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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Playroom Set-ups
kcnjason 07:47 PM 02-27-2012
I have been changing things around like a mad woman. lol! I would like to see how others set up their play areas. I'm curious how other home childcares arrange their toys and the larger play items such as babies, play kitchen, tool benches, etc... I would love if anyone would share pictures or links for picture
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SD DaycareMOM 05:15 AM 02-28-2012
Here are a couple pictures of my playroom, though I have just decided that I need to do some rearranging, too. I haven't decided what the best new layout would be yet, though, so I am interested to see some other photos, too! I really like the storage bins as toyboxes because it makes it really easy for the kids to clean up. Outside of our playroom, the rest of my house is very open (kitchen, living room) so usually we have as many toys out there by the middle of the day as we have left in the toy room.
Attached: IMG_7299 (2).jpg (93.3 KB) IMG_7292.jpg (85.4 KB) 
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Lianne 05:31 AM 02-28-2012
Originally Posted by SD DaycareMOM:
Here are a couple pictures of my playroom, though I have just decided that I need to do some rearranging, too. I haven't decided what the best new layout would be yet, though, so I am interested to see some other photos, too! I really like the storage bins as toyboxes because it makes it really easy for the kids to clean up. Outside of our playroom, the rest of my house is very open (kitchen, living room) so usually we have as many toys out there by the middle of the day as we have left in the toy room.
I love the colours in your room! Love the circles for displaying artwork too!
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melskids 06:02 AM 02-28-2012
Here are some of mine....some of them are old, as I'm ALWAYS rearranging!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...7697472&type=1
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Heidi 10:16 AM 02-28-2012
I notice you all have a LOT of books available easily. I am a little quirky about books-HATE to see them on the floor. Do you have toddlers? I have 3 right now, and we are seriously working on "books go back into the book rack when you are done with them"....
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melskids 10:23 AM 02-28-2012
Originally Posted by bbo:
I notice you all have a LOT of books available easily. I am a little quirky about books-HATE to see them on the floor. Do you have toddlers? I have 3 right now, and we are seriously working on "books go back into the book rack when you are done with them"....
I have 2 infants, 2 toddlers, and 2 preschoolers (plus the SA)

Exposure to books and reading is RIGHT up there with art for me.

I keep books in every "area". I start early on teaching them how to treat them and care for them. We even have a book hospital for when something happens, but 9 times out of 10, its an accident or natural wear and tear.
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SD DaycareMOM 12:23 PM 02-28-2012
Melskids - I love the mirror at baby level! And your water wall outside -- that is on my to do list for this summer!

And, yes, the kids pull the books off of the shelves here, too, but having a big variety of books available to them is worth it to me. We talk a lot here about how to treat books nicely,too and when the WHOLE shelf gets emptied by one of the younger ones (which happens occasionally), there is usually a 4 or 5 y/o ready to sit and stack them up nicely again at clean-up time.
I hope to someday get my talented husband to build me a new bookshelf -- the kind that is tiered, where all the books face outward. I think it would be much easier for the younger ones to put them back by themselves that way.
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cheerfuldom 12:37 PM 02-28-2012
I have good variety of books but all cloth or board books. The paper books are upstairs in my daughter's room.
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cheerfuldom 12:39 PM 02-28-2012
Mel, I noticed all your storage is open. How big of an issue is clean up time for you? It seems like every toy you have is out for use. I like that idea but the reality is that I have some kids at the "dumping" stage where every single container in the room would be spilled out and stepped on before they move to the next toy. I think I might have a younger group than you though......5 that are 2 or younger.
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Michael 12:43 PM 02-28-2012
Originally Posted by Lianne:
I love the colours in your room! Love the circles for displaying artwork too!
I was going to write the same thing. Very nice, pleasant layout.
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Michael 12:44 PM 02-28-2012
Originally Posted by melskids:
Here are some of mine....some of them are old, as I'm ALWAYS rearranging!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...7697472&type=1
Lots of great wood structures and flooring. Very earthy.
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melskids 12:59 PM 02-28-2012
Originally Posted by Michael:
Lots of great wood structures and flooring. Very earthy.
Thanks! I'm really trying to get away from plastic.

And cheerfuldom, I just HAD to chuckle when you said it looks like all my toys are out. You don't know the half of it. I could open my own toy store.

Right now, I have two 1 yr olds, 2 just 2, and two 3 year olds...and some SAgers.

I spend ALOT of time modeling how to use the materials and cleanup. In all the years of doing daycare, I've only had one or two relentless dumpers, and when that happens, everything gets overhauled, put away for a bit, and re-introduced a little at a time.

The babies can sit on the floor right by my art shelves and not even touch a thing. The only area they really tear apart is the kitchen stuff.

And of course, these pictures are from right after I've cleaned up. I could show you some pretty scary ones too.
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Crazy8 02:57 PM 02-28-2012
here is my playroom the way I set it up this past summer.... still not happy with the layout and want to change things but not sure how to get what I want in this small space.


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SD DaycareMOM 05:35 AM 02-29-2012
Crazy 8 - I love your playroom! Looks like a great space, I like how you have it divided up. Looks like it has a good "flow." My playroom is way smaller than yours! But we do use the rest of the main floor of my house, too.
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Lauraingalls 05:05 PM 02-29-2012
These are all fantastic playrooms! Thanks for sharing.
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mac60 04:03 AM 03-01-2012
Crazy8, I love your room and the color!

Melskids, can you explain how you have the canopy attached to your patio.

My patio is actually cement and in the afternoons/evenings, the sun beats down on us.

Any suggestions on how to put up a canopy over grass and honker it down so it doesn't blow away.
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melskids 05:08 AM 03-01-2012
Originally Posted by mac60:
Crazy8, I love your room and the color!

Melskids, can you explain how you have the canopy attached to your patio.

My patio is actually cement and in the afternoons/evenings, the sun beats down on us.

Any suggestions on how to put up a canopy over grass and honker it down so it doesn't blow away.
The canopy on my patio I bought from discount school supply. I screwed it right to the wood so it wouldn't blow away. I know you said yours is cement. There are special screws to screw into cement, but I don't know if you wanted to do that.

The canopies I have in the grass are staked down with the same stakes you use for tents. They all stay fairly secure for the most part. The big 10x10 canopy over the sand pit is also tied on three poles to my fence.

I also use beach umbrellas over certain areas, I just make sure I hammer them down far into the ground, and close them every night so they don't blow inside out.
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Momma Duck 05:19 AM 03-08-2012
Originally Posted by melskids:
Here are some of mine....some of them are old, as I'm ALWAYS rearranging!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...7697472&type=1
I particularly enjoy all the thought you've put in to your outdoor classroom! I have been a family child care home for 18 years and am finally able to dedicate the whole downstairs for a classroom. Will be so wonderful to have a classroom, a separate bath and a straight shot no stairs entrance and exit to the yard. I'm excited! We will be arranging everything for the switch this summer. I cannot wait!
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melskids 07:15 AM 03-08-2012
Originally Posted by Momma Duck:
I particularly enjoy all the thought you've put in to your outdoor classroom! I have been a family child care home for 18 years and am finally able to dedicate the whole downstairs for a classroom. Will be so wonderful to have a classroom, a separate bath and a straight shot no stairs entrance and exit to the yard. I'm excited! We will be arranging everything for the switch this summer. I cannot wait!
Thanks! I have alot more plans for this summer too...thanks to my pinterest obsession. I'm thinking a music wall, and a woodworking area, and some tires and wood planks, and a weaving wall , and garden trellis', and one of those wood bridges over a dry creek bed....and a......lol

I need a pin-tervention.

Welcome to the forum, BTW!
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countrymom 08:08 AM 03-08-2012
Originally Posted by melskids:
Thanks! I have alot more plans for this summer too...thanks to my pinterest obsession. I'm thinking a music wall, and a woodworking area, and some tires and wood planks, and a weaving wall , and garden trellis', and one of those wood bridges over a dry creek bed....and a......lol

I need a pin-tervention.

Welcome to the forum, BTW!
wow, you sure have alot of stuff, and here i thought i had a lot of stuff. You have some really neat ideas, I love the shutter idea, that would work here for sure, my ds would love this. I totally understand pintrest, dh is complaining that I keep getting crazy ideas from there. For my outside I want to build a fort out of wood.

anyone know how to post pictures, I've tried but I can't figure it out.
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Blackcat31 08:49 AM 03-08-2012
Originally Posted by countrymom:

anyone know how to post pictures, I've tried but I can't figure it out.
https://www.daycare.com/forum/faq.ph...b3_attachments

The FAQ section explains how to add attachments and photos to your post.
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My3cents 11:13 AM 03-08-2012
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
Mel, I noticed all your storage is open. How big of an issue is clean up time for you? It seems like every toy you have is out for use. I like that idea but the reality is that I have some kids at the "dumping" stage where every single container in the room would be spilled out and stepped on before they move to the next toy. I think I might have a younger group than you though......5 that are 2 or younger.
Bump. Bump. and Bump!

Before I tear out every hair on my head. How do you all deal with having toys out to play with but dealing with the dumping.

Three kiddo's under two and all they want to do is clear the shelves and dump out any container holding anything. I bought the big flexible containers to hold toys and they dump. They have a beautiful space to play in, but in no time its cluttered with toys. I have tried taking stuff out- you name it. Ideas, helps, Then they are bored in no time- I want them to have things to play with but everything ends up on the floor in a big pile or scattered pile. Frustrated to no end...... Five that are under two.....wow
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My3cents 11:16 AM 03-08-2012
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
Mel, I noticed all your storage is open. How big of an issue is clean up time for you? It seems like every toy you have is out for use. I like that idea but the reality is that I have some kids at the "dumping" stage where every single container in the room would be spilled out and stepped on before they move to the next toy. I think I might have a younger group than you though......5 that are 2 or younger.
I wanted to say everything would be on the floor and the kid's would be in the containers. I had to take mine out. Then when the lids were on they would undo them. Again my group is under two and I would love love love some ideas on this. I do give them containers to fill and dump.
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melskids 11:58 AM 03-08-2012
I spend alot of time modeling how to play with the toys in each area, and how to properly clean them up.

When things get out of control, we regroup, clean up, and start again.

I don't mind the mess, I suppose. I see it as part of the learning process as well. These children are so young, and need to learn social skills and self help skills before I worry about formal teaching. So, if we spend all day learning how to clean up our messes, proper table manners, and how to dress ourselves, then so be it. Academics will come in time.

If the kids are truly engaged in what they are doing, I have no problem quietly cleaning up behind them so they can continue in their play.

And like I said above, if I have relentless dumpers, kids purposely chucking stuff, or outright refusing to clean up, it all gets packed away and we start over slowly re-introducing toys into each area.

I guess my advice is to embrace the mess, and be consistent with clean up.

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cheerfuldom 12:06 PM 03-08-2012
eek! crazy picture. I just cant handle that amount of mess....
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countrymom 12:08 PM 03-08-2012
Originally Posted by melskids:
I spend alot of time modeling how to play with the toys in each area, and how to properly clean them up.

When things get out of control, we regroup, clean up, and start again.

I don't mind the mess, I suppose. I see it as part of the learning process as well. These children are so young, and need to learn social skills and self help skills before I worry about formal teaching. So, if we spend all day learning how to clean up our messes, proper table manners, and how to dress ourselves, then so be it. Academics will come in time.

If the kids are truly engaged in what they are doing, I have no problem quietly cleaning up behind them so they can continue in their play.

And like I said above, if I have relentless dumpers, kids purposely chucking stuff, or outright refusing to clean up, it all gets packed away and we start over slowly re-introducing toys into each area.

I guess my advice is to embrace the mess, and be consistent with clean up.

Attachment 886


omg, thats my house. We run the same daycare styles. another thing that works is that at 4pm my own children come home all the kids know that they have to clean up before the big kids come home, its so funny, you have to see them, its like the big kids are monsters.
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melskids 01:27 PM 03-08-2012
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
eek! crazy picture. I just cant handle that amount of mess....
It's not always THAT bad...lol

...Except when it's worse!

Some days just be like that
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MizzCheryl 05:18 PM 04-05-2012
Originally Posted by melskids:
Here are some of mine....some of them are old, as I'm ALWAYS rearranging!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...7697472&type=1
I love Love Love your ideas. !!
You are so smart!
Can I copy?
I am working changing up some stuff and found you post.
It is great!
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melskids 03:15 AM 04-06-2012
Originally Posted by Clueless:
I love Love Love your ideas. !!
You are so smart!
Can I copy?
I am working changing up some stuff and found you post.
It is great!
Awww...thanks.

It's constantly a work in progress. I'm always changing things up and I'm trying to get rid of plastic, all while on budget and space restrictions. If only I had more of those two things!!!!!
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lucky 05:28 AM 04-06-2012
Melskids I agree with Clueless. Love your space and your blog. I have borrowed lots of your ideas! Thanks for the inspiration.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 05:41 AM 04-06-2012
I have three rooms in a row used for Preschool.
Preschool Room 2 has the majority of the centers in it, so that's the one I am including photos of.
This weekend (HOPEFULLY!) we are getting a 72 gallon tank with fish and turtles that will also be placed in this room.

I apologize in advance for the lack of/odd lighting. It's an odd time in the day to be taking photos, so they certainly do not look nice.



Since the Home Center is cut off ...



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MizzCheryl 05:47 PM 04-06-2012
LCLC your playroom is beautiful.
Be sure you put your tank in an area that doesn't get direct sunlight. I had a 55 Gal. Direct sun of any king turned it green in days.
You may already know that. But it was such a pain I wouldn't want you to have to deal with moving such a large tank. We loved ours though. Enjoy!
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Sprouts 09:17 PM 04-08-2012
LC LC I AM LOVING UR SET UP, it looks so fresh and it's great u have all of that room! We have the same shelves!

And Mel's kids how can I follow u on pinterest? When u mentioned the bridge over the dry creek that sparked some ideas in my head too! I love ur setup too I always check out ur Facebook page, I am trying to get my husband to build us a water wall
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melskids 03:42 AM 04-09-2012
Originally Posted by Sprouts:
LC LC I AM LOVING UR SET UP, it looks so fresh and it's great u have all of that room! We have the same shelves!

And Mel's kids how can I follow u on pinterest? When u mentioned the bridge over the dry creek that sparked some ideas in my head too! I love ur setup too I always check out ur Facebook page, I am trying to get my husband to build us a water wall
I haven't organized all of my boards yet, but here I am....

http://pinterest.com/mwmarshall/

I don't always pin everything I see, but check out some of the people I follow. They all have such awesome ideas!

As far as the hubby, I have given up waiting for him. I will learn how to use these power tools if it kills me.

And LCLC...your space is gorgeous! I wish I had that much room!!!!
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SunflowerMama 12:13 PM 04-13-2012
[quote=LCLC;216517]I have three rooms in a row used for Preschool.
Preschool Room 2 has the majority of the centers in it, so that's the one I am including photos of.
This weekend (HOPEFULLY!) we are getting a 72 gallon tank with fish and turtles that will also be placed in this room.

I apologize in advance for the lack of/odd lighting. It's an odd time in the day to be taking photos, so they certainly do not look nice.



Since the Home Center is cut off ...


[/QUOTE

Love your setup!! Where did you get those cute red/green rugs?? Love them!!
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Recie 02:28 PM 04-13-2012
Originally Posted by melskids:
here are some of mine....some of them are old, as i'm always rearranging!

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...7697472&type=1
omg i lovvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeee your set up!!!!
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