Help with Sign-in Area?

[AmyKidsCo]

I'm looking for ideas to clean up the look of my sign-in area on top of the cubbies. (See photo) I want to make it look nicer, more welcoming, less cluttered, and incorporate natural materials. (Wood frames maybe?)

The far left frame is lesson plans, the clipboard is the sign-in, the right-hand frame is the newsletter, and the menu is usually lying down in front of the digital frame.

I'm thinking about putting the lesson plans and/or newsletter in farmes on the wall, but the wall is always at the parents' backs so I'm not sure they'd look there.

Any suggestions? Anyone want to share photos of your sign-in area?

[blandino]

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[nothingwithoutjoy]

I'm looking for ideas to clean up the look of my sign-in area on top of the cubbies. (See photo) I want to make it look nicer, more welcoming, less cluttered, and incorporate natural materials. (Wood frames maybe?)

The far left frame is lesson plans, the clipboard is the sign-in, the right-hand frame is the newsletter, and the menu is usually lying down in front of the digital frame.

I'm thinking about putting the lesson plans and/or newsletter in farmes on the wall, but the wall is always at the parents' backs so I'm not sure they'd look there.

Any suggestions? Anyone want to share photos of your sign-in area?

Warming up spaces is one of my favorite topics! Hope I can help a bit.

I'd say a plant on the shelf and maybe a runner of some beautiful fabric would make it very welcoming and warm.

Yes, I think wood frames would complement the shelf nicely.

Or you could have a notebook lying there that has the plans and newsletter in it; parents could flip through if they want, and it could be covered with attractive paper or fabric and fit in with the look you're going for.

Does the newsletter need to be posted? I'd send it home and clear the space for something more visually appealing.

It looks like maybe you've got a branch in a vase next to the shelf? What if you hung the branch (or another) above the shelf, and suspended frames from it (I tried to find a picture of what I mean on Pinterest, and came close with this.) Then you'd have a "wall" right in front of parents, but could leave it open enough that it doesn't obstruct your view. You could add some kid art, too, if you wanted (something like this, maybe.)

[Brooksie]

This is my cubby area and above it is my bulletin board. Its all RIGHT as you come in the door. I chose lighter materials and put colorful baskets and scrapbook paper in them to brighten it up. I also use Checkinkids.com and have people sign in on my laptop. Less clutter and paper work.

[MarinaVanessa]

I already think that your space looks uncluttered and clean but if you are looking to clear some space on the surface can you get the clear acrylic notice holders and mount them on the wall neatly? That way you can switch papers easily by slipping them in and out quickly unless you don't change the papers inside. If you change them regualarly like menus, lessons and calendars then a frame would be cumbersome for me to have to switch out.

[AmyKidsCo]

https://m.facebook.com/landinofamily...ser=1439010016

https://m.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?...ser=1439010016

Nice entrance area! I noticed that you have things on the wall behind the door - do parents actually look at them? My biggest concern is that if I put things on the wall instead of in their faces the parents wouldn't see them.

I wouldn't HAVE to post the newsletter, but by posting it I can't have a parent say that they didn't know about something because they never got the newsletter - it's right there for them to see twice a day.

[AmyKidsCo]

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This is my cubby area and above it is my bulletin board. Its all RIGHT as you come in the door. I chose lighter materials and put colorful baskets and scrapbook paper in them to brighten it up. I also use Checkinkids.com and have people sign in on my laptop. Less clutter and paper work.

Your photos don't show up for me. It sounds nice though.

[preschoolteacher]

I think putting a large bulletin board over the shelf is a great idea--but I would only post 1-2 things on it at a time, and I'd change them frequently so they don't become "background." If parents expect them to be relevant and to change, then they will probably look at them more often!

You could get a bulletin board/cork board and cover it with fabric. Just a cheap yard from the fabric store should be good enough, and a staple gun can get it on there quick. Maybe you would want to change the fabric a few times a year to shake things up a bit! Ha!

I would definitely add a plant to the top of the shelf. You could attach the pot/vase to the top of the shelf with some adhesive strips so nobody knocks it off.

Our cubby/sign-in space is still in the works, but this is my plan:
-Designate our small front closet for cubbies (build them into the closet)
-Hang the clipboard with the sign-in sheet on the door to that small closet. Attach a small digital clock to the clipboard for parents to use when writing down the time.

Our bulletin board/notice area is actually further in--it's in the kitchen/eating area in a very main spot. I want to encourage parents to walk in and spend a few minutes here, and so this is where I will be posting information but nothing too important--important communication will be emailed to parents.

[AmyKidsCo]

Warming up spaces is one of my favorite topics! Hope I can help a bit.

I'd say a plant on the shelf and maybe a runner of some beautiful fabric would make it very welcoming and warm.

Yes, I think wood frames would complement the shelf nicely.

Or you could have a notebook lying there that has the plans and newsletter in it; parents could flip through if they want, and it could be covered with attractive paper or fabric and fit in with the look you're going for.

Does the newsletter need to be posted? I'd send it home and clear the space for something more visually appealing.

It looks like maybe you've got a branch in a vase next to the shelf? What if you hung the branch (or another) above the shelf, and suspended frames from it (I tried to find a picture of what I mean on Pinterest, and came close with this.) Then you'd have a "wall" right in front of parents, but could leave it open enough that it doesn't obstruct your view. You could add some kid art, too, if you wanted (something like this, maybe.)

Great minds think alike, LOL! I have both of those photos pinned as things I want to add at some point. I'm still trying to decide what to do with the branch. I kind of like it as-is, but I've also thought of hanging beaded strings from it... Or letting the kids weave on it... Or hanging self-portraits from it... or family-made art... Or...

I love the idea of having a notebook with the newsletter and lesson plans in it! I could have the sign-in on the first page, and the other things under it, then have just a small wood frame for the menu. Great idea, thanks!

I also like the idea of a runner and plant, but have a runner and plant on the cupboard that has the branch. It's a lower cupboard that makes a "T" shape with the cubbies as the vertical line. I'm afraid it'll look a little too "Grandma's house" if I have runners and plants on both surfaces, kwim? Maybe a small shelf on the wall with a trailing plant? I have 2 hanging plants in the windows so I hesitate to add another hanging plant.

Decisions, decisions...

[blandino]

Nice entrance area! I noticed that you have things on the wall behind the door - do parents actually look at them? My biggest concern is that if I put things on the wall instead of in their faces the parents wouldn't see them.

I wouldn't HAVE to post the newsletter, but by posting it I can't have a parent say that they didn't know about something because they never got the newsletter - it's right there for them to see twice a day.

No one really checks the board - it just has to be up for licensing.

Parents know that all their art, notices, and papers go in that zebra print file - so they check that daily.

It probably helps that there is a sign on the door that asks parents to shut the door coming in and out - so it isn't always blocked.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I put things on the wall on a bulletin board that says "INFO" and post things that I REALLY want them to read directly above the sign in iPad.

They rarely read the bulletin board. Only two parents out of all of them do to see the menu and occasionally to see what we're learning about (which is also posted on the calendar on the website).

[nothingwithoutjoy]

[QUOTE]

Great minds think alike, LOL! I have both of those photos pinned as things I want to add at some point.

Too funny!

I love the idea of having a notebook with the newsletter and lesson plans in it! I could have the sign-in on the first page, and the other things under it, then have just a small wood frame for the menu. Great idea, thanks!

You're welcome!

I also like the idea of a runner and plant, but have a runner and plant on the cupboard that has the branch. It's a lower cupboard that makes a "T" shape with the cubbies as the vertical line. I'm afraid it'll look a little too "Grandma's house" if I have runners and plants on both surfaces, kwim?

Definitely! Maybe you could cluster a few plants--one or two on the low shelf; one on the higher shelf, maybe trailing down to tie the two heights together.

And if not a runner, maybe a low shallow basket or an interesting tray. Or maybe a vase of flowers behind your digital frame to soften it a bit. Oooh...now I'm having fun brainstorming!...maybe a kid-made frame for your digital frame (driftwood glued to a base frame or some such thing...).