Abstract

Various sources mention the excessive noise levels in the rooms and play areas of daycare centres. Noise levels and doses above 90 dB have already been measured in several of these centres. The reduction in the number of children per room, the choice of less noisy activities and toys, and the installation of cushioned pads and tennis balls under chair legs are some solutions that have reduced noise. The reduction in reverberation time is another technical means that should be more widely used to reduce the noise level. The Association sectorielle pour la santé et la sécurité du travail – Affaires sociales (ASSTSAS, joint sector-based occupational health and safety association – Social Affairs) has expressed its need for a practical guide on this subject.
The company Soft dB is proposing a preparatory study for collecting all relevant information and points of view on this subject in order to define the most appropriate technical content possible for such a guide in order to ensure maximum success in its use and an improved acoustical environment in daycare centres.