Index
Index ………………………………………………………………………………….......
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1
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Purpose…………………………………………………………………………………...
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2
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Commencement..………………………………………………………………………..
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2
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Application ………………………………………………………………………………..
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2
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Referral Agency ………………………………………………………………………….
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2
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Compliance with the Queensland Development Code………………………….……
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2
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Associated Requirements ………………………………………………………………
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3
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Referenced Standards…………………………………………………………………..
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3
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Definitions…………………………………………………………………………………
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3
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Notes………………………………………………………………………………………
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4
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Division A - Limited Hours Care Centres
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6
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Accessibility……………………………………………………………………………….
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6
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Indoor play facilities………………………………………………………………………
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7
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Outdoor play facilities…………………………………………………………………….
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8
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Toilet Facilities…………………………………………………………………………….
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9
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Nappy change facilities………………………………………………………………….
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10
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Personal washing facilities……………………………………………………………...
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10
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Food preparation facilities……………………………………………………………….
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11
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Laundry facilities ………………………………………………………………………...
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11
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Outdoor storage facilities………………………………………………………………..
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11
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Sluicing facilities ………………………………………………………………………….
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11
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Play pits …………………………………………………………………………………..
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12
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Electrical safety precautions…………………………………………………………….
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12
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Equipment and chemical safety…………………………………………………………
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12
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Division B - Child Care Centres (other than Limited Hours Care Centres)
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14
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Accessibility……………………………………………………………………………….
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14
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Indoor play facilities ……………………………………………………………………..
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15
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Outdoor Play Facilities............................................................................................
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16
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Toilet Facilities……………………………………………………………………………
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17
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Nappy change facilities………………………………………………………………….
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18
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Personal washing facilities………………………………………………………………
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19
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Food preparation facilities……………………………………………………………….
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20
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Laundry facilities………………………………………………………………………….
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21
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Outdoor storage facilities………………………………………………………………..
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21
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Sleeping facilities for a child care service catering for children aged less than 15 months…………………………………………………………………………………….
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22
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Bottle preparation areas for a child care service catering for children aged less than 15 months……………………………………………………………………………
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22
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Administration facilities…………………………………………………………………..
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23
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Purpose
The purpose of this part is to facilitate achieving a suitable physical environment and facilities in child care centres that –
(a) safeguard children from harm by ensuring safe and hygienic conditions; and
(b) foster optimal development of children by providing a suitable environment.
Commencement
This version of MP 5.4 commences on 6 August 2012 and replaces the version published on 21 November 2011.
Application
This part applies to Child Care Centres licensed under the Queensland Child Care Act 2002.
Division A - applies to Limited Hours Care Centres
Division B - applies to all other services licensed under the Child Care Act 2002
Note 1: This part does not apply to new Education and Care Services approved under the National Quality Framework (the framework). The framework consists of the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010, the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) Act 2011.
From 1 July 2012 the majority of long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, pre-Prep and kindergarten services are covered by the framework.
For existing services transitioning to the framework, building requirements continue based on the requirements in place when the building approval application for the construction or renovation of the service was lodged. New education and care services will be subject to the building requirements in the National Construction Code (NCC) and the Framework.
Versions of this part:-
Version 1 – Commenced 1 September 2003, expired 31 October 2004
Version 2 – Commenced 1 November 2004, expired 15 December 2005
Version 3 – Commenced 16 December 2005 expired 31 December 2007
Version 4 – Commenced 1 January 2008 expired 31 December 2011
Version 5 – Commenced 1 January 2012 expired 6 August 2012
Note 2 The applicable version is the version in effect when the application for building approval was made. Previous versions can be found at the Department of Housing and Public Works website –
www.publicworks.qld.gov.au
Referral Agency
Under the Sustainable Planning Regulation 2009, Schedule 7, the chief executive administering the Child Care Act 2002 is a referral (concurrence) agency for alternative solutions under part MP 5.4
Compliance with the Queensland Development Code (QDC)
Under section 14 of the Building Act 1975, compliance with this part can be achieved only by:
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complying with the relevant acceptable solution for the performance criterion; or
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formulating an alternative solution that complies with the performance criteria or is shown to be at least equal to the relevant criteria; or
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a combination of (a) and (b).
Associated Requirements
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Child Care Act 2002.
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Child Care Regulation 2003.
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Building Regulation 2006.
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NCC incorporating the Building Code of Australia (BCA).
Referenced Standards
Standard No
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Date
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Title
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AS 1926.1
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2007
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Swimming pool safety - Fencing for swimming pools
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AS 1926.2
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2007
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Swimming pool safety – Location of fencing for swimming pools
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AS 2155
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1982
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Playgrounds – Guide to setting and installation and maintenance of equipment.
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AS/NZS 3000
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2000
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Electrical Installations
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AS/NZS 3000.4
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1997
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National Plumbing and Drainage – Hot water supply systems – Performance requirements.
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AS/NZS 4422
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1996
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Playground surfaces- Specifications, requirements and testing methods.
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AS 4685.1
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2004
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Playground equipment – General safety requirements and test methods.
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AS 4685.2
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2004
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Playground equipment – Particular safety requirements and test methods for swings.
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AS 4685.3
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2004
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Playground equipment – Particular safety requirements and test methods for slides.
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AS 4685.4
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2004
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Playground equipment – Particular safety requirements and test methods for runways.
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AS 4685.5
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2004
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Playground equipment – Particular safety requirements and test methods for carousels.
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AS 4685.6
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2004
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Playground equipment – Particular safety requirements and test methods for rocking equipment.
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Definitions
Note 3: Italicised words within the body of the text are defined.
Centre based service is a service for regularly providing child care in premises that are not a home.
Child care centre means the premises in which child care is provided under licence issued in accordance with the Child Care Act 2002 for a centre based service.
Functional area means either a part of or an adjunct to an indoor play area, which is used for ancillary purposes such as program preparation, bottle preparation, nappy changing, toilets, washing facilities, food preparation or the like.
Group or age group means children of like nominated ages accommodated together in a child care centre.
See Note 4 for information on maximum group sizes
Indoor play area means an enclosed area located within the premises.
Licensed capacity for a child care centre means the maximum number of children to whom child care may be provided at any one time under the licence issued under the Child Care Act 2002. The licensed capacity of a service may not be set at more than 75 for any time other than for the stated periods on the licence totalling not more than 2 hours each day. For these stated periods, the requirements of this part shall be based on the service's usual licensed capacity rather than the increased capacity during the 2 hour period.
Limited hours care centre means premises licensed pursuant to the Child Care Act 2002 from which a child care service operates. A licensee may provide care to children at a limited hours care centre under its licence conditions and operate –
(a) with a licensed capacity of not more than 30 children; and
(b) for a maximum of 20 hours a week.
Outdoor play area means an area within the premises that is not enclosed and is located outside the external walls of the building.
Outdoor play facilities means facilities that provide an environment suitable for a range of play activities, including gross motor activities, located in an area separated from and in addition to an area where indoor play facilities are located.
See Note 5 for more guidance on outdoor play facilities.
Premises means the building and the associated outdoor play areas from which a child care centre may operate.
School child means a child, other than a preschool child, who regularly attends a school at which the child is enrolled.
Unimpeded access will allow children to enter an adjoining toilet facility and outdoor play area but should not prevent a gate or similar used to contain children safely within an indoor or outdoor play area.
Notes for this part of the QDC
The following guidance notes are provided for this part of the QDC:
Note 4: - Maximum group sizes
For child care centres the maximum number of children in each group is as follows:
Ages of children in group
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Maximum group size
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Other limits
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Birth to 2 years
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8
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Birth to 3 years, including at least 1 child aged 3 years
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10
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The group may not include more than 2 children aged birth to 1 year for each qualified carer.
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15 months to 3 years
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10
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2 to 3 years
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12
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2 ½ to 3 years
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16
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3 to 6 years
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24
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4 to 6 years
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25
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4 to 12 years, including at least 1 child of more than 6 years
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no maximum
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The group may not include more than 13 children aged 4 or 5 years
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Ages for which no other entry applies
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21
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The group may not include more than 4 children aged birth to 1 year.
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The group may not include more than 2 children aged birth to 1 year for each qualified carer.
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If the group is in a centre based service with a licensed capacity of more than 30, the group may not include more than 10 children aged birth to 2 years.
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