1. PLANNING ECE ENVIRONMENTS

2. Guides to Space Planning
The fixed features of a building can constrain its interior design. Where possible, the fixed features should be kept to a minimum to allow for greater flexibility. For example, try to keep to the minimum of two doors per room and avoid built-in partitions.

3. Other factors affecting space organization:
STATE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
PROGRAM GOALS
GROUP SIZE
SCALED TO THE SIZE OF OCCUPANTS
PLANNED TRAFFIC PATTERNS

4. DON’T FORGET TO ALLOW FOR:
ENTRANCE AREA
YOUR (DIRECTOR’S) OFFICE SPACE
ISOLATION AREA
KITCHEN
STAFF ROOM
BATHROOMS

5. DEVELOP AN OVERALL PLAN
USE A COMPUTER PROGRAM OR USE GRAPH PAPER AND
TEMPLATES FOR YOUR DESIGN

6. CONSIDER THE PLAN’S USE…
TRAFFIC PATTERNS: the way children move within the classroom is important!

7. CREATE YOUR LEARNING ‘ZONES’

8. ECE BASIC ACTIVITY ‘ZONES’ INCLUDE:
BLOCKBUILDING/WOODWORKING
ART
DRAMATIC PLAY
SENSORY
SLEEPING
SMALL MANIPULATIVE
LANGUAGE
MUSIC
PRIVATE
SCIENCE
TECHNOLOGY
EATING
DISPLAY OF CHILDREN’S WORK

9. Decide what activity areas
are needed and locate them
in the appropriate zone.

10. Create a space for each area.
This space includes storage
for items used in that area. It
communicates possibilities
and limitations.

11. A ‘BIRD’S –EYE’ VIEW OF A PLAN