Preparing the Environment

What will your child care center look like??

Learning Targets

• I can explain the value of planned indoor & outdoor space

• I can name the basic activity areas in a center along with the functions of each area

• I can list criteria to consider when choosing playroom furniture & color schemes

• I can summarize factors that affect the organization of space in a center

• I can organize basic activity areas of the classroom & outdoor playground

Chaos vs Structure

• In a developmentally appropriate, well-organized environment – children grow & learn

• Teacher is responsible for creating a pleasing environment

• It should promote self-help & independent behavior

• Classroom arrangement = reflects program quality

Value of Planned Space

• Early years = crucial for cognitive development

• Before arranging classroom – review development objectives of program

• Attractive, well arranged classroom is welcoming & visually pleasing

• Safety = IMPORTANT

Goals of Well-Planned Space

• Physical safe environment• Areas that promote cognitive, emotional, social

& physical growth• Abundance of material (choices) • Provide adults with space easy to supervise• Pleasing to both kids & adults• Easy access to material• Space with high activity & low stress where

children can work & play comfortably

What are the 7 physical spaces of a child care center?

Physical Space

• Seven main areas:1. Entrance

2. Director’s Office

3. Isolation area

4. Kitchen or Kitchenette

5. Staff room

6. Bathrooms

7. Classrooms or playrooms

Entrance

• Attractive

• Appealing to children & adults

• Plants, children’s artwork, bulletin boards for families

• Chairs & a sofa nice additions, if space allows

Director’s Office

• Located just inside the center’s entrance

• School records, children’s records & public relations material – stored

• Be used for family interviews & conferences

• Small table for teacher meetings & planning sessions

Isolation Area

• Most states require centers to provide a special room or space for children who become ill or show signs of a communicable disease

• Room – often called isolation area, should contain cot & a few toys

• No space – a cot in the director’s office when needed

Kitchen

• Size depends on the amount of food prepared daily

• Even if no meals are prepared on site, many have a small area with a sink, refrigerator & stove for preparing snacks

• Local health department – inspects it• Floor – easy to clean• Vinyl coverings & ceramic tile are

recommended for kitchen, bath & art

Staff Room

• Adults need area for own use

• Staff room – locked storage space

• Coat rack, sofa, tables, desks

• Computer, telephone, professional journals, curriculums should be made available

• Used for meetings with families & other staff memebers

Bathroom

• Most states have laws • Some states require one toilet for every 10 children• Size of fixtures depends on size & age of children

– 2 yrs old – 10 inches from the floor– 5 yrs old – 13 inches from the floor

– No small fixtures – wooden step • Safety – water heater – low setting• Flooring – easy to clean (tile), not slippery• Avoid waxing this area

Indoor Environment

• Classroom/play area – ground floor close to an exit

• Rectangular room – best shape for optimal supervision– Allow for many space arrangements

• Studies – increase in aggression that lack adequate space

• 35 – 100 square feet per child

• At 35 sq ft - Recommended amount from National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)– Not included: hallways, built-in cabinets, closets or toilets,

equipment

Bell Work

• Identify the seven main areas

• How many sq ft is recommended for each child

• How many toilets should a daycare have

Walls

• Paint – lead-free, washable

• Bulletin boards

• Chalk board (eye level)

• Audiovisual board – serve as a bulletin board, chalk board & movie screen– Costly – magnetic strips

Floors & Windows

• Floors – Recent trend – carpet

• Easy to maintain• Adds warmth• Provides sound cushion• Visual appeal• Comfort• Warmth• Flat, firm surface

– Minimize balance problems

• Windows– Placed so children can

see outside– Screens should be

installed– All windows should

open (fire)– Drapes/blinds –

control light• Watch for dirty hands

– valance

Doors, Electrical Outlets, & Temperature

• Doors– Lightweight– Push out to open– Doorknobs – low

enough where kids can reach them

• Electrical Outlets– Safety – above

children’s reach– Not in use – safety caps– No long extension cords

• Temperature– Important – kids

cannot attend to or process information in an uncomfortable environment

– 68 – 70 F

Acoustics

• Studies – noise affects children’s behavior• This reason – make an effort to use materials

that reduce or eliminate noise

• Acoustic Material – used to deaden or absorb sounds– Carpet, drapes, pillows, bulletin boads

• If classroom is noisy – acoustic tile may be installed on the ceiling– 10 – 12 feet tall to reduce noise & provide feeling of

spaciousness

Furniture

• Durable, washable & stackable

• Tables & easels – adjustable

Chairs, Tables & Storage Units

• Chairs– Proper height– Plastic, stackable chairs– Rocking chair (adult size)

• Tables – Hard, smooth & washable– Light enough to move– Seat 4 – 6– Rectangle – more space –

less aggression

• Storage Units – Organized for easy

access of equipment & supplies

– Should be arranged to encourage children to independently remove & return materials

– Locks– Match height of kids– Sliding doors are best

Lockers & Cubbies

• Children learn responsibility

• Should be labeled (depending on the age)

• Preschool = 10 – 12 inches wide, 10 – 15 inches deep, hook for jacket

• Primary purpose – store clothing

• Cubbies – top sections of lockers used to store finished artwork, library books, parent letters & other valuable items– No cubbies, containers should be provided

Lockers & Cubbies

• Should have a coat of paint or varnish

• Prevent staining from muddy boots or wet paints

• Placed near entrance

• Save family time when picking up kids

• Class is not disrupted

• Time for cleanup due to weather

Color Choice

• Careful selection • Cool colors

– Looks pleasant & feel spacious– Makes a room appear larger– Create a feeling of openness

• Warm colors– Make a room seem smaller– Studies show that kids prefer warm colors until

6

Color Choices

• Amount of light will affect choice

• White is used often due to colorful materials

Review/Quiz• Identify the seven main areas

• Identify the minimum sq footage

• Identify the toilet/child ratio.

• What should each classroom have?

• What are three goals when planning high quality space?

• What color should the walls be? Why?

• What should the temp be?

• Where should everything (basically) be placed?

Factors that affect Space Organization

• Licensing Requirements

• Program Goals

• Group Size

• Scale

• Traffic Patterns

Organizing Basic Activity Areas

• Classrooms arranged to activity areas – ideal learning environment

• Activity area – space of its own

• Each area – defined, but flexible – shelving L or U shaped

• Arranged by function – wet or dry, loud or quiet

Introduce Activity Areas

• Where materials are

• What activities

• Safety & clean up rules

• Routines for using & replacing materials

• Labels & signs = comfort, self-directed learners, encourage children to return materials

Block building Area

• Sorting, grouping, comparing, arranging, cooperating,

• Carpeted area

• Provide other items (zoo animals, farm animals, people, traffic signs

• Low cabinets for storing

Art Area

• Near water source

• Space – groups or individuals

• Materials – easy to maintain

• Label

Dramatic Play Area

• Home living or house

Sensory Area

• Sensory table (water or sand table)

• 2-3 year old love this

Wood working areas

• Children enjoy decorating what they created

Sleeping Area

• Most preschool children rest or nap after lunch

• Most states – licensing rules & regulations require rest/nap under 5

• Space – states require at least 2 ft of space between each cot

Small Manipulative Area

• Dry, quiet area

• Puzzles, sewing cards, stringing beads,

• Small motor skills

Language Area

• Quietest part of the room

• Next to manipulative area

• Books, magazines, paper, pens

• Pillows, carpet

Music Area

• Instruments, tapes, records, CDs & players, puppets

• Movement & dancing room

Private Space

• Children can be alone

• Classroom rule

• Loft – unique way

• Space – small, not visible to other kids, but teacher must be able to see

Science Area

• Wet, active area

• Table, materials,

• Plants, animals

Technology Area

• Quiet, dry place

• Child sized area

Eating Area

• When space is available, provide a separate eating area

• Cooking activities

• Easy service & cleanup

Areas for 1, 2, 3 & 4 yr old rooms

• Block building• Art• Dramatic Play• Sensory• Sleeping – required• Small Manipulative• Language

• Music • Private • Science• Technology• Eating – required• Cubbies & Lockers -

Outdoor Play Environments

• Developmentally appropriate programs value outdoor & indoor play

• Children need to take part in both• Classrooms – not enough room to move• Required number of sq ft differs depending on

state• 75 – 200 sq ft per child• Rectangular space – most functional• U or L shaped – more difficult to supervise

Planning the Playground

• Empty space & wheeled vehicle path

• Wheeled vehicle path – divides activity areas of the playground

• Without it kids may bump into one another

• Empty space – located near the center of the playground

Planning the Playground

• Equipment far enough apart so that you cannot touch another kid on a different piece of equipment

• All equipment – visible to teacher

• Children should not walk through one area to get to another

• Between 1/3 & ½ of playground used for play equipment, remainder – open space

Planning the Playground

• Fencing – Most states requires

fencing for safety– Two types:

• chain link– Observe the outside

• Wood– Be careful, kids

should not be able to climb

• Surface– Portion – grass

• Best for running & organizing games

– Under equipment – for safety loose material (bark nuggets, shredded bark or sand)

• Good cushion 9 -12 inches

• Usually will pile up in one spot – must be raked often

Planning the Playground

• Landscaping – Pleasant surroundings– Science programs– Trees – good source of

shade, beauty & sound control

– Hills in playground – develop large motor skills

– Consult a landscape architect – some plants poisonous

• Storage Shed– Tricycles, wagons,

scooters, shovels, etc – Arranged so children

can return materials themselves

– Painted lines on floor shed for wheeled toys

Planning the Playground

• Wheeled toy paths– Key for two reasons

• Safety– One way traffic

pattern

• Protection of outdoor play area

– Joined to storage shed

– Designed with curves instead of sharp angles

• Stationary Equipment– Jungle gyms, slides,

tree houses– Set permanently in the

ground for stability– Appeal – place large

pieces in different corners

– Safety – spacing, age appropriate

Planning the Playground

• Sandbox– Children will play in it

for long periods of time

– Sunny area – sunburn

– Therefore, place in shady area

– No shade – build a roof

– Place near water source – more detailed structure

– Build cover – (cats)

• Water– Pleasant activity

during warm weather– Constant supervision

is necessary– Garden hose –

sprinker

Planning the Playground

• Animal shelter– If you have animals– Watch for licensing

requirement

Remember

• Properly organized space if key to promoting children’s learning

• Space should reflect children’s developmental needs, interests & experiences as well as program goals.