Anyone Have A Playroom Geared Towards Babies/Toddlers?

[Crazy8]

I would love, love, love to see it please!!!! Its that time of year where I am fed up with my playroom and want to rearrange it. I did it about 2-3 years ago and then last year I got a new big toy (school bus activity center) and have never been happy with the layout since then.

My problem is all the perfect playroom ideas I see on pinterest just do not work with my very young group (rarely have anyone over 3 years old - most in the 6m-24m range). Most are geared for older kids who would know not to rip a cute basket off the wall or pull down a curtain rod, etc. My 11 month old doesn't know that, LOL! I need baby equipment in there, need my changing table, but also tried to have separated play sections in there so that it wasn't one big space for running (and then falling!).

If you have a space for babies/young toddlers please post a pic if you can. If you just have advice/ideas for setting up that type of space I would love to hear it. I need all the help I can get. Things have been the way they are for so long I have trouble "seeing" them any other way. I will try to post a pic of the room tonight too.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Message blandino.

[Crazy8]

Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist

Message blandino.

I will, thanks! Anyone else have a set up geared for younger kids??

[LysesKids]

I'm geared towards 0-18 months; I never keep a child once that 2nd birthday has hit.

I set my room up similar to that of a NIDO otherwise known in Montessori circles as a nest. Not alot of toys out at one time, everything down on low shelves including books. I also have mirrors tacked at baby height thru out the baby room and living space. No Swings or exersaucers either, just 2 travel PNP that have bassinets and for older babes, Montessori floor beds... I keep 2 bouncer chairs in living room and I have 2 microfiber, toddler size, lounge style chairs (miniature version of adult arm chairs). My toys are kept in baskets on the shelves or in the trunk ( extras that I rotate). I'll email pic's

[SilverSabre25]

It's not perfect yet but I can show you pics of mine later. I have to take new ones.

[LysesKids]

but I did manage to get a few photos uploaded into an album; I left it open so anyone can see ... will post better ones later

[spinnymarie]

I have a baby 'area' plus the rest of the space for kids 15 mo+, but go all the way to 5 yrs. I prefer to keep the tiny guys out of harm's way if possible - but I also have two adults. I can send photos, if you think helpful We definitely have the groupings to limit the giant openness!

[Patches]

I have two seperate playrooms. One is the baby room. I will take updated pictures for you later

[Indianadaycare]

Originally Posted by Crazy8

I would love, love, love to see it please!!!! Its that time of year where I am fed up with my playroom and want to rearrange it. I did it about 2-3 years ago and then last year I got a new big toy (school bus activity center) and have never been happy with the layout since then.

My problem is all the perfect playroom ideas I see on pinterest just do not work with my very young group (rarely have anyone over 3 years old - most in the 6m-24m range). Most are geared for older kids who would know not to rip a cute basket off the wall or pull down a curtain rod, etc. My 11 month old doesn't know that, LOL! I need baby equipment in there, need my changing table, but also tried to have separated play sections in there so that it wasn't one big space for running (and then falling!).

If you have a space for babies/young toddlers please post a pic if you can. If you just have advice/ideas for setting up that type of space I would love to hear it. I need all the help I can get. Things have been the way they are for so long I have trouble "seeing" them any other way. I will try to post a pic of the room tonight too.

I have posted some pics of my daycare in my profile. I too, am geared for babies and toddlers, but honestly, don't have much "baby" equipment except for an infant swing and a playmat. The swing goes under the window ( the swing is not in the pic, but you'll see the window.) and playmat goes on top of the Step 2 train table that has a white cover on it. I put the playmat on the floor only when being used. Lots of board books in a bin on the floor, plan to put a long infant (safety) mirror on the wall; low to ground) next to infant swing.
Cubbies: don't know what I'd do without them! Toddler toys within easy reach on bottom two levels; top level is for baby's bin where dcp puts their extra diapers, formula etc.
The setup has worked beautifully so far. Hope that helps!

[Indianadaycare]

Originally Posted by LysesKids

I'm geared towards 0-18 months; I never keep a child once that 2nd birthday has hit.

I set my room up similar to that of a NIDO otherwise known in Montessori circles as a nest. Not alot of toys out at one time, everything down on low shelves including books. I also have mirrors tacked at baby height thru out the baby room and living space. No Swings or exersaucers either, just 2 travel PNP that have bassinets and for older babes, Montessori floor beds... I keep 2 bouncer chairs in living room and I have 2 microfiber, toddler size, lounge style chairs (miniature version of adult arm chairs). My toys are kept in baskets on the shelves or in the trunk ( extras that I rotate). I'll email pic's

I'd love to see your pics too if you would!

[LysesKids]

Originally Posted by Indianadaycare

I'd love to see your pics too if you would!

They are in my profile... I'm taking more tonight, but still working lol
Have to get ready for 2 Foster babies Monday (respite & court care)

[Crazy8]

Originally Posted by Indianadaycare

I have posted some pics of my daycare in my profile. I too, am geared for babies and toddlers, but honestly, don't have much "baby" equipment except for an infant swing and a playmat. The swing goes under the window ( the swing is not in the pic, but you'll see the window.) and playmat goes on top of the Step 2 train table that has a white cover on it. I put the playmat on the floor only when being used. Lots of board books in a bin on the floor, plan to put a long infant (safety) mirror on the wall; low to ground) next to infant swing.
Cubbies: don't know what I'd do without them! Toddler toys within easy reach on bottom two levels; top level is for baby's bin where dcp puts their extra diapers, formula etc.
The setup has worked beautifully so far. Hope that helps!

It does help, thanks so much!!! Jealous of your space too!! We have a full basement that we are going to finish for our own family space - its too "underground" to be a daycare space. And I had that same train table and got rid of it because I didn't have the space for it, now I'm mad because I need to clear out other stuff and that would have been a great height just to use as a table top.

[Crazy8]

Originally Posted by spinnymarie

I have a baby 'area' plus the rest of the space for kids 15 mo+, but go all the way to 5 yrs. I prefer to keep the tiny guys out of harm's way if possible - but I also have two adults. I can send photos, if you think helpful We definitely have the groupings to limit the giant openness!

just sent you my email address in a private message. thanks!

[Crazy8]

thanks! would love to see any pics anyone can share.

Here is a panoramic of my playroom, I was standing by the changing table at the time so 2nd pic is of that side. Its a narrow room and you can see its just gotten soooo overcrowded lately!!! I don't use the jumper/exersaucer thingy very much, but I keep one outside the gated playroom for whenever I need to run to the bathroom, etc. so I have a place to put a little one.





Any advice on what to change????

[Crazy8]

Kids come back tomorrow and I didn't get a chance to do anything in the playroom…. maybe next weekend!!!

[Crazy8]

bumping this for those who do this…. could really use some ideas on how to set this up. I have one 3.5 year old now (really thought they'd send him to preschool next month but they are not) but normally I don't have anyone over 3. I think the idea of "centers" is lost on them, not sure its the way to go anymore???

[melilley]

I sent you a pm.
I have "centers", but my centers are mainly separated by rugs. The reading area is the foam puzzle letters (eventually I will replace those with some type of "circle time" rug, my block/vehicle area is a foam roadway, my kitchen/dramatic play area has a rug in it. I have one bin shelf that separates the reading area from the dramatic play area, but other than that, it's open. I do this because I do care for all 3 and under and like to see them at all times, even when I'm sitting on the floor. I purchased most of the stuff before I opened, just to open. Eventually, I would like to change out some things, but parents seem to be happy with what I have.

[Crazy8]

Originally Posted by melilley

I sent you a pm.
I have "centers", but my centers are mainly separated by rugs. The reading area is the foam puzzle letters (eventually I will replace those with some type of "circle time" rug, my block/vehicle area is a foam roadway, my kitchen/dramatic play area has a rug in it. I have one bin shelf that separates the reading area from the dramatic play area, but other than that, it's open. I do this because I do care for all 3 and under and like to see them at all times, even when I'm sitting on the floor. I purchased most of the stuff before I opened, just to open. Eventually, I would like to change out some things, but parents seem to be happy with what I have.

sent you my email address. I have all wood floors so need rugs to separate too but don't want to buy any until I know how I'm setting things up.