Towards Safer and Healthier Childcare Facilities: Evaluating Environmental and Safety Standards in Daycare Centers in Dubai
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Classification and Standards for Daycare Centers
2.2. Current IEQ Standards in Daycare Centers
2.3. Research Methods
- Large-scale: 430 m2 or more
- Medium-scale: 200–429 m2
- Small-scale: Less than 200 m2
3. Results
3.1. Management Status and Regulatory Compliance by Facility Size
3.2. Current Status of Physical Environment Factors
3.3. Current Status of Cleanliness and Maintenance Factors
3.4. Evaluation of Cleanliness, Safety, and Management of Daycare Centers
3.5. Maintenance Assessment by the Size of Daycare Center
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Category | PM10 (µg/m3) | CO2 (ppm) | HCHO (µg/m3) | Total Suspended Bacteria (CFU/m3) | CO (ppm) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maintenance Criteria | Less than 100 µg/m3 | Less than 1000 ppm | Less than 100 µg/m3 | Less than 800 CFU/m3 | Less than 10 ppm |
Category | NO2 (ppm) | Rn (Bq/m3) | TVOC (µg/m3) | Asbestos (unit/cc) | O3 (ppm) |
Recommendation Criteria | Less than 0.05 ppm | Less than 148 Bq/m3 | Less than 400 µg/m3 | Less than 0.01 unit/cc | Less than 0.06 ppm |
District | Large Size (430 m2 or More) | Medium Size (200–430 m2) | Small Size (Less than 200 m2) | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deira | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
Al Barsha | 2 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
Umm Suqeim | 0 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
Dubai Marina | 4 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
Business Bay | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
Total | 9 | 13 | 6 | 28 |
IEQ Factors | Measuring Equipment | Measuring Method | Measuring Location |
---|---|---|---|
Temperature/Humidity | Extech HD500 (Extech Instruments, Nashua, NH, USA) | Instantaneous Measurement | Daycare Room, Corridor, Outdoor |
Noise | TES-1355 (TES Electrical Electronic Corp., Taiwan) | 10-min Measurement | |
CO | Testo 350 | 30-min Measurement | Daycare Room, Corridor |
CO2 | Testo 350 | 30-min Measurement | |
PM | Temtop PMD351 | 30-min Measurement | |
HCHO | Temtop PMD331 | 5-min Measurement | |
Illuminance | Hioki FT3424 | Instantaneous Measurement |
Category | Methods | Factors | |
---|---|---|---|
IEQ | Physical Environments | Measurements | Air |
Noise | |||
Illuminance | |||
Temperature/Humidity | |||
Maintenance | Site Survey | Cleanliness | |
Facility Management | |||
Evaluation | Cleanliness | ||
Safety | |||
Management |
Category | Large | Medium | Small | Mean | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Floor Area (m2) | 595.2 | 277.2 | 140.0 | 337.5 | |
Facility Area (m2) | 547.1 | 261.6 | 128.1 | 312.3 | |
Number of Faculty and Staff (Person) | 14.6 | 8.2 | 5.0 | 9.3 | |
Number of Infants and Toddlers | Full Capacity | 95.3 | 54.0 | 26.1 | 58.5 |
Current | 83.2 | 46.3 | 23.6 | 51.0 |
IEQ Factors | Large Size (9 Centers) | Medium Size (13 Centers) | Small Size (6 Centers) | Mean | Standards Deviation (±) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Temperature (°C) | Daycare Room | 27.4 | 27.8 | 27.9 | 27.8 | 0.26 |
Corridor | 28.2 | 27.6 | 28.8 | 28.1 | 0.49 | |
Outdoor | 28.4 | 29.2 | 29.8 | 29.1 | 0.77 | |
Humidity (%) | Daycare Room | 61.9 | 58.7 | 60.6 | 60.2 | 1.61 |
Corridor | 65.6 | 62.8 | 61.4 | 63.5 | 2.12 | |
Outdoor | 68.7 | 62.8 | 68.6 | 66.0 | 3.46 | |
CO (ppm) | Daycare Room | 0.78 | 0.53 | 0.33 | 0.57 | 0.23 |
Corridor | 0.33 | 0.46 | 0.33 | 0.39 | 0.08 | |
CO2 (ppm) | Daycare Room | 1049.2 | 748.7 | 943.2 | 887.1 | 125.56 |
Corridor | 603.5 | 578.3 | 718.5 | 616.4 | 76.12 | |
HCHO (µg/m3) | Daycare Room | 43.6 | 49.4 | 41.2 | 45.8 | 4.14 |
Corridor | 73.6 | 48.4 | 23.3 | 51.2 | 25.41 | |
PM10 (µg/m3) | Daycare Room | 13.0 | 14.8 | 12.8 | 13.8 | 0.84 |
Corridor | 15.6 | 13.5 | 13.8 | 14.3 | 0.84 | |
Noise (dB) | Daycare Room | 72.4 | 73.38 | 67.2 | 71.9 | 3.06 |
Corridor | 67.8 | 66.2 | 71.4 | 67.9 | 2.62 | |
Outdoor | 71.9 | 71.6 | 69.7 | 71.3 | 1.15 | |
Illuminance (lux) | Daycare Room | 517.2 | 442.4 | 417.0 | 525.3 | 52.92 |
Corridor | 257.0 | 290.9 | 210.5 | 261.8 | 40.90 |
Category | Factors | Large Size (9 Centers) | Medium Size (13 Centers) | Small Size (6 Centers) | Mean | Standards Deviation (±) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall Indoor Space Maintenance | Whether ventilation and air purification facilities are available | Air Purifier (1 Center) Ventilation Fan (1 Center) | N/A | Ventilation Fan (2 Centers) | - | - |
Average number of mechanical ventilations per day | 1.5 (2 Centers) | N/A | Occasionally (2 Centers) | - | - | |
The average number of natural ventilations per day | 3.2 (9 Centers) | 3.5 (13 Centers) | 3.5 (6 Centers) | 3.4 | 0.17 | |
Number of cleanings per day | 2.1 (9 Centers) | 1.8 (13 Centers) | 2.6 (6 Centers) | 2.17 | 0.40 | |
Regular disinfection, cleaning frequency per month | 2.3 (9 Centers) | 1.5 (13 Centers) | 1.2 (6 Centers) | 1.67 | 0.55 | |
Regular washing and disinfection of mats and bedding per month | 2.3 (9 Centers) | 3.5 (13 Centers) | 2.3 (6 Centers) | 2.7 | 0.69 | |
Frequency of regular disinfection of cleaning tools and trash cans per month | 2.3 (9 Centers) | 3.5 (13 Centers) | 1.8 (6 Centers) | 2.53 | 0.85 | |
Kitchen | Frequency of daily kitchen cleaning | 2.6 (9 Centers) | 2.2 (13 Centers) | 2.7 (6 Centers) | 2.5 | 0.25 |
Type and availability of Ventilation | Hood Fan (9 Centers) | Hood Fan (13 Centers) | Hood Fan (6 Centers) | - | - | |
Availability of Window Screen | Window Screen (8 Centers) No Window (1 Center) | Window Screen (12 Centers) No Window (1 Center) | Window Screen (5 Centers) No Screen (1 Center) | - | - | |
Bathroom | Frequency of daily bathroom cleaning | 1.4 (9 Centers) | 1.3 (13 Centers) | 1.5 (6 Centers) | 1.4 | 0.10 |
Type and availability of Ventilation | Exhaust Fan (6 Centers) No Fan (3 Centers) | Exhaust Fan (9 Centers) No Fan (4 Centers) | Exhaust Fan (5 Centers) No Fan (1 Center) | - | - | |
Air-Conditioning Facilities | Central A/C | 9 | 13 | 6 | - | - |
Fire Extinguisher Equipment | Fire Extinguisher | 9 | 13 | 6 | 9.3 | 3.51 |
Sprinkler | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3.7 | 1.15 | |
Simple Sprinkler | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.3 | 0.58 | |
Alarm Equipment | Emergency alarm system | 9 | 11 | 5 | 8.3 | 3.06 |
Automatic fire detection system | 9 | 9 | 5 | 7.7 | 2.31 | |
Automatic fire alarm system | 9 | 10 | 5 | 8.0 | 2.65 | |
Gas leak alarm system | 9 | 11 | 6 | 8.7 | 2.52 | |
Shelter Facilities | Emergency exit | 9 | 13 | 6 | 9.3 | 3.51 |
Emergency stairs or slides for infants and toddlers | 9 | 10 | 6 | 8.3 | 2.08 | |
Escape guidance lights | 9 | 13 | 6 | 9.3 | 3.51 |
Category | Contents | Evaluation | Mean | Standards Deviation (±) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Large | Medium | Small | |||||
Cleanliness of Indoor Space | Are the entrance, hallway, passageway, stairs, and windows consistently clean and tidy? | 2.7 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.77 | 0.06 | |
Are all indoor spaces, including daycare areas and shared spaces, well-maintained regarding cleanliness and hygiene? | 2.7 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 2.70 | 0.10 | ||
Cleanliness of daycare room | Floor | 3.0 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.87 | 0.12 | |
Window and window frame | 2.6 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 2.73 | 0.23 | ||
Locker | 2.9 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 2.87 | 0.15 | ||
Basket | 2.8 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 2.80 | 0.20 | ||
The back corner of the locker | 2.6 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 2.70 | 0.26 | ||
Total | 19.3 | 18.6 | 20.4 | ||||
Cleanliness of Kitchen | Are the kitchen sinks and floor drains clean and free of food debris? | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.83 | 0.06 | |
Are countertops, sinks, and dish cabinets always kept clean and sanitary? | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.77 | 0.06 | ||
Are the kitchen’s gas ranges, hoods, and exhaust fans cleaned daily to avoid stains? | 2.7 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.50 | 0.20 | ||
Are there facilities for sterilizing dishes and ensuring hygienic food preparation and cooking? | 3.0 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.83 | 0.15 | ||
Total | 11.4 | 10.9 | 10.5 | ||||
Cleanliness of Bathroom | Are bathrooms and washrooms equipped with essentials like dry towels, soap, toilet paper, and trash cans? | 2.6 | 2.6 | 2.8 | 2.67 | 0.12 | |
Are toilets cleaned frequently to ensure they remain clean at all times? | 2.7 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.83 | 0.15 | ||
Are cleaning tools and necessary supplies readily available to maintain the cleanliness of bathrooms and washrooms? | 2.9 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.90 | 0.10 | ||
Are cleaning tools stored safely out of reach of infants and toddlers? | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.50 | 0.20 | ||
Are the bathroom and sink floors free from water or soap stains? | 3.0 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.83 | 0.15 | ||
Are personal toothbrushes adequately managed? | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.83 | 0.06 | ||
Is there a dedicated area for dental care? | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.50 | 0.10 | ||
Is the ventilation sufficient to prevent odors? | 2.3 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.37 | 0.12 | ||
Total | 20.5 | 20.0 | 20.8 | ||||
Overall Indoor Safety | Is the front door secured to prevent infants and toddlers from leaving unsupervised and to block unauthorized entry? | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.80 | 0.00 | |
Are all doors accessible to infants and toddlers equipped with finger-trapping prevention devices? | 2.6 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 2.13 | 0.68 | ||
Are storage units in hallways or playrooms designed with heavy items stored at the bottom for stability, and are shelves equipped with supports to prevent items from falling? | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.83 | 0.06 | ||
Are hallways, stairs, and playroom bulletin boards securely fixed to prevent them from falling? | 2.9 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.97 | 0.06 | ||
Are the floors of stairs, bathrooms, and washrooms equipped with anti-slip measures to prevent falls? | 2.7 | 2.9 | 2.5 | 2.70 | 0.20 | ||
Is the hot water temperature controlled with safety measures to prevent burns from excessively high temperatures? | 2.4 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 2.67 | 0.30 | ||
Total | 16.2 | 16.9 | 15.4 | ||||
Kitchen Safety | Is the kitchen area separate from the activity areas for infants and toddlers? | 2.9 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 2.90 | 0.10 | |
Are kitchen facilities installed in locations inaccessible to infants and toddlers? | 2.9 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.97 | 0.06 | ||
Do all childcare workers effectively supervise and manage infants and toddlers to prevent them from entering the kitchen? | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.00 | 0.00 | ||
Total | 8.8 | 9.0 | 8.8 | ||||
Daycare Room Safety | Are window guards installed on accessible windows to prevent falls? | 2.1 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 1.83 | 0.52 | |
Are cords cut short to prevent infants and toddlers from entanglement or tripping if curtains or blinds are present? | 2.7 | 2.1 | 2.3 | 2.37 | 0.31 | ||
Are safety covers installed on electrical outlets in the nursery? | 2.3 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 2.13 | 0.29 | ||
Are long wires and cords managed to ensure they are out of reach and not pose a tripping hazard for infants and toddlers? | 2.7 | 2.2 | 2.5 | 2.47 | 0.25 | ||
Are the nursery’s protruding radiators or heating facilities equipped with protective devices such as fences? | 2.9 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.97 | 0.06 | ||
Are desks, chairs, and teaching aids undamaged, with rounded corners or smooth surfaces, or equipped with corner guards? | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.00 | 0.00 | ||
Are teaching aids placed stably to prevent easy movement by infants and toddlers, with heavy objects stored at the bottom, and are shelves securely installed to avoid falling objects? | 2.9 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 2.93 | 0.06 | ||
Is the electric fan fitted with a safety cover and installed safely out of the reach of infants and toddlers? | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.0 | 2.33 | 0.35 | ||
Are safety measures in place to prevent infants and toddlers from touching hot water from the water purifier installed in the nursery? | 3.0 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.93 | 0.12 | ||
Is the nursery floor evenly installed to prevent infants and toddlers from tripping on raised or uneven surfaces? | 3.0 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 2.97 | 0.06 | ||
Total | 27.1 | 24.2 | 26.3 | ||||
Overall Outdoor Safety | Are sandpits, natural and artificial grass, rubber mats, and waste tire blocks safely and securely installed in the outdoor playground? | 3.0 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.93 | 0.12 | |
Are outdoor air conditioning units, LPG gas tanks, or similar equipment installed in areas inaccessible to infants and toddlers? | 2.6 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.73 | 0.12 | ||
If such equipment is accessible to infants and toddlers, are safety covers in place to prevent contact? | 2.6 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.73 | 0.12 | ||
Is the foundation of the daycare center structurally safe and stable? | 2.7 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.90 | 0.17 | ||
Are maintenance hole covers adequately secured and safe? | 2.8 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.93 | 0.12 | ||
Are there any puddles, uneven surfaces, rusted parts, or potential electrical hazards in the outdoor area? | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 2.73 | 0.06 | ||
Are there any hazardous items, such as piles of wood, broken furniture, or other heavy objects, in the yard or corners of the daycare center that could pose a safety risk? | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.8 | 2.83 | 0.06 | ||
When infants and toddlers play outdoors, is the play area adequately protected from vehicle access? | 2.6 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 2.73 | 0.23 | ||
Total | 21.9 | 22.5 | 23.2 | ||||
Access Area Management | Is the main entrance easily accessible from the road? | 2.4 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.73 | 0.31 | |
Is there a height difference between the road and the main entrance? | 2.8 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.93 | 0.12 | ||
Is the internal main entrance door a swing door that allows easy access? | 2.9 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.80 | 0.10 | ||
Are the doors in daycare rooms sliding, with no steps, allowing easy access to the space? | 2.0 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.77 | 0.50 | ||
Are there additional facilities available to accommodate individuals with disabilities? | 1.5 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 1.20 | 0.26 | ||
Total | 11.6 | 11.8 | 10.9 | ||||
Lighting Management | Are appropriate windows or tints installed to regulate lighting effectively? | 2.9 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 2.83 | 0.21 | |
Are suitable blinds installed to control lighting as needed? | 2.8 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 2.53 | 0.25 | ||
Does the daycare center receive sufficient natural lighting? | 2.8 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 2.90 | 0.10 | ||
Is sunlight adequately utilized without excessively blocking by heavy tints or curtains/blinds drawn throughout the day? | 2.9 | 2.7 | 3.0 | 2.87 | 0.15 | ||
Are appropriate lighting fixtures available throughout the daycare center, including in activity areas? | 3.0 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.93 | 0.12 | ||
Are indoor lighting facilities functioning properly and well-maintained? | 2.9 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 2.93 | 0.06 | ||
Total | 17.3 | 16.4 | 17.3 |
Category | Large Size (9 Centers) | Medium Size (13 Centers) | Small Size (6 Centers) | Level (Mean) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Earned Score/Full Score | Level | Earned Score/Full Score | Level | Earned Score/Full Score | Level | ||
Cleanliness of Indoor Space (7 Questions) | 19.3/21.0 | 0.92 | 18.6/21.0 | 0.89 | 20.4/21.0 | 0.97 | 0.93 |
Cleanliness of Kitchen (4 Questions) | 11.5/12.0 | 0.96 | 10.9/12.0 | 0.91 | 10.5/12.0 | 0.86 | 0.91 |
Cleanliness of Bathroom (8 Questions) | 20.6/24.0 | 0.86 | 20.2/24.0 | 0.84 | 20.8/24.0 | 0.87 | 0.86 |
Overall Indoor Safety (6 Questions) | 16.2/18.0 | 0.90 | 16.9/18.0 | 0.94 | 15.4/18.0 | 0.86 | 0.90 |
Kitchen Safety (3 Questions) | 8.8/9.0 | 0.98 | 9.0/9.0 | 1.0 | 8.8/9.0 | 0.98 | 0.97 |
Daycare Room Safety (10 Questions) | 26.6/30.0 | 0.89 | 24.5/30.0 | 0.85 | 26.3/30.0 | 0.88 | 0.86 |
Overall Outdoor Safety (8 Questions) | 21.9/24.0 | 0.91 | 22.5/24.0 | 0.94 | 23.2/24.0 | 0.97 | 0.94 |
Access Area Management (5 Questions) | 17.3/18.0 | 0.96 | 16.2/18.0 | 0.90 | 17.3/18.0 | 0.96 | 0.94 |
Lighting Management (6 Questions) | 11.7/15.0 | 0.78 | 11.8/15.0 | 0.79 | 10.9/15.0 | 0.73 | 0.76 |
Total Achieving Level (Mean) | - | 0.91 | - | 0.89 | - | 0.89 | - |
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Jung, C.; Elsamanoudy, G.; Abdelaziz Mahmoud, N.S. Towards Safer and Healthier Childcare Facilities: Evaluating Environmental and Safety Standards in Daycare Centers in Dubai. Buildings 2025, 15, 953. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060953
Jung C, Elsamanoudy G, Abdelaziz Mahmoud NS. Towards Safer and Healthier Childcare Facilities: Evaluating Environmental and Safety Standards in Daycare Centers in Dubai. Buildings. 2025; 15(6):953. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060953
Chicago/Turabian StyleJung, Chuloh, Gamal Elsamanoudy, and Naglaa Sami Abdelaziz Mahmoud. 2025. "Towards Safer and Healthier Childcare Facilities: Evaluating Environmental and Safety Standards in Daycare Centers in Dubai" Buildings 15, no. 6: 953. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060953
APA StyleJung, C., Elsamanoudy, G., & Abdelaziz Mahmoud, N. S. (2025). Towards Safer and Healthier Childcare Facilities: Evaluating Environmental and Safety Standards in Daycare Centers in Dubai. Buildings, 15(6), 953. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060953