Checklist and Design Recommendations for the Interiors of Korean, Eco-healthy Childcare Facilities

As children are known to touch and chew everything, green cleaning procedures are an important step in preventing children from ingesting harmful toxins. The objectives of this study are to develop a new, self-evaluation checklist and to suggest design recommendations which comply with easy, adaptable, economical ways to improve the eco-friendly indoor environment of Korean childcare facilities. The information compiled during this study was collected through literature review and internet surveys from July, 2009 to February, 2010. The results of this study show that the current Korean childcare accreditation system and practices emphasize clean building interiors, policies for sanitation and cleanliness, and control of humidity and lighting. On the other hand, the information provided by green-building rating systems from GBCC, LEED, and GBTool offers additional and comparative details regarding indoor environment quality and standards regarding the IAQ performance and management plan, ventilation and thermal comfort systems, views from windows, acoustics, and lighting. In conclusion, this document provides an appropriate and easy-to-follow, self-evaluation checklist composed of eight criteria and 51 practical items. This study also provides the design recommendations composed of 27 practical ideas focusing on interior elements. Both the checklist and design recommendations I have suggested can be a post-occupancy tool for evaluating eco-healthy facility standards as well as tips for continuing to maintain eco-healthy childcare facilities.