Need Help With My Space !?!?

[Provider_Manda]

Hey guys,
I seen where someone had posted about organizing her daycare room. Well I am kinda in the position. I have one room that I have as the "daycare room" All the toys, and diapers and everything is in this one room. And it is a small room. I don't have an extra room to seperate anything. And now I have a playpen in my living room and the other kids sleep on the couches. I would love to one day make a nap/changing room..but that will be a long time. I would love to have you guys look at these pics and give me your idea's. I seen some pictures that was posted and what a wonderful job !! Also I need to get some poster's/learning type things for the wall..Do you guys get yours locally or order them from somewhere ? THanks guys hope to get some great feedback !!

[MarinaVanessa]

I think for me it seems that it's really disoirganized and cluttered without many "furniture" pieces. I guess furniture is difficult though in a small room so I'd tackle all of the toys with some sort or organization like bins or low shelves of some sort. I once saw an idea here about how someone took a tall, slim bookshelf and turned it sideways then added one long shelf across it to make a low shelf for toys. You can do something like this and I don't think it would take up too much room because the shelves are slim. You can put the toys on the shelf so that they aren't all crowded under the changing table.

You can also maybe put the dramatic play stuff in a corner to create a "center" so that the space has a more defined space. Posters would really help you here too since the walls seem so bare and all of the persons eye gets drawn to the toys. Do you have a Dollar Tree store in your area? They have tons of school stuff (for teachers) that I bet you can put up on your walls. I've seen alphabet cut-outs, bulletin board supplies, big posters etc. If not I'd google a discount school supply store and look at their clearance and sale items. Sometimes they have shipping deals.

[Sunchimes]

I was at the Teacher's Tools store in Fort Worth this week. They have some really nice early learning posters for $2.49. They have an online catalog.

http://www.teachers-tools.com/browse.cfm/early-learning/2,118.html

[Provider_Manda]

Thanks so much for the website !! And I know it looks disorganized, and it's even worse cause it is also my son's playroom and now it has even more toys in there..I wish I had a whole other room, but right now that is not going to happen. So I have a big living room..should I put some stuff in there ? I really would love all ideas..I really need some kid furniture, but then again where does it go..

My husband made that bench for me that has the books on top and toys on the bottom in the canvas totes. Maybe he needs to make another one ?

[MarinaVanessa]

I know what you mean about small spaces. I live in a 1200 sq ft condo and only the downstairs is used for DC. I have one half bath, my living room and kitchen available for DC so I have to get creative with the space. We have a small patio area in the back which I have completely taken over for DC to add to our space.

If I hadn't already started on my deep-cleaning and my stuff wasn't everywhere I'd take photos and show you. I think what helps me is that I have a lot of toys that can be sorted into types which I keep in bins and wooden crates. I don't have many electronic toys or random toys, mostly blocks, lincoln logs, instruments, cars, books and baby toys right now. The rest is in the closet or in the garage. Again, they're all in bins so it doesn't seem so cluttered in here.

[SunflowerMama]

I 2nd the Dollar Tree comment. They have great teacher resources and of course are very affordable.

Because the room is smaller maybe you could add some gutter bookshelves on the wall to pull your books off the bench. This would leave more room for playing plus give you something to help fill the walls. This is what they look like in my room and they save a lot of room. The gutters and all supplies only cost about $12 (we have 4 total shelves in the daycare room).



I also agree with pulling a few toys to open up the room. Maybe get rid of a few of the bigger toys and replace with toys that take up less room but still have a lot of possibilities (blocks, legos, lincoln logs, etc.)...toys that could be stored in those canvas bins you already have to open more floor space. My thought is always "less is more".

[Provider_Manda]

I 2nd the Dollar Tree comment. They have great teacher resources and of course are very affordable.

Because the room is smaller maybe you could add some gutter bookshelves on the wall to pull your books off the bench. This would leave more room for playing plus give you something to help fill the walls. This is what they look like in my room and they save a lot of room. The gutters and all supplies only cost about $12 (we have 4 total shelves in the daycare room).



I also agree with pulling a few toys to open up the room. Maybe get rid of a few of the bigger toys and replace with toys that take up less room but still have a lot of possibilities (blocks, legos, lincoln logs, etc.)...toys that could be stored in those canvas bins you already have to open more floor space. My thought is always "less is more".

I love those bookshelves !! What toys do you think I should pull..I already took down the swing and bouncy, the little one I have don't use it..And the turtle is gone !!

[SilverSabre25]

I think that maybe pulling the little bitty mini kitchen that's sitting beside the big kitchen would be good...unless you have babies that play with it.

If it's possible to use your living room for daycare space during the day, maybe allowing a few toys out there, that would probably be good so that the kids can spread out more.

What ages and how many kids do you watch?

[SunflowerMama]

I love those bookshelves !! What toys do you think I should pull..I already took down the swing and bouncy, the little one I have don't use it..And the turtle is gone !!

I would maybe get rid of the 2 small toys to the right of the kitchen (mailbox and the other toy). Then I would look at the toys in the bins and just choose maybe half from each that you know they won't miss. Maybe also that green longer toy to the right of the bench...unless it's something they really love.

I think sometimes WE love certain toys and keep them around even when the kids don't play with them. Just re-evaluate what you have and if downsizing might help.

[Provider_Manda]

I think that maybe pulling the little bitty mini kitchen that's sitting beside the big kitchen would be good...unless you have babies that play with it.

If it's possible to use your living room for daycare space during the day, maybe allowing a few toys out there, that would probably be good so that the kids can spread out more.

What ages and how many kids do you watch?

My son is 2, I watch an 8 month old, 17 month old and a 10 year old.

[Michael]

I'm, seeing walls that could use some higher shelves.

[countrymom]

I think if you need shelves, and some areas. Like I would make a kitchen corner and a reading corner, throw down some fun rugs too. Buy some cheap frames and hang childrens art in them. I love ikea for storage. Or you can buy those wardrobe cabinets from walmart with doors and will hide the stuff so the room looks bigger (I have them and the kids have to ask to go in them because thats where I keep legos and small stuff)

[Michelle]

I would buy those pretty wicker baskets to put diapers,wipes, and extra clothes in to go on the shelves of the changing table.
People associate changing tables with stinky diapers and to have toys stacked in there is kinda icky.
Put the toys in canvas bins or on shelves.
I love your carpet and curtains!happyface

[Sprouts]

I think the posters should be at the children's eye level or they don't really benefit from it. You could also get some really cute wall decals from amazon that are trees or flowers or cute animals to add some animation to the walls. I would try and stay away From any commercial items like Disney and stuff, that's me though. Now is the time to exploit ur husband and his building! Lol

The gutter shelves are really nice idea to save space too!
If no one else minds you using the living room I would def. use it, and maybe use this room for sleep or other activities? Especially for the baby

[Michelle]

Also, it is better that they sleep on mats or cots and not your couches...for sanitary reasons..they pee, drool, etc.
could you put the baby swing and seat in the living room?