Lighting solutions
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Kindergarten lighting needs to combine good visibility, visual comfort, safety and the flexibility to use the same room for different activities throughout the day. The design should therefore begin with photometric calculations for playrooms, sleeping rooms, corridors, dining spaces and outdoor areas rather than with the selection of decorative “children's” luminaires.
Young children also interact with lighting differently from adults. They play on the floor, frequently look upwards and spend time lying down, which makes direct glare, light distribution and luminaire positioning particularly important.
Photometric design predicts how light will actually reach the areas where children play, draw, eat and move. The model takes account of room dimensions, mounting heights, windows, furniture, working surfaces and the reflectance of ceilings, walls and floors.
LDT or IES data for the selected luminaires can then be used to calculate illuminance, uniformity, glare and light distribution. This allows the number and position of luminaires to be determined from actual performance rather than from floor area or luminaire wattage alone.
A kindergarten playroom may be used for free play, drawing, table activities, reading and group sessions within a single day. EN 12464-1:2021 specifies a maintained illuminance of 300 lx for playrooms in nursery schools and preschools, with Ra ≥ 80.
Illuminance alone is not enough. The design also needs to consider uniformity, luminaire brightness within the children's field of view and illumination of vertical surfaces. Diffuse light distribution and appropriate luminaire positioning can help avoid strong bright points directly above areas where children spend time on the floor.
Lighting controls can provide different operating modes, for example full functional light for table activities, a lower level for quiet play and a separate cleaning or service scene.
A sleeping room should not simply use the same lighting solution as a playroom. During rest periods, low-level light can provide orientation without placing bright sources directly within the field of view of children lying down. At other times, staff still need sufficient light for preparation, cleaning and supervision.
Dimming or separate lighting groups can provide Rest, Preparation and Cleaning scenes. This means that sufficient functional lighting remains available without using it throughout the children's sleeping period.
The answer depends on where the luminaire is installed and whether children can reach the equipment. Fixtures need to be securely mounted, while cables, drivers and other electrical components should remain inaccessible in play areas.
The designer should also assess the risk of mechanical impact, the required ingress protection for damp or outdoor locations, mounting conditions and safe maintenance access. Where luminaires are directly within children's normal field of view, optical systems and diffusers that reduce direct glare are particularly useful.
EN 12464-1:2021 specifies 100 lx at floor level for circulation areas and corridors in educational buildings and 150 lx for stairs. The main objective in these spaces is to make routes, doors, steps and changes in level clearly visible.
Presence sensors may be useful in selected circulation areas, but controls need to reflect the way the building is used. Lighting should not suddenly switch off in a zone occupied by children simply because a sensor has failed to detect movement for a short period.
EN 12464-1:2021 gives a base maintained illuminance of 200 lx for school canteens. In a kindergarten, the design should also account for child-sized furniture, table positions, daylight and the relationship between the dining area and food-serving zones.
Kitchens and food preparation areas should be treated separately because their visual tasks and working conditions are different. This allows the dining space to remain pleasant without applying the higher lighting levels required for food preparation throughout the entire room.
Outdoor planning begins with the routes and areas that are genuinely used after dark: entrances, paths, steps, building approaches, collection points and any playground areas with evening use. The entire site does not need to be illuminated to the same level.
Outdoor luminaires should be selected for the relevant weather exposure and potential mechanical impact. Their optical distribution and aiming should limit glare, unwanted light towards windows and unnecessary spill beyond the kindergarten grounds.
Emergency lighting is an independent safety system and should not depend on normal lighting scenes. EN 1838:2024 defines lighting requirements for escape routes, open areas and safety equipment locations when the normal power supply fails.
In a kindergarten, emergency lighting should be coordinated with exits, corridors, stairs and evacuation routes during the design stage. Escape signs need to remain clearly identifiable when the normal lighting system is unavailable.
The process can begin with architectural drawings and the intended function of each room. Photometric calculations are then used to determine luminaire selection and positioning, followed by the definition of control groups and coordination with the electrical and emergency lighting systems.
Polaris Lighting provides photometric calculations, light-distribution analysis, LDT/IES files, BIM/3D documentation, luminaire selection and supply, and technical support during project implementation. The company's public project portfolio also includes the Palavite Malchugani children's centre in Sofia.
Polaris Lighting provides lighting and photometric design, appropriate lighting solutions, controls and emergency and escape lighting for kindergartens. Contact us if you need a lighting design or a lighting upgrade for a kindergarten.
