Ideal Daycare Setups/Must-haves

[mamac]

My husband has asked me to delay opening for a couple months so that he can remodel the entire basement for me! happyface I will end up with 3/4 of the existing space in a L shape. What are some of your "must-haves" for a new space if you were able to do it all over again? How would you set it up?

[MissAnn]

I would check with fire Marshall rules to make sure the space will qualify, but maybe you already did that. Good luck! My program is right in my living space. I truly do live in a daycare but I love it.

[nanglgrl]

We remodeled our basement and I LOVE it! There are photos in the decor group that show most of it. The must haves really depend on what ages you care for. I don't take infants so I don't need all of their gear which gives me even more space.

We had to have an egress window in our basement and the state also required that we have permanent stairs leading up to the window from the inside. I didn't want to have any wasted space so I had my husband build a loft. The stairs lead up to the window and the costume/reading area. Under the loft is storage for nap mats and a child sized living room.

The other thing I would never give up is my storage. They are just cupboards from Wal-Mart but everything has a space and it's impossible for the kids to make a big mess.

The photo of the green shelf is from my science/sensory area. I love this shelf because it works great to organize everything in this center making it easy for me to grab an activity and learn.

The fourth photo is the locker. It's nice to have a place for all of their things and to have it up high so they can't get the papers for home out or the blankets/pacifiers they aren't allowed until quiet time.

[mamac]

I would check with fire Marshall rules to make sure the space will qualify, but maybe you already did that. Good luck! My program is right in my living space. I truly do live in a daycare but I love it.

We don't need to get an inspection from the fire marshal here, just from our state licensor. Odd because I know their training obviously isn't as extensive as the fire marshal. :confused: I already have my basement licensed for child care so I would just need another quick inspection for the added space. I am also using my living space because I can't stand being cooped up in one area no matter how big it is. I need a change of scenery once in a while.

[mamac]

We remodeled our basement and I LOVE it! There are photos in the decor group that show most of it. The must haves really depend on what ages you care for. I don't take infants so I don't need all of their gear which gives me even more space.

We had to have an egress window in our basement and the state also required that we have permanent stairs leading up to the window from the inside. I didn't want to have any wasted space so I had my husband build a loft. The stairs lead up to the window and the costume/reading area. Under the loft is storage for nap mats and a child sized living room.

The other thing I would never give up is my storage. They are just cupboards from Wal-Mart but everything has a space and it's impossible for the kids to make a big mess.

The photo of the green shelf is from my science/sensory area. I love this shelf because it works great to organize everything in this center making it easy for me to grab an activity and learn.

The fourth photo is the locker. It's nice to have a place for all of their things and to have it up high so they can't get the papers for home out or the blankets/pacifiers they aren't allowed until quiet time.

I saw the pic of your loft in the décor forum but I didn't quite get the pic until now. I love it! Great use of space! And I am SO going to build a loft! We just came back from a center that was closing and she had one. My sons LOVED it! I was able to poke around for an hour and get some really great things while they played. We ended up filling our pickup truck for under $200! She also had the shelves similar to your green one but she wasn't ready to sell yet. I am in definite need of some storage shelves, bins, etc. We're taking a trip to Ikea next weekend to see what they have.

My basement is the free play area. It currently has a pretend play area(kitchen, workshop, dress up, etc) free art (chalkboard wall, table & chairs, small storage cabinet) and a large open area with a train table. I also have a swing, rope ladder and rings hanging from the joists in front of a large mirror. My sensory/science/"classroom" area is upstairs in one room.

I really like the idea of keeping their things up high but unfortunately I don't have any place to put lockers or shelving when they arrive. I am only able to have hooks for their coats but my husband is going to build me a cubby bench for their shoes.

I've been searching around for ideas on "areas" to incorporate into the added space. I have arranged and RE-arranged so many times but I always feel like I am missing something.

[EAP]

A counter top area for me with cabinets below, I added this about 3 months ago love the storage. We got the cabinets at IKEA and counter top at home depot.

A storage area for the cots - been trying to figure that out since day one.

Actual cubbies or lockers - we use the trofast system from IKEA for some of their things and coat hooks, but to have it all in one place would be ideal.


What I wish I didn't buy - 3 sided easel - huge waste of money and they are constantly trying to go inside it - we currently have it apart and are either going to sell it or wall mount the easels.

[Blackcat31]

The number one thing I enjoy about my space is a completely separate cubby/coat room or area.

I love that the parents come in to drop off or pick up and everything (parents, mess from outdoors and bad behvior from DCK's) stays out there.

Eliminates a ton of issues provider's vent about.

[Meeko]

The number one thing I enjoy about my space is a completely separate cubby/coat room or area.

I love that the parents come in to drop off or pick up and everything (parents, mess from outdoors and bad behvior from DCK's) stays out there.

Eliminates a ton of issues provider's vent about.

Same here. All arrivals and departures at the door. We have sign in and out and cubbies all in the same place.

We use the whole basement. but during most arrivals and departures, the kids are in another part of the basement. No drama by the door. They are not allowed to rush to the door to see who it is. We call the child when their parent arrives.

I wouldn't set up any other way.

You can see my pics in the decor section.

[mamac]

Same here. All arrivals and departures at the door. We have sign in and out and cubbies all in the same place.

We use the whole basement. but during most arrivals and departures, the kids are in another part of the basement. No drama by the door. They are not allowed to rush to the door to see who it is. We call the child when their parent arrives.

I wouldn't set up any other way.

You can see my pics in the decor section.

I tried taking a peek at your pics in the décor section but for some reason all yours are teeny weeny. Is there a setting that can be changed or is it just your pics? All the others are large enough to view. From what I can see I really love your space! Very neat and organized. lovethis