Daycare Furniture and Supplies
By: Dawn Castellanos

If your church is starting a preschool center or a daycare, you may be wondering what you'll need in order to furnish and supply your classrooms. Here are some basic furniture and supplies guidelines.

Tables by Age
When purchasing classroom tables for your daycare, the most important consideration is size. Every day we answer questions such as, "What size table should I purchase for a classroom for two-year-olds and three-year-olds?" The guidelines below will assist you when purchasing classroom tables.

* 2-year-old and 3-year-old toddler tables: 16 inches in height
* 3-year-old and 4-year-old preschool tables: 18 to 20 inches in height
* 5-year-old kindergarten tables: 22 inches in height
* 6-year-old and 7-year-old first/second grade tables: 24 inches in height
* 8+ years old/3rd grade and up tables: 24 to 26 inches in height

Other table options may include colored top/trim, leg glide style, and folding vs. non-folding legs.

Tables by Size
We also answer questions such as, "How many children can sit at a 24" x 48" rectangle table?" The guidelines below will assist you when purchasing classroom tables, by shape and size.

1. Rectangles
* 24" x 48" rectangle: 6 students
* 30" x 48" rectangle: 6 students
* 30" x 60" rectangle: 8 students
* 36" x 72" rectangle: 10 students

2. Round
* 36" round: 5 students
* 42" round: 7 students
* 48" round: 10 students
* 60" round: 15 students

3. Other Shapes
* 48" square: 8 students
* 60" daisy: 6 students
* 48" x 72" kidney: 6 students + teacher
* 60" x 66" kidney: 8 students + teacher
* 24" x 24" x 48" trapezoid: 4 students
* 30" x 30" x 60" trapezoid: 5 students

Other table sizes are manufactured, as the list above represents the most popular styles.

Art Supplies
An early childhood environment must have an art center stocked with art supplies. Whether you teach daycare, preschool, kindergarten, first grade or second grade, children should be surrounded by opportunities to explore art materials and create using their imaginations. Below is a basic list of art supply items and furniture to get your art center started and keep it stocked.

Art center supplies should include: easels, smocks or aprons, glue, paste, glue sticks, pipe cleaners, glitter, water colors, crayons, feathers, butcher paper, scrap paper, markers, safety scissors, rulers, tissue paper, felt, construction paper, yarn, buttons, ribbons, magazines, old greeting cards, wrapping paper, chalk, colored pencils, wax paper, aluminum foil, finger paint, cookie cutters, stencils, paint brushes, Q-tips, small plastic cups, popsicle sticks, finger paint, clay, paper, art cart, scissor holder, marker holder, sponges, tape, stapler, art/utility cart and paper dispenser.

Blocks
Children also should be provided opportunities to build with blocks. Wooden blocks are wonderful because a one-time purchase will last for years. However, if you think the one time purchase will be inexpensive, then think again.

A nice set of blocks should include assorted shapes and sizes. There should be an adequate number of pieces to allow for at least four children to work together on individual structures or a large structure cooperatively. Classroom wood block set sizes can range from about 35 to more than 400 pieces. Prices range from about $75 to $1,000.

Most blocks are made of Beech wood or maple, with maple being typically more expensive. Quality sets are finely sanded and rounded to eliminate sharp edges and become splinter-free. Some offer a lifetime guarantee as well.

Other wooden block accessories include rolling block tubs, arches/tunnels, hollow blocks, lock blocks and multi-cultural architectural block sets.

Using wood building blocks encourages mathematical/logical thinking, cooperative working, creativity, and motor-skill development.

Learning Rugs/Carpet
Classroom rugs/carpets are often found in early childhood environments such as daycares. Teachers find educational carpets to be decorative and helpful with teaching different concepts as well as classroom management.

Learning rugs come in a variety of themes, colors, sizes, and shapes. It is important to consider the size of the area available to place the rug as well as how many children will typically sit upon it at the same time. A 5'4" x 7'8" rug can comfortably seat approximately 20 to 25 children, depending on their ages/size, whereas a 7'8" x 10'9" will seat about 30 to 32 children.

You should also consider what you would like the rug to accomplish or teach. Are you simply looking for a cute rug to place in a nursery/infant room in a daycare center or church, or are you looking for a carpet that will keep preschool and kindergarten children organized and sitting in a particular spot during "circle time"?

Most classroom carpets come with a useful life warranty, stain protectors, anti-microbial protection, and safety standards to include flammability ratings, which are a few more things to consider when making your purchase. Teaching rugs are truly great investments. Not only can they change the overall look of a room at a very affordable price, but they will last for many years.

Dramatic Play
Ask most young children their favorite place to work in the classroom and they will say the housekeeping area. Daycare classrooms typically have a dramatic play center with a pretend play kitchen being the focal point.

Most kitchen sets are made from wood and can be bought in separate pieces or in one large piece. The one-piece sets are wonderful if space is an issue. You can also purchase sets that are shorter and appropriate for toddlers rather than preschool and kindergarten children. If you purchase separate pieces, you can even add on microwaves and washer/dryer sets.

Some other accessories for your kitchen sets are: pretend food, cooking utensils, play dishes, dolls, doll furniture, a table and chair set, costumes, a telephone, and much more.

Make the dramatic play kitchen/housekeeping area even more fun by routinely adding new and different items for the kids to interact with. Keep in mind that not all items need to be brand new. Solicit parents and co-workers for donations of household items/clothing that they are not using anymore to help stock the home area.

Music and Movement
Music and movement is a huge part of daycare and preschool curriculum. Most children love to sing and feel comfortable doing so in a group/classroom setting. Opportunities to include music and movement into your curriculum can be through "planned" teacher-directed activities or through "center-based" child-initiated activities.

Items to purchase for your music and movement curriculum include: a CD/boombox, CDs and/or cassettes, an audio cabinet, a variety of instruments (some can be teacher/student made), a cassette recorder with headphones, and even a rug.

Finally, wall panels are durable, cost-effective, and educational all at the same time. Most activity panels or wall panels are appropriate for ages 3 and older. They offer activities that develop fine motor skills, visual tracking, and/or eye-hand coordination. They may also help teach counting skills, shape and color recognition, and cooperative play. Made from wood, they will withstand daily play and last for many years.

Dawn Castellanos is the national sales manager for DaycareAtoZ.com, supplier of early childhood furniture, equipment, and supplies.

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Early Childhood Furniture & Supplies Checklist

Here is a list of preschool furniture by category for your convenience. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of items you will need to function and manage your center; rather, it is a list of basic items you will need when you start.

Housekeeping and Dramatic Play
* Kitchen
* Refrigerator
* Table and chairs
* Grocery products
* Puppet theater
* Appropriate accessories
 
Block Play
* Hundred+ piece block set w/varying shapes
* Block tub with wheels
* Multi-cultural family and career block set
 
Manipulatives
* Geo puzzle board
* Circle sorter
* Shape sorter
* Ring counter
* Sound box
* Weight box
 
Shelving/Storage
* Big Book Display
* Cubbies
* Lockers
* Shelves
 
Art Equipment
* Four-station easel
* Drying rack
* Art cart
* Storage
 
Infant/Toddler
* Diaper changing table
* Diaper storage/shelf
* Infant coordination mirror
* Soft play items
* Indoor "gym"
 
Chairs and Tables
* Enough chairs for all your students plus a few extra
* Tables for seating based on table size
 
Soft Play
* Tumble mats
* Soft blocks
* Indoor "gyms"
* Activity centers
 
Sensory
* Standard size sand and water table
* Sand tools
* Optional train table top
 
Rugs
* Large rug for classroom management
* One rug for block play area
* Others as needed
 
Nap Time
* Sleep mats or cots
* Sheets and blankets
* Storage for mats/cots
 
Literacy
* Book display
* Children's soft furniture