As part of a municipal initiative to reduce the cost of living, the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality decided to lower the entrance fee to municipal early childhood indoor playrooms to just 5 NIS per ticket. This significant benefit resulted in an overwhelming influx of users, leading to considerable wear and tear. However, it also brought public and municipal attention to the untapped potential of more than 30 community centers spread across the city, most of which feature “Gymboree”-style play spaces.
These municipal indoor playrooms are typically equipped with soft play equipment focused on gross motor skill development. To enhance their potential, we upgraded the existing infrastructure to create spaces that encourage diverse play types, support multiple developmental pathways for toddlers, foster parent-child interaction, and spark imagination. Recognizing the potential of indoor playrooms to provide adventurous, developmentally rich experiences, and given their presence in most city neighborhoods, we developed the Indoor playroom architectual guidelines, a professional framework for designing and operating early childhood play areas.
In light of the diversity and independent management of community centers, we opted for a strategic approach by creating the Play Spaces Framework. This initiative provides accessible, professional guidance for designing indoor playrooms for toddlers and their caregivers. The goal is to encourage community center managers to incorporate early childhood development principles into the planning process in collaboration with their selected teams of designers, architects, and professionals.
To develop the guidelines, we assembled a professional team comprising representatives from the Construction, Maintenance, and Safety Division of the Community Administration and the Public Buildings Division, an external architect, relevant field professionals, and the Urban95 team. The process included extensive research on indoor playrooms in Israel and abroad, as well as observations and in-depth exploration of early childhood developmental needs and ways to support them.
During the process, we identified a significant nationwide challenge: the lack of established planning guidelines for play spaces. This gap has resulted in unclear design considerations, such as material selection and compliance with standards, and uncertainty regarding the authority responsible for approvals.
The guidelines we developed is the first of its kind, providing comprehensive guidelines for constructing and operating play spaces. It offers principles for planning and design alongside recommendations for play elements and equipment. To ensure a holistic approach, we addressed key questions such as: How can spaces be designed to accommodate multiple age groups? What lighting is best for an infant lying on their back? How can noise be effectively managed? What materials are most suitable? Which elements can support diverse developmental needs? How should the space operate at different times of day? And importantly, what role does the adult caregiver play, and how can their needs be met?
For the first time in Israel, comprehensive research on early childhood development has been compiled into a single document with clear, practical, and innovative guidelines for designing and operating municipal indoor playrooms.
Partnering municipal units: The Community, Culture, and Sports Administration: the Construction and Maintenance Division, Deputy Division Managers, Community Center Managers, the Public Buildings Division.
For more information, contact Chen Alfia at Alfia_chen@mail.tel-aviv.gov.il.
