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The licensing criteria for early learning services require that your space has ventilation that allows fresh air to circulate.  

Good ventilation removes stale air and replaces it with fresh, clean air while keeping the indoor temperature at no lower than 18 degrees Celsius.  

Early learning services should be ventilated either naturally or mechanically. Maintaining good air quality by regularly refreshing the air in a space reduces the risk of spreading illnesses.  

Indicators that a space may not be well-ventilated include:

  •  a feeling of stuffiness  
  • lingering smells  
  • elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.  

Download our guidance on ventilation for early learning services. 

pdf thumbnailEvaluation of ventilation in early learning services
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pdf thumbnailDifferent types of ventilation in early learning services
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Natural ventilation#

Most New Zealand early learning services are designed with good natural ventilation using windows that can be opened.  

Improve ventilation at your early learning service by:  

  • opening all windows and doors, partially or fully, whenever you can  
  • not waiting for a space to get stuffy before opening windows and doors  
  • avoiding uncomfortable draughts by opening lots of windows a little way, rather than opening a few windows all the way
  • opening windows before people arrive  
  • opening windows and doors on opposite sides of the room (including to internal corridors or other spaces), so air can flow between them
  • making sure all staff know how to open the windows  
  • making sure windows are not blocked by items like furniture, artwork or teaching materials.  

Check windows and doors  #

You should regularly check for any property issues that may need to be resolved, such as:

  • all windows and doors which were designed to open can still open – unstick windows that may have been fixed or painted shut  
  • replacing missing or broken window winders, hinges, catches, security stays, or closers  
  • correct any alterations which may be stopping good ventilation.  

Refresh the air inside your early learning service regularly#

Refresh breaks, also known as a reboot, means fully opening windows and doors for a short time to flush a space with fresh air. The air will be refreshed more quickly if nobody is in the room at the time.  

If your reboot does not take away any stuffiness and quickly reduce CO2 levels, the windows and doors may need to be open for a longer time.    

After your refresh break, use a CO2 monitor to check if levels have reduced.  

Ventilation in different seasons and weather#

During colder or hot weather, when you use heating or cooling systems, it can be less practical to fully open windows and doors. You can still ventilate by opening windows a little way. The bigger the temperature difference between the outside and inside, the more fresh air will be drawn inside.  

You can ventilate in cold weather while still keeping the room warm by:  

  • heating the room before the start of the early learning service day, so you can open windows when people arrive
  • keeping the heating on throughout the day, with windows partially opened
  • keeping lots of windows open a little and opening them further if it warms up outside  
  • refreshing the indoor air at least 4 times a day by fully opening all the windows and doors.  

In warmer weather, if you are using your cooling system with windows and doors closed, you should reset the room by:  

  • moving everyone to another room
  • opening doors and windows for a short time
  • running your cooling system again before everyone comes back in.  
pdf thumbnailTips for good ventilation during colder weather
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Use a CO2 monitor to check if your ventilation is working.  

If your space is still not well-ventilated, try:  

  • opening high-level windows first and wider than low level windows, to reduce the risk of cold draughts in the room
  • closing doors before you begin closing windows  
  • closing or partially close any windows directly facing the worst weather conditions while leaving others open  
  • keeping wet clothes out of activity spaces as this makes the room more difficult to heat  
  • changing the room layout to move children away from open windows and other areas with cooler air or draughts.  

Mechanical ventilation#

There are a number of different types of mechanical ventilation you can use in your early learning services.

Download information on where to put an air purifier in your early learning service and how to use it, and technical advice on how to use a ducted ventilation system.

pdf thumbnailTechnical advice for ducted mechanical ventilation systems
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pdf thumbnailWhere to put your portable air cleaner
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pdf thumbnailHow to use your Samsung air purifier
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Buy ventilation products with our discount#

Early learning services can buy air purifiers, replacement filters and portable CO2 monitors at a discounted price from our suppliers.  

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