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 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.