Change of use planning for preschool

monkstowngirl

Hi everyone,
I am considering setting up a preschool 3.5 hrs mornings only).
There is a prefab behind a local church that has been there for 20 years. It was originally put there for use when the local school was being refurbished and is now used for occasional church meetings.
Does anybody know if I would need change of use (not material as I am not changing anything structurally) to operate a preschool there.
I have done a detailed search of the planning applications and haven't found any other applications regarding preschools in community centres where there was no material alteration.
In the UK I know I would be exempt as their use classes are very clear.
Any help would be much appreciated:)

Gumbo

Most likely planning for change of use and you would need parking or set down provision. You will also need a Fire Safety Certificate and a Disability Access Certificate.

BryanF

kceire wrote: »

Most likely planning for change of use and you would need parking or set down provision. You will also need a Fire Safety Certificate and a Disability Access Certificate.

and then you'll get a dose of Hiqa;)

rayjdav

^^ +1

As BryanF states, but be it the HSE:eek:

I have done a couple of pre-school/crèche facilities over the years and tbh they are buggers to please at the best of times.

Best thing to do is contact your local HSE offices and get speaking to the inspector. They will/used to anyway, forward you on all the relevant regs and guidelines. You need so much space per child, depending on age and so many staff per child/age, inside/outside covered/open play areas etc etc etc......

Would advise you do this first to see if the premises meet criteria before you spend any more time on it.

monkstowngirl

Thanks all for taking the time to reply to me. I know all about the HSE regulations regarding ratio, safety, etc.
It was more just the planning aspect of it as most, if not all, of the other preschools in community centres and school buildings are operating without planning permission.
I will try to get some clarification from the preschool officer.
Thanks again

Gumbo

monkstowngirl wrote: »

Thanks all for taking the time to reply to me. I know all about the HSE regulations regarding ratio, safety, etc.
It was more just the planning aspect of it as most, if not all, of the other preschools in community centres and school buildings are operating without planning permission.
I will try to get some clarification from the preschool officer.
Thanks again

How do you know all the other local places don't have planning?
They wouldn't last long open without the required PP and associated certs.

monkstowngirl

Hi,
I sat down and did a search of every planning application where I knew a preschool was operating in a community hall/parish hall. I found virtually none. The only ones I found were where there was a material alteration being done to the building.
Thanks

Gumbo

monkstowngirl wrote: »

Hi,
I sat down and did a search of every planning application where I knew a preschool was operating in a community hall/parish hall. I found virtually none. The only ones I found were where there was a material alteration being done to the building.
Thanks

What council boundary do they fall under?

monkstowngirl

I checked various councils around Dublin and Wicklow just to make sure that it wasn't just one particular council.
I am looking at another hall that has parking, set down area, fire and disability cert in place so those are not an issue.

Gumbo

monkstowngirl wrote: »

I checked various councils around Dublin and Wicklow just to make sure that it wasn't just one particular council.
I am looking at another hall that has parking, set down area, fire and disability cert in place so those are not an issue.

OK, i could of helped out if you can PM me a specific address within DCC boundary.

Just remember the Hall has to be specifically designed for creche/day care use.

The Fire cert may need an active management plan to allow for the safe escape of children etc so dont assume the an already exisitng FSC and DAC will cover you as once you lodge planning permission for change of use, then you also need to lodge for a new FSC and DAC.

HTH.

monkstowngirl

Hi,
Thanks for your help.
Ill send you a pm of a few examples.
It's not daycare that I would be providing. It's a Montessori school for children between 2.5-5. I don't know if that would make a difference with the fire safety cert, etc? The room in the hall has been recently renovated and runs a Sunday school so all safety features are in place for young children.

Gumbo

monkstowngirl wrote: »

Hi,
Thanks for your help.
Ill send you a pm of a few examples.
It's not daycare that I would be providing. It's a Montessori school for children between 2.5-5. I don't know if that would make a difference with the fire safety cert, etc? The room in the hall has been recently renovated and runs a Sunday school so all safety features are in place for young children.

Planning may be required to extend the opening hours to Mon-Fri. Maybe somebody here would be able to check that?

monkstowngirl

The hall is open mon to fri currently to other groups such as baby yoga, parent and toddler, etc ( in a different room).

Gumbo

monkstowngirl wrote: »

The hall is open mon to fri currently to other groups such as baby yoga, parent and toddler, etc ( in a different room).

Sounds like you need professional representation tbh.
It sounds like you will be changing the use of it and thus the requirement for a DAC and FSC is required, but professional representation will be able to weed out the details to see if your covered or not.