1. Preparing Environments for Young Children

2. Well Designed Spaces Are Based On
Children’s needs
Program goals
Children’s Interests

3. Goals of a Well Planned Space
Safe environment
Promote and support all areas of development
Easy to supervise
Attractive
Encourage active involvement

4. Basic Areas of A Center Entrance Director’s Office Isolation Area
Kitchen
Staff Room
Bathroom
Classroom

5. Activity Areas Block building (A) Art (Q) Science (Q)
Imaginative/Dramatic Play (A)
Library (Q)
Music (A)
Eating (Q)
Group Area (A/Q)
Woodworking (A)
Large Motor play (A)
Fine Motor Play (Q)
Sensory (A)

6. Value of Activity Areas
Art Area
Learn names of colors & shapes
Develop eye-hand coordination
Experience creative process
Library Area
Increases vocabulary
Learn care of books.
Develop listening skills.
Block building Area
Develop problem-solving
Develop large & small motor skills
Science Area
Develop new vocabulary
Understand physical environment
Small Manipulative Area
Practice problem solving
Practice matching color, sizes, shapes.
Music Area
Develop language skills
Experience creative process
Express feelings
Dramatic Play Area
Develop various roles.
Develop social relationships

7. Organizing Basic Activity Areas
Arrange by function
Wet vs. dry
Active vs. quiet
Sensory and science = wet/active
Art, eating, and cooking = wet/quiet
Woodworking, block building = dry/active
Sleeping, reading = dry/quiet

8. Arranging Basic Activity Areas
Active
Wet
Dry
Quiet

9. Tips on Designing Your Center
Rectangle is the best shape (23’6” x 30’6”)
Your floor plan must have 4 doors (1 main entry, 1 emergency exit and 1 to kitchen and 1 to bathroom)
Select 6 activity areas
Arrange storage areas in U and L shapes for best use of space.
Group quiet areas with quiet areas and active areas with active areas.

10. FURNITURE Durable, washable and stackable Storage units well organized
Chairs and tables child size
Lockers and cubbies child size, near entrance

11. COLOR CHOICES Color effects emotions
Studies show children under 6 prefer warm colors
Cool Colors
Blue, Green, Violet
Warm Colors
Red, orange, yellow

12. Rainy Day Child Care