Separate Playareas--Anyone Do This?

[Blackcat31]

I do this too! I have 4 "divided" sections.

I only do full-time care and I do not get full-time infants as in Canada maternity leave is for a year. I get all my full-timers at around 11 months. I also do not do care for children past 4 years of age.

My divided sections are
one section for 11 months to walking in a large gated area
one section for walking to 18 months in another large gated area
2 separate sections one for 18 months to 2.5 years & one for 2.5 years to 4 years (no gates as they know the boundaries of where they are allowed to go and not go)

It has worked very well for me.

I think it works wonderful as well but feel I should clarify that I have an entire house that is devoted to childcare only so for me, I have completely separate rooms set up for kids of certain ages.

In the infant room is infant appropriate toys and stuff for them ONLY as well as the other rooms. I have cameras and mirrors (like they have in convenience stores)the layout of my child care home is one that the kitchen/dining room is the center of the home so all of my other rooms are off that area so while I am in the center room, I can see ALL the nooks and crannies of everyother room.

However, if I lived in a home and ran child care from it, I would still separate the ages/stages as one of the biggest advantages I have noticed since separation is the older kids are alot less sick since my mouthers and droolers are separated from using the same toys and areas as the non-mouthers. IMHO, it keeps the germs and stuff contained to just one area and I think it has had a big effect on the overall health of the others.

[permanentvacation]

I seperate my kids by age groups. It keeps them from fighting as much and allows the older ones to have toys, games, and art project supplies (for the older ones, these almost always have small pieces) available to them at all times while keeping those items away from the younger ones.

I currently only watch infants - 4 year olds. I have the infants and toddlers in the living room and the preschoolers in the dining room. When I watched school kids as well, they had the kitchen.

[My3cents]

I think you need to see them. IF something happens how can you verify it with the parents being upstairs with the little kids. If you want to separate then you should have an assistant. It only takes a sec for a freak accident to happen, fire, child get's hurt, the possibilities are endless. I don't care how good of a bunch of kids you think you have. If I was a paying parent- I would want to know that I am paying you to watch my child at all times, and not let them watch themselves because you feel they are ready to. I don't feel they are ready that is why I have hired you to watch my child when I can not and I expect you to be doing that all the time. Not trying to be harsh but actually trying to help you- not professional either. Your kids- a whole different story, someones else's children........no way. Your asking for trouble. Your talking about two separate floors- not an open viewable space- nope Sorry don't mean to be a Debbie Downer but just not a smart move in my 3cents- Safety issue

[BusyBee]

Well, I called my licensor and she thought it was a great idea! She said considering that I could both see AND hear the schoolagers it is even better than just one or the other. I am completely within the regulations. It is even better that the playarea doors are right by each other, one is just up and one is down.

I guess I am the only one who knows what will work for my daycare and I know my kids and my parents, who would not be upset at all by the way. They would either not really care or totally understand where I am coming from. I think free play for 1/2 hour in the morning and 1/2 hour in the afternoon during the summer is completely acceptable. Considering the fact that we will be going to the park when it is nice, playing outside here, doing crafts, etc. I don't see anything wrong with it. I don't think I need to sit there regulating the SA every move.

Thanks for the input!

[Blackcat31]

Well, I called my licensor and she thought it was a great idea! She said considering that I could both see AND hear the schoolagers it is even better than just one or the other. I am completely within the regulations. It is even better that the playarea doors are right by each other, one is just up and one is down.

I guess I am the only one who knows what will work for my daycare and I know my kids and my parents, who would not be upset at all by the way. They would either not really care or totally understand where I am coming from. I think free play for 1/2 hour in the morning and 1/2 hour in the afternoon during the summer is completely acceptable. Considering the fact that we will be going to the park when it is nice, playing outside here, doing crafts, etc. I don't see anything wrong with it. I don't think I need to sit there regulating the SA every move.

Thanks for the input!

I think with school age kids this is the perfect thing to do to help them build those skills that they will need to become independent and be able to stay home alone as they age. It is important to allow them that space away from "babies" and other kids who are not on the same developmental level....I think it is a great thing that you are actually buiding their self confidence and their ability to be unsupervised.

[BusyBee]

Thank you, Blackcat! That is exactly it! They are such awesome kids--I want them to see that I trust them and give them a chance to prove themselves!

The last poster made me feel like a bad provider--like I am going to put them down there all day and shut the door. I just know that they are going to be so excited to not have to worry about the little kids getting into their stuff. They love the little ones and show them lots of love, but they have the right to play what they want uninterupted!

[Lianne]

I guess I am the only one who knows what will work for my daycare and I know my kids and my parents, who would not be upset at all by the way.

And, just because you decide to try something different, doesn't mean you have to stick with it if you find it doesn't work. Try separate play areas and if it doesn't work, change things back again or try something different Good luck!

[lovemyjob]

"Pick a room" time

I do separate my play areas for portions of the day. After breakfast, each of my older SA kids has a younger buddy that they are assigned to for the week. On the days that I know we will need some "sanity," we have pick-a-room time. I gate off each of my rooms (I am only licensed for our main level) and the pair get to play with whatever is in that room for the time being. It might be for 20 minutes, then we switch..or for the entire time that day. Gives little ones 1-on-1 attention they crave, and the older kids get practice working with a different age kiddo. Later, the older kids get to be "gated" in a room or 2 for big kid time as well while I play with the toddlers/infants. Works like a charm.

If big kids want to do something that little ones should not be a part of, they get to sit at the dining room table or in my porch. I just keep the little ones in the "play" room for those times. Big kids do need their time too.