Best practice suggests that Head Start center design comply with the following guidelines:

• Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The design must accommodate children and adults with disabilities. (Refer to Accessibility Standards in Appendix A.)
• Historic Preservation Act. Modification of historic buildings or buildings deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places must follow specific guidelines. The guidelines affect a structure with the following characteristics:
• At least fifty years old (or will be when the renovation is completed).
• Deemed to be exemplary of a particular style.
• Historically significant in terms of events related to the building.
• Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG), US EPA, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. Through this document, EPA designates items that must contain recycled content when purchased by federal, state, and local agencies, or by government contractors using appropriated federal funds. Under E.O. 13101 EPA is required to update the CPG every 2 years.
• The Energy Policy Act of 1992. The center design should minimize energy use. It should use the life-cycle costing methodology in estimating and comparing investment decisions involving capital and operating costs. Mechanical systems and introduction of features, such as overhangs to diminish energy use, are examples of such considerations.
• Head Start centers must comply with state and local licensing regulations and any other applicable standards.
• In addition, there should be discussions about including sustainable features in the design during the initial stages of the project. This emphasis on non-toxic green building is explained further in Appendix B.