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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Room Set Ups
Preschool/daycare teacher 03:10 PM 10-28-2010
I am trying to set up "centers", but it seems so complicated. Math center, Science Center, Dramatic Play Center, Block Center, Manipulatives Center, Sand & Water Center, Writing Center, Library Center, etc! I don't have space for much, so I'm looking for ways you all have set up your play areas (since you probably don't have anymore room than us!). Would you mind posting some pictures of your set-ups? If you think you could give me some good tips, I'll send you a PM with a picture of the room I'm trying to set up better. We have the same problem as many others with 2 yr old dumpers. They also love to take toys out of their bins and throw them across the room just for fun. But we also have older preschoolers and school agers who know how to play right with the toys, but the toddlers put a damper on the toys we can have available for them. Keeping them seperate isn't an option. Sooo, I'd love to see your set-ups!
Preschool/daycare teacher 03:27 PM 10-28-2010
Actually, it's not so much the space (considering how little space other home care providers have to work with, we have a huge space), but it's the lack of funds for additional shelving and toys, as in $0 
And the room I'm talking about also has to be used as the nap room, as there is nowhere else to do it. I'd rather not have to move all the furniture and toys everytime we get ready for nap and then rearrange it again when they get up and we put away all the cots.
And the room I'm talking about also has to be used as the nap room, as there is nowhere else to do it. I'd rather not have to move all the furniture and toys everytime we get ready for nap and then rearrange it again when they get up and we put away all the cots.
kendallina 05:09 PM 10-28-2010
I don't have a pic now, but for my learning centers, I have:
Quiet/reading area (books, puzzles, manipulatives, doll house)
Block (blocks of all kinds, animals, cars, trains, construction, etc)
Dramatic play (kitchen, dress-up, music, whatever other pretend stuff we're rotating in)
Art (paper, crayons, markers, glue etc etc)
I have science, math, etc woven throughout the room and we often do science/math for small group activities anyways.
Not sure if that helps, but I'll try to post a pic later...
Quiet/reading area (books, puzzles, manipulatives, doll house)
Block (blocks of all kinds, animals, cars, trains, construction, etc)
Dramatic play (kitchen, dress-up, music, whatever other pretend stuff we're rotating in)
Art (paper, crayons, markers, glue etc etc)
I have science, math, etc woven throughout the room and we often do science/math for small group activities anyways.
Not sure if that helps, but I'll try to post a pic later...
MarinaVanessa 08:52 AM 10-29-2010
The only free standing centers that I have are the book nook (reading center), Imagination station (pretend play), puzzles and the art center which is actually just an easil. I put all of my other "centers" into plastic bins and pull them out when I need them. All of my supplies too like my art supplies, craft supplies etc. If we do the math center I pull out the manipulatives tote and they have at it at the child size table. Same thing goes with the science and cooking center. The sand and water centers are outside. I just get everything that I need out in the AM and have it ready when they arrive.
MG&Lsmom 09:30 AM 10-29-2010
We live in a open concept ranch so I'm able to split up some of my centers. I have pretend play (dress up, doll house, food) in my daughter's room, Reading nook and blocks/cars in the living room, and art in my dining room. I have room for 2-3 other centers and switch it up all the time, maybe every 2 weeks. For math, science, cooking, puzzles, bigger A&C, I just take out the bins when we're ready to start. I've done this with my own kids since we move here and downsized from 2200 to 1300 sq ft. Luckily I have a huge basement for storage that's just begging to be refinished as a daycare room. Just waiting to win the lottery
Crystal 01:29 PM 10-29-2010
I have about 400 square feet of space. I have:
Art/Writing
Dramatic PLay
Math/Science
Blcoks and circle time area
Cozy/book corner
Discovery Table in my entry
Let me see if my pics will work here:
http://www.shutterfly.com/lightbox/v...9889752d9a603c
Art/Writing
Dramatic PLay
Math/Science
Blcoks and circle time area
Cozy/book corner
Discovery Table in my entry
Let me see if my pics will work here:
http://www.shutterfly.com/lightbox/v...9889752d9a603c
Crystal 01:36 PM 10-29-2010
Preschool/daycare teacher 01:47 PM 10-29-2010
Your last one didn't post either, Crystal. It just has a small box with an x in it.
Crystal 01:50 PM 10-29-2010
I know. I'm trying. Sorry.
Crystal 01:52 PM 10-29-2010
okay, let's see if this one works:
Attached:
wideview.jpg (95.9 KB)
Crystal 01:55 PM 10-29-2010
Michael 01:57 PM 10-29-2010
The problem was that Shutterfly, where the picture is, has a member login to get acces to the photo. Best thing to do is upload it to the Daycare.com forum server.
MommyMuffin 04:42 PM 10-29-2010
This is my dramatic play area, I am still working on my other areas. It is just a bedroom that has a dramatic play area, changing table, block area. My reading area is in my living room...thats all I have right now.
Crystal 07:16 PM 10-29-2010
Very nice! I love how it looks like "home"! Very inviting to the children 
I recently took my kitchen set out, as my student teacher has taken over my dramatic play and is working on a restaraunt theme.
I miss my kitchen set, but funny, the kids don't! They have been loving playing with new ideas!
I recently took my kitchen set out, as my student teacher has taken over my dramatic play and is working on a restaraunt theme.
I miss my kitchen set, but funny, the kids don't! They have been loving playing with new ideas!
ninosqueridos 07:23 PM 10-29-2010
love both setups!!
What ages kids do you each care for currently crystal and mommymuffin?
What ages kids do you each care for currently crystal and mommymuffin?
Crystal 07:35 PM 10-29-2010
my children are currently 2-6 years old. they have all been with me since they were infants.
I have materials for younger children/all age groups on lower shelves, older age groups on higher shelves.
We have 15 children enrolled....8-13 here at a time.
I have materials for younger children/all age groups on lower shelves, older age groups on higher shelves.
We have 15 children enrolled....8-13 here at a time.
Preschool/daycare teacher 09:40 PM 10-29-2010
WOW! You guys have some great set-ups! Thank you for sharing! Anyone volunteer to help me out? The room doesn't have much in it because...well, it's a long story, but now I'm trying to get some centers set up. I'll PM you with some pictures if you want to take a stab at it....
if you want to take a stab at it....
MommyMuffin 04:31 PM 10-30-2010
Originally Posted by ninosqueridos:
love both setups!! What ages kids do you each care for currently crystal and mommymuffin?
I am starting on Monday and I have 3 kids under 3 years old.love both setups!!
What ages kids do you each care for currently crystal and mommymuffin?I just went to a daycare center closing sale and I got the best deals!!! Two heavy duty kids tables, with 4 chairs, a glider, little tykes work bench, Little Tykes Easel, Big Books, and a few other things for 120.00!!! I cannot fit them in my house though. When my husband finishes the basement I will set everything up and I will post a picture so you can tell me what you gals think.
Mom4two 06:30 PM 10-30-2010
Here is my set up. right now I am trying to decorate the walls with different things. Let me know what you all think.Oct-26-2010-006.jpg
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Abigail 07:16 PM 10-30-2010
Here is my set up. right now I am trying to decorate the walls with different things. Let me know what you all think.
Do you use the light stand? If you don't I would take it out so everything is used for the daycare. I like your kidney table, I have the same one but different colors and the same chairs as you too! Do you normally move the table against the wall to save room? Is this your only daycare room? You are very organized. It will look great once you get the Abc's or 123's and some art work on the wall. Do you plan to put up window coverings?
Do you use the light stand? If you don't I would take it out so everything is used for the daycare. I like your kidney table, I have the same one but different colors and the same chairs as you too! Do you normally move the table against the wall to save room? Is this your only daycare room? You are very organized. It will look great once you get the Abc's or 123's and some art work on the wall. Do you plan to put up window coverings?
Mom4two 07:57 PM 10-30-2010
Originally Posted by Abigail:
Here is my set up. right now I am trying to decorate the walls with different things. Let me know what you all think.
Do you use the light stand? If you don't I would take it out so everything is used for the daycare. I like your kidney table, I have the same one but different colors and the same chairs as you too! Do you normally move the table against the wall to save room? Is this your only daycare room? You are very organized. It will look great once you get the Abc's or 123's and some art work on the wall. Do you plan to put up window coverings?
I do use the light. I had it in the corner by the window but moved it so I could make more room for play. I have the table set up against the wall to save room. I have my whole first floor of my house dedicated to childcare. I have a dining room for eating. the room of the pictures is where I would like to spend most of the time. My living room is the nap/resting area along with at the end of the day tv time. I have printed up some bubble letters for the ABC's and Numbers just have to color, cut, and laminate them then I will be hanging them. I don't have any kids yet. I have fliers that will be going out soon. for the window's I am undecided. I thought about window clings for decoration. but I am not sure about curtains or blinds.Here is my set up. right now I am trying to decorate the walls with different things. Let me know what you all think.
Do you use the light stand? If you don't I would take it out so everything is used for the daycare. I like your kidney table, I have the same one but different colors and the same chairs as you too! Do you normally move the table against the wall to save room? Is this your only daycare room? You are very organized. It will look great once you get the Abc's or 123's and some art work on the wall. Do you plan to put up window coverings?
Abigail 08:37 PM 10-31-2010
Originally Posted by Mom4two:
I do use the light. I had it in the corner by the window but moved it so I could make more room for play. I have the table set up against the wall to save room. I have my whole first floor of my house dedicated to childcare. I have a dining room for eating. the room of the pictures is where I would like to spend most of the time. My living room is the nap/resting area along with at the end of the day tv time. I have printed up some bubble letters for the ABC's and Numbers just have to color, cut, and laminate them then I will be hanging them. I don't have any kids yet. I have fliers that will be going out soon. for the window's I am undecided. I thought about window clings for decoration. but I am not sure about curtains or blinds.
Wow sounds like you're very organized! Now you just need to get your doors open. I'm collecting daycare items for when we move into a house, but I work at a daycare part time still. I really can't wait to be in charge of my own though. Do you want help with flyers or are they finished? I'd love to know what kind of things you're advertising. Good luck.I do use the light. I had it in the corner by the window but moved it so I could make more room for play. I have the table set up against the wall to save room. I have my whole first floor of my house dedicated to childcare. I have a dining room for eating. the room of the pictures is where I would like to spend most of the time. My living room is the nap/resting area along with at the end of the day tv time. I have printed up some bubble letters for the ABC's and Numbers just have to color, cut, and laminate them then I will be hanging them. I don't have any kids yet. I have fliers that will be going out soon. for the window's I am undecided. I thought about window clings for decoration. but I am not sure about curtains or blinds.