Thinking of Changing My Space...

[Familycare71]

A few years ago we did an addition on our home so I could have a bedroom only for daycare. In Dec we had a teen girl move in with us and she shared the dc room- so it had a bed, dressers, etc... She recently moved out and it made me realize how much I need that space!!
Currently I have that room (12x10 aprox) set up as storage of toys and used for nap. We use my living room(right next to the bedroom) and dining room for any activities we do. I am thinking I may want to use the room as our play area- and nap area. So that would leave the living room only used for special tv time and the dining room for possibly crafts (haven't decided if I want to try a table in the dc room) and lunch.
Do you think the room is big enough? I can have up to 6 pre-school kids and 2 school age on top of that... Typically I have about 4-5 young kids and the rest school age- I am sure we would have to use the living room when school age kids are here because some littles are still sleeping when they come home. But while school age are doing their hw the littles could be in the bedroom as I don't have to have direct eye contact on the older kids...
So any advice is appreciated- thanks!!!

[Unregistered]

In my opinion that is not enough room for 6 kids. I'm not sure what your licensing rules are but in Michigan we need 35 (usable) sq. feet per child. So for 6 kids-210 sq. feet.is the minimum.I like to have 50 sq. feet per child personally.
A 12x10 room would only be 120 sq. feet,not even enough for 4 children.

[cheerfuldom]

no I dont think one room is a big enough space, even if you occasionally use the rest of the house.

[SilverSabre25]

It has to be 35 sq ft available in the entire building/house, i believe. not in a single room. if she uses the dining room sometimes, it counts. if they play in the living room sometimes, it counts. even if it's not in use every second.

[Crystal]

I would set it up as a play space and napping area. I would use the living room for school-age, as they do not need to use the preschool space at all. I would set up space in the dining room for homework, using a shelf for school supplies and if doing art with the littles, a shelf for that stuff as well.

You do not have to do all play exclusively in that room....perhaps set up space outdoors for dramatic play, or blocks, etc. You can even set up an art studio outdoors.

Yes, I think it could work, if you set it up so that there is room to move around, and also utilize other spaces for active, physical play and art.

[Familycare71]

I would set it up as a play space and napping area. I would use the living room for school-age, as they do not need to use the preschool space at all. I would set up space in the dining room for homework, using a shelf for school supplies and if doing art with the littles, a shelf for that stuff as well.

You do not have to do all play exclusively in that room....perhaps set up space outdoors for dramatic play, or blocks, etc. You can even set up an art studio outdoors.

Yes, I think it could work, if you set it up so that there is room to move around, and also utilize other spaces for active, physical play and art.

Yes- maybe I stated it wrong...
I would use the bedroom (measured 10x14) for preschool and play: puzzles, toys, and circle time... Unless I do a drop down table I wouldn't do crafts in there. Anything large motor we still have the living room and of course- outside! So it def isn't my only space but I feel it is being greatly under utilized!!
I like the idea of not going back and forth with toys and just keeping it all contained in one room for the most part.
I have looked at other pictures and it doesn't seem (I know angle and what not can be tricky) too much bigger and they look like fun engaging spaces-
I want to have a wall the kids paint pics and put hand prints on, a large safe mirror, maybe a car rug...

[Meyou]

I keep all my toys in a 10x12 playroom (former main floor bedroom) that the kids use daily. It's also used as my naproom. We do alot of gross motor play in the living room/dining room and I have all of my quiet play materials in the dining room as well. It works very well for me. I can tuck almost everything daycare in the playroom on the weekends and it gives the kids clear boundaries as to where we play toys vs where we play quietly at the table or on the floor.

It also creates separate playspaces inside which makes winter much easier. We can move from area to area and change things up quite easily.

[Crystal]

Totally doable! Get creative with the space. Perhaps take doors off of the closet and put a play kitchen, dress up, etc. in that space. I built small shelves into my windows for paint supplies, etc. Of course it is necessary to keep it neat and organized, using nice containers for materials etc. to keep the space "calm" and inviting. I recommend not getting carried away with color on the walls and going with more of a neutral tone so as to avoid a feeling of chaos and being overwhelmed. If possible, carve some holes into the walls and create built in shelving so you can save floor space. I think a drop down table is a great idea.....you can even paint the side that would be up on the wall when not used as a table with chalkboard paint, making it work for more than one thing.

Have fun with it!!!! happyface

[Familycare71]

Yes- that is what I was thinking! I could have more defined space!! And I LOVE the idea of doing chalk on the underside of the fold up table! Great ideas thank you so much!!!
I'm thinking of making the closet a quiet reading nook- pillows on the floor and books on the walls- no door of course
I'm excited happyface

[LoraJenkins]

I just set up a 12x13 room for play two weeks age and LOVE it. We still use the living room for naps and circle time, the kitchen for art & lunch but the "play room" is for centers. The littles love it and I love that the toys are all in one room. It is definitely doable.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

That is about the size of my playroom. We use my kitchen/ breakfast nook also but my primary space is my playroom. It seems a little bigger because it has sliding glass doors out to the patio. Snacks and crafts are in the breakfast nook.

[Familycare71]

Thank you everyone!! I am so excited . I can't wait to have centers!!