Abstract
The integration of environmental policies with political support for action on these policies is of prime significance for mobilization and progression of improving indoor environments. However, state licensing agencies and local county ordinances for child care centers do not universally follow these policies and standards. As a result, most early childhood educational programs operate without proper indoor environments. Indoor air quality, temperature, ventilation, daylighting, and acoustics are crucial factors for educational settings in early childhood education. This study documents the physical environment in early childhood education centers in three counties in Maryland. Results indicate that building performance and indoor air quality standards vary according to the socioeconomic status of children who attend early childhood programs, and environmental factors correlate with educational achievement (as measured by kindergarten readiness scores).
Highlights
The integration of environmental policies with political support for action on these policies is of prime significance for mobilization and improving indoor environments
Most early childhood educational programs operate without proper indoor environments as defined by the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC; 2008), even though the negative consequences of doing so are clear
We theorized that thermal comfort, better indoor air quality and ventilation, improved acoustics, and better lighting in preschools would improve kindergarten readiness scores
Summary
The integration of environmental policies with political support for action on these policies is of prime significance for mobilization and improving indoor environments. Temperature, ventilation, daylighting, and acoustics are crucial characteristics of early childhood educational settings. This article documents a statistical sample of early childhood facilities in three counties in the Eastern Shore of Maryland and their level of compliance with indoor environmental policies. The results indicate that building performance and indoor air quality are low in early education facilities. SAGE Open interdisciplinary research project that examines young children’s interactions with their physical environment (indoor air quality, temperature, ventilation, daylighting, and acoustics), a topic that has not received enough attention from other researchers
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
