Surveys on sonic environment and inhabitants' awareness around childcare facilities

Acoustic measurements and questionnaire surveys were conducted to investigate the sonic environment in areas surrounding childcare facilities. Sound source type, percentage of time that each sound was generated and A-weighted sound pressure level were measured using repeated measurements throughout 1 year. Questionnaire surveys asked residents about the sounds typically heard from childcare facilities, the perceived pleasantness of each sound, and residents' personal attributes. Measurements indicated that childcare workers' voices and marching band performances were prominent during the athletic meet season, whereas children's voices were dominant throughout the year. The questionnaire revealed that many respondents preferred sounds associated with children's activities, such as children's voices and musical instruments, despite the high sound levels and percentage of time associated with these sounds. In contrast, sounds not caused by children's activities, such as the noise of cars picking up and dropping off children and childcare workers' voices were evaluated as unpleasant, although they had relatively low sound levels and were generated for a low percentage of the time. Experiences of participating in public events and willingness to participate in public events were related to positive opinions about the establishment of new childcare facilities.