Vent - Baby Zone

[Mrs. CC]

Just last night I was thinking of doing a separate area for my 18 months and younger. They are only 2 of them but the older 2-3 seem to keep taking their toys and running around them and just being way more rough than my <18 months can handle.

I didn't want to "jail" the younger ones, but after reading this thread, I am becoming more convinced that I will try this. I have a great area for it... hmmmmmm

Thank you all once again for the thoughts, ideas, experience and questions so I can learn from you!

[Cat Herder]

So I have one entire room that is 9 ft x 9.5 ft. How many kids ages 12 mos to 22 months can comfortably play in there without seeming to crowded?

I wish I had an answer for you. I don't get to make that choice, so I have never tried any other arrangements. Here the answer would be 1.3 kids. :confused:

I am required to have 35 sq ft usable (unobstructed) space, per child and All children must be in the same room. (yes, she pulls out the tape measure every time)

So, legally, the ONLY way I am allowed to give them individual play areas is the 36 sq ft. room (to allow room for toys) with half walls. Then I must have a 216 sq ft GROUP area, in the same room, as well. It was the only legal "loophole" I found to make my infant safety plan work here.

It can be tricky to do withing regs.

[dEHmom]

so for those of you have have separate areas for the infants, but use your home for daycare, and not a "daycare only" space, are these infant areas easily converted for daycare/non daycare times?

Like if I created this infant area zone in my living room, would it be something you would say could easily be taken down and put back up on a daily basis, or is it more complex? i don't want to create a ton more work for myself, and we rarely have kids in daycare here until 9-12 months of age.

[SimpleMom]

I have used a baby zone, more often than not I use co-play strategies. I also have the kiddos doing different activities if needed (ie, a little to excitment for indoor play ). I may have them read, color, write, do lessons, play doh, cars, etc. I have a seperate area for the older ones(daycare only space) and that works best here for when they want to play or build towers, etc. I even have a playyard indoors and out. Most of the time the younger ones free play out of it and the older ones want to play IN it LOL. It's fine... it works great here. The younger ones play in it, too. I just adjust the toys to whatever age group works there.

When I used my home space for daycare shared, I had a play yard indoors, a pack and play, carriers, etc. The older kiddos got to play with the towers and blocks, and such when the younger ones were engaged in some sort of activity. The also did those things while the morning nappers slept.

[Sunshine44]

Baby zone age?

What age do you put inside the baby zone? I have half and half. Half older kids who can play nicely and half younger and not so great with playing nicely kids. They are not infants. Curious as to what age you put in the 'baby zone'.

[Cat Herder]

What age do you put inside the baby zone? I have half and half. Half older kids who can play nicely and half younger and not so great with playing nicely kids. They are not infants. Curious as to what age you put in the 'baby zone'.

From birth until they can hold their own....

[daycare]

My only little has a separate play area than my olders 3-4.5.

The little is only 18 months old and he knows that he is only allowed in the preschool room when I am in there. FOr example only during circle time, dancing, and reading.

The older kids have to walk through the little ones space to get to the rest room, but they don't get to use the toys in their.

I will teach the little on tuesday and thursday and off and on for about 10 minutes at a time about 3 or 4 times a day. Otherwise he self entertains.

The other days that he is here I allow the more gentle kids to come play with him for a short period of time and then back to self entertain.

This way he is not always alone, and I am not stressing out about him getting hurt by the bigs or choking on a preschool item....

I started him a few months back and it took me about 3 weeks to get him used to it....