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Establishing an Ideal Daycare Space
Most regulatory agencies for child care state that you need to have at least five activity areas within a classroom (fine motor, art, imaginative play, block play and literacy), not to mention extra activities such as science, sand and water, math and music and movement. The only problem with this is how is a teacher able to establish the various areas when his or her classroom is the size of a large walk-in closet.
The following are ways a teacher can make the most of their learning environment.
Combining the Activity Areas
Place the activity areas that share like materials or help to develop similar skills together. An example of this is by combining the fine motor and art area, science and math, or science and sand and water. When you condense the areas, you are creating more room for play in the individual activity areas, while still providing the needed materials.
Use Multi-Use Furniture
Don't get a piece of furniture that has only one use. Get something that you can use in various ways. For instance, some products offer a tabletop and storage in one. This unit would work perfectly in a small area that requires work surface and storage for materials, such as a fine motor or math areas. A double-sided storage piece is always great for maximizing your space without taking away from the needed storage.
Movable Furniture
It would be great to have a sand and water table available in the classroom at all times; however, it may not always be possible due space constraints. Therefore, place a sand and water table in a central location within the facility and move it from classroom to classroom as needed. By doing this, all of the children have to opportunity to experience the fun of sand and water play, but you are not occupying the needed space.
Clear It Out
Clear the clutter out of the classroom. Inventory the material that you use in the classroom. If you have not used it with in the past six months, get rid of it. If anything is broken or damaged in any way and can not be immediately repaired, throw it away.
Create a Lending Library
Create an area outside of the classrooms, preferably in a lounge or director's office, for materials that can be rotated in and out of the classrooms.
For example, if you have three different type of block play animals (farm animals, jungle animals and sea creatures), instead of placing them all in the classroom at one time, leave one set in the classroom and the other two sets in the lending library area.
By doing this, you are able to minimize the shelf space that is needed in the particular area, while still having the opportunity to check out the other sets. An added plus is that other classrooms have the possibility of using the materials within their classrooms, and your children will not become bored with the same things day in and day out.
How to Establish a Child’s Environment
You also need to make sure that you’re establishing an ideal environment for a child. Here are five things that your daycare space needs to communicate to the children in your care.
1. This is a good place to be.
Neutral colors are used on the walls and bright colors are used selectively to highlight interest areas or mark storage area on shelves. Furniture is clean and well maintained. Wall decorations are largely made up of children's art and displayed at their eye level.
Large spaces of blank wall are provided so that children are not overwhelmed. Decorations such as plants, pillows and colorful tablecloths are used in the classrooms.
2. You belong here.
There are cubbies where each child can keep personal things with each child's name and/or picture inside. Furniture is child sized and in good condition. Pictures on the wall, in books, and in learning materials include people of different ethnic backgrounds, economic means, and people with disabilities. Children's artwork is displayed and protected. Materials, equipment, and furniture are adapted so children with disabilities can be involved in all areas of the classroom. Materials are reflective of the children's home life and culture.
3. This is a place you can trust.
A well-defined schedule is provided so children learn the order of events that occur each day. Pictures illustrate the schedule so children can "read" it. Consistency is provided in routine, such as eating, napping and toileting. Shelves are neat and uncluttered, and materials are labeled so children can find what they needed.
4. You can do many things on your own and be independent.
Materials are sorted on low shelves, encouraging children to select and use materials. Materials are logically organized and located in areas where toys and materials belong. Labels and printed materials are in the home language of the children. An illustrated job chart shows what each child's responsibilities are. Open spaces outdoors encourage children to use their bodies freely.
5. This is a safe place to explore and try out your ideas.
There are protected and defined quiet areas for small group activities.
This article is courtesy of DaycareAtoZ.com.
Product Roundup
Berries from Jonti-Craft
Jonti-Craft has announced the addition of the Berries plastic chairs to its lineup of children’s furniture. Their child-friendly design promotes seating comfort, durability and attractive styling. Each chair features a polypropylene shell that is easy to clean, prevents blushing and dissipates annoying static electricity. Additionally, Berries plastic chairs are made using heavy gauge steel frames and have non-exposed rivets to prevent snags. Berries plastic chairs are available in either chrome legs or matching powder-coated legs and come in five heights and six colors.
www.jonti-craft.com
Hohner Kids Play & Rock
Hohner has introduced a new musical toy line, Hohner Kids Play & Rock. Featuring quality rhythm, wind, and early childhood musical toy products, along with attractive packaging, Hohner Kids targets the growing early childhood market segment. Hohner Kids addresses this market by providing engaging products, as well as contemporary and colorful packaging. All products feature a value-added insert with songs and playing activities developed by a certified music educator for each instrument.
www.hohnerusa.com
Kwik-Covers
The Kwik-Cover is a custom-fit, disposable/reusable plastic table cover that features elastic sewn into the edges to hold it in place. The Kwik-Cover stays tight on the talbe even in the wind. Kwik-Covers fit most standard size picnic tables and banquet tables from 3/4 inch to 2 inch thickness. They are great for covering tables for parties, church festivals, and children’s arts and crafts projects. With Kwik-Covers, there’s no longer any need for time-consuming rolls of plastic, which require the use of scissors, staples, or tacks. Kwik-Covers come in a variety of sizes and colors.
www.kwikcovers.com
McCourt’s Mobile Cubby Jr.
The McCourt Mobile Cubby Jr. is heavy duty all the way and made for constant movement on four casters, yet it is handsomely styled for any active setting. The overall size is 51.5” long x 24” wide x 31.75” high. It features 15 pigeon holes. Adults and toddlers have good visibility into all 15 compartments. There is additional storage on the back side: one large slot for poster size and five smaller slots. This side can be easily hidden from unauthorized hands by simply rolling up against any wall. It comes in eight colors with black edge band standard.
www.mccourtmfg.com
Alphabet Alley
Alphabet Alley sells a wide range of Christian toys for the early childhood market, including magnets, puzzles, games, stickers, blocks and more. One of their new lines are sticker sets, which are great for preschool classroom art activities. Each set comes with two sheets of 17 acid-free stickers. There are five different sets: Noah's Ark, In the Beginning (Creation), The Good News (Easter), A Child is Born (Christmas), and One World (kids from around the world). It is a fun way to create scenes and teach biblical stories.
www.alphabetalley.com
Gryphon House Books
“And the Cow Jumped Over the Moon: Over 650 Activities to Teach Toddlers Using Familiar Rhymes and Songs” offers more than 250 songs, rhymes, and chants. This book is a fun way to enrich language experiences. By incorporating songs, chants, and rhymes into the classroom, teachers provide opportunities for children to develop every aspect of reading readiness and literacy. The follow-up suggestions for story time, outdoor play, music and movement, and literacy extension activities will be a sure-fire hit.
www.ghbooks.com |
