flow of fresh air into a room and stale air out of that same room. How can ventilation be improved? Very easily, just start with the five things below. Five things you could do right now to help stop the rapid spread of viruses such as COVID-19 and RSV in your classroom: 01. First thing in the morning and before you leave at night, wipe down common surfaces with disinfectant or sanitiser and throw open all doors and windows for 5 to 10 minutes to refresh the inside air – even if you have mechanical ventilation. Viruses and bacteria love to grow on surfaces and in the air overnight in still warm rooms. 02. If you have natural ventilation in your centre, make sure you keep the windows or doors open during the day – even if it's just a crack on those colder and wetter days. And don't forget the sleep rooms! 03. If your centre is mechanically ventilated, check the vents in all rooms and bathrooms – are they growing a horrible grey fur – if they are, request them to be cleaned. 04. If you use heat pumps, check when they were last cleaned, as the grey fur will grow in here too. Also, note - heat pumps do not provide fresh air. They only heat or cool air already in the room. So when using a heat pump, ensure you still have at least two windows open at least a crack - one to bring fresh air in and the other to let stale air out. 05. Keep your room dust-free - do the shelf and under moveable furniture check! You will be surprised what you find…especially under that rug… Phil and Tiffany Smith, owners of Collingridge and Smith Architects (CASA), have specialised in designing world-class education architecture for over 20 years in NZ, Australia and the UK. They believe in creating beautiful human spaces based on research that brings together architecture and evolutionary psychology. They have been recognised for their achievements in sustainable early childhood architecture with their designs achieving many local and international awards for centres including Three Trees Learning Centre, Campbells Bay Early Learning Centre, Fantails Childcare, Chrysalis Early Learning Centre, Kristin Early Learning, New Shoots Children's Centres and Te Mirumiru Childhood Education Centre. Website: www.casa-uk.com First thing in the morning and before you leave at night, throw open all the doors and windows for 5 to 10 minutes to refresh the inside air – even if you have mechanical ventilation (Tiny Voices, Hobsonville Auckland. Photography by Jono Paker). December 2021 { 31 }
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