National Quality Framework
Education and care service indoor and outdoor
space
Fact Sheet and Space Measurement Form | May 2015
This information below outlines the indoor and outdoor space requirements for centre -based services operating
under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (National Law) and the Education and Care
Services National Regulations 2011 (National Regulations).
An approved provider of an education and care service must ensure that for each child being educated and cared for by
the service, the education and care premises has at least 3.25 square metres of unencumbered indoor space and at least
7 square metres of unencumbered outdoor space, (regulation 107 and regulation 108). This does not include children
being educated and cared for in an emergency under regulation 123(5).
When applying for a new service approval, or amending an existing service approval, the approved provider must submit
calculations that have been completed by a registered building practitioner (except for an education and care service
providing education and care to children over preschool age on a school site, or in the circumstance of an education and
care service relocating to alternative premises for not more than 12 months).
Who is a registered building practitioner?
A registered building practitioner is defined in the National Regulations as (regulation 4):

a person who is registered as a building surveyor, building inspector or draftsperson under a law of a participating
jurisdiction

a person who is registered as an architect under a law of a participating jurisdiction

a person who is licensed as a surveyor under a law of a participating jurisdiction

a person who is licensed or registered as a building certifier under a law of a participating jurisdiction

a person who is accredited under a law of a participating jurisdiction to design buildings that will be used to
provide education and care services.
Space requirements -indoor space
The unencumbered indoor space at the education and care service premises should be provided in accordance with
regulation 107 of the National Regulations.
In calculating the area of unencumbered indoor space the following areas are to be excluded:

any passageway or thoroughfare (including door swings)

any toilet and hygiene facilities

any nappy changing area or area for preparing bottles

any area permanently set aside for the use or storage of cots

any area permanently set aside for storage

any area or room for staff or administration

the area of a kitchen (unless the kitchen is primarily to be used by children as part of an educational program
provided by the service).

any other space that is not suitable for children.
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Furniture in ‘home corners’, mobile open shelving offering toys and equipment directly to children, and chairs and tables
are not considered to encumber the play space, as they are an integral part of children’s play area and are moveable.
The area of indoor space must be exclusively available to the service during the time it is operating. For example, a library
or hall that is available to an outside school hours care service on an ad hoc basis cannot be counted as part of the indoor
space.
The area of a verandah may be included in calculating the indoor space only with the written approval of the Regulatory
Authority. A verandah that is included in calculating the area of outdoor space cannot be included in calculating the area of
indoor space (regulations 107(4) and (5)).
Space requirements - outdoor space
The unencumbered outdoor space at the education and care service premises should be provided, in accordance with
regulation 108 of the National Regulations.
In calculating the area of unencumbered outdoor space required, the following areas are to be excluded—

any pathway or thoroughfare, except where used by children as part of the education and care program

any car parking area

any storage shed or other storage area

any other space that is not suitable for children.
Regulation 108 outlines the minimum requirements for area of outdoor space in a centre-based service. Approved
providers should also consider that the outdoor environment is not only for children to release energy and engage in
physical activity, but also for exploration, problem solving and creative expression. As far as possible, it is suggested that
outdoor areas should include a variety of area surfaces such as sand, grass, mounds, flat areas and hard surfaces.
Circumstances for services providing education and care for children over preschool age
For services that provide care and education to children over preschool age, an area of indoor space may be included in
calculating the available outdoor space with the written approval of the regulatory authority, provided it has not already
been used in calculating the indoor space.
Further Information
The Department of Education and Training is the Regulatory Authority in Victoria.
Phone: 1300 307 415
Email: licensed.childrens.services@edumail.vic.gov.au
Web: www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/regulation
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Area Measurements
This form should be used to verify the indoor and outdoor space of an education and care service in accordance with
regulation 107 and regulation 108 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 (National Regulations),
at the time of application for service approval – centre-based or application for amendment of service approval. If you
require more space to record the measurements, please photocopy additional pages and attach them to the
application.
Details of education and care service
1.
Name of education and care service
2.
Address of education and care service premises (PO boxes cannot be accepted)
Unit, floor, street number and street name
Suburb/Town
Postcode
State
VIC
Details of person conducting and certifying the area measurements
3.
Title (Mr etc)
Family Name
Given names
Daytime telephone number
4.
Is the education and care service premises on a school site providing education and care to children over preschool
age or an education and care service relocating to alternative premises for not more than 12 months?
No
5.
Email address

Yes
Go to question 5

Go to question 6
What type of building practitioner are you?
Building surveyor
Building inspector
Building certifier
Licensed surveyor
Draftsperson
Architect
Other
Please specify:
What is your registration number?
Where are you registered or licensed to practice?
Area measurements – Indoor Space
6.
Space requirements – indoor space
Room number or name (must match
the room number or name on the
service plans)*
Floor area (sqm)
Unencumbered area
divided by 3.25 sqm.
Number of children
Office use only
(Office use only) Total
3
7.
Are there any areas of indoor space set aside permanently for the use and storage of cots?
No
8.

Yes
Go to question 9
Go to question 8
Area/s set aside permanently for use and storage of cots
Indoor room number/name provided on floor plan or
diagram*
9.

Number of cots permanently
stored
Total floor area (sqm) deducted
from area measure
Is there any area of verandah space included in the indoor space measurement?
No

Yes
Go to question 11

Go to question 10
10. Please complete
Verandah Space (must match the number or
name on the service plans)*
area (sqm)
Unencumbered area
divided by 3.25 sqm.
Number of children
Office use only
Area measurements – Outdoor Space
11. Space requirements – outdoor space
Outdoor space (must match the number
or name on the service plans)*
Outdoor area (sqm)
Unencumbered area
divided by 7 sqm.
Number of children
Office use only
(Office use only) Total
12. Measurements of indoor space being used as outdoor space - only applicable for services that educate and care for
children over preschool age
Indoor space number provided on floor
plan or diagram*
Floor area (sqm)
Divide area by 7 sqm.
Number of children
Office use only
(Office use only) Total
Certification and signature of person conducting measurements
I certify that the information in this application is true and correct and the measurements were conducted in accordance
with the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and Education and Care Services National Regulations
2011.
I confirm that in calculating the areas of unencumbered indoor and outdoor space that areas prescribed in the National
Regulations have been excluded.
Signature
Date
X
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