4. To Measure or Not to Measure

Measuring Exceptions?

“In order to determine Adjusted Design Capacity, I must know how much space I have (i.e., what square footage is available for use by children). I know that my CDC was measured just last year, but the paperwork has been misplaced. Does this mean we have to measure the center again?”

Measuring square footage is necessary before Adjusted Design Capacity can be determined.

Unless there is reliable documentation that the Adjusted Design Capacity has been determined previously, you must measure your CDC! You must also have a complete and accurate Worksheet 2-B to prove it.

Module/Room Measurement Guidelines

“Ok, so I use data from Worksheet 2-A, Parts 1 and 2 to determine which rooms need to be measured. Don’t I need to refer to some guidelines as well?”

That’s correct, Pamela. Simply put:

• If you want to put more children in a room than the current program (posted) capacity of a room/module, you have to measure.
• If the number of children you want to put in a room doesn’t exceed the current program (posted) capacity of a room/module, then you don’t have to measure.

You also need to measure if:

• Your CDC has never been “re-adjusted.”
• You have some real concerns about the accuracy of measurements taken before your arrival on the job.
• You are not following the Ground Rules.

Ground Rules

If Current Program (Posted) Capacity Exceeds Potential Capacity

If current program (posted) capacity exceeds potential capacity, the room/module is functioning at the most efficient number.

• The potential capacity becomes the Adjusted Design Capacity for this room/module.
• Complete Section A on the last Worksheet 2-A, Calculation of Adjusted Design Capacity for One Module.

Select the Show Me button to view a demonstration of this process (when NOT to Measure Viewlet_8-Worksheet_2A_Adjusted_Design_Capacity.swf).

Viewlet9: When to Measure

Viewlet 10: Facility

If Current Program (Posted) Capacity Does Not Exceed Potential Capacity

If current program (posted) capacity does not exceed potential capacity, it will be necessary to determine Maximum Capacity based on usable space. You will need to double-check the square footage by measuring the space.

• Measure space to determine raw square footage.
• Determine Usable and Non-usable Space.
• Determine adjusted square footage (a – b = c).
• Determine Maximum Module Capacity (based on ratios).
• Determine Adjusted Design Capacity for Module.

This completes this form for the one module.

• Areas and equipment used for child development activities (e.g., art easels, sand/water tables, low shelves with toys) count as usable space. Even items such as cribs count in this square footage because we are using 55 square feet per infant instead of 35.
• Storage: Be careful! Some are tricky — for example a low, labeled built-in shelf stocked with children’s toys and materials that children have access to is considered usable space.
• The diaper changing area counts as usable space since children are being changed constantly throughout the day. Caregivers are interacting with children while they are attending to their diapering.
• Cubbies count as usable space if cubby space is being used as activity space. In many of the CDCs, cubby space is used for more than just hanging up coats. Children and parents use the area twice per day to transition from home to the CDC. Children routinely go back and forth in the cubby area to get things out or put things into their cubby, sit in their cubby, talk to their friends in the cubby area, etc. In addition, many programs have activities set up in the area for children to do. This might include putting roll paper along the walls and crayons/paint to create murals, or allowing other activities such as “Bowling Alleys” or car ramps to take place there. In this case, the space is usable.

• A storage cabinet used to store excess equipment and materials that children do not have access to is considered non-usable space.
• Toilets do not count as usable space because:
  • The Army Standard Design Child Development Center does not consider square footage in the toilets/bathrooms as usable space.
  • Army Regulation 608-10, 5-30b(1) excludes toilets as usable space.
  • The military Handbook that outlines facility design criteria for all the Services does not include toilets/bathrooms in usable space.
  • The “industry norm” (meaning what is happening in individual states) for building CDCs does not include bathroom square footage when determining spaces.
• Cubbies do not count as usable space if children simply put their coats in the cubbies and are not permitted there the rest of the day or if the fire department says it’s a “corridor” to get out of the building and not wide enough to be considered an area.
• Walk-in closets do not count as usable space.

Determine Maximum Capacity and Calculate Adjusted Design Capacity

“Once I’ve determined Adjusted Square Footage and recorded it, what’s the next step?”

The next is step is to determine Maximum Capacity based on the groups you plan to assign to a module. Maximum Capacity is the total number of children who could be in this module. It does not include staff.

To determine Maximum Capacity, divide the square footage number by the allotted space per child, according to the ages planned for that space. The result is the maximum number of children that could be in the module at any given time.

There are four steps for determining and recording Maximum Capacity:

• Determine Allotted Square Feet per Child based on age and ground rules.
• Calculate Maximum Capacity.
• Compare Maximum Capacity with Potential Capacity.
• Add the ratio clusters plan for this module to determine your Maximum Capacity.

• 55 sq.ft. for each infant
• 44 sq.ft. for each infant/pre-toddler in sleeping space
• 35 sq.ft. for all other children