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I am trying to set up "centers", but it seems so complicated. Math center, Science Center, Dramatic Play Center, Block Center, Manipulatives Center, Sand & Water Center, Writing Center, Library Center, etc! I don't have space for much, so I'm looking for ways you all have set up your play areas (since you probably don't have anymore room than us!). Would you mind posting some pictures of your set-ups? If you think you could give me some good tips, I'll send you a PM with a picture of the room I'm trying to set up better. We have the same problem as many others with 2 yr old dumpers. They also love to take toys out of their bins and throw them across the room just for fun. But we also have older preschoolers and school agers who know how to play right with the toys, but the toddlers put a damper on the toys we can have available for them. Keeping them seperate isn't an option. Sooo, I'd love to see your set-ups!
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Actually, it's not so much the space (considering how little space other home care providers have to work with, we have a huge space), but it's the lack of funds for additional shelving and toys, as in $0
And the room I'm talking about also has to be used as the nap room, as there is nowhere else to do it. I'd rather not have to move all the furniture and toys everytime we get ready for nap and then rearrange it again when they get up and we put away all the cots.
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I don't have a pic now, but for my learning centers, I have:
Quiet/reading area (books, puzzles, manipulatives, doll house)
Block (blocks of all kinds, animals, cars, trains, construction, etc)
Dramatic play (kitchen, dress-up, music, whatever other pretend stuff we're rotating in)
Art (paper, crayons, markers, glue etc etc)
I have science, math, etc woven throughout the room and we often do science/math for small group activities anyways.
Not sure if that helps, but I'll try to post a pic later...Comment
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The only free standing centers that I have are the book nook (reading center), Imagination station (pretend play), puzzles and the art center which is actually just an easil. I put all of my other "centers" into plastic bins and pull them out when I need them. All of my supplies too like my art supplies, craft supplies etc. If we do the math center I pull out the manipulatives tote and they have at it at the child size table. Same thing goes with the science and cooking center. The sand and water centers are outside. I just get everything that I need out in the AM and have it ready when they arrive.Comment
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We live in a open concept ranch so I'm able to split up some of my centers. I have pretend play (dress up, doll house, food) in my daughter's room, Reading nook and blocks/cars in the living room, and art in my dining room. I have room for 2-3 other centers and switch it up all the time, maybe every 2 weeks. For math, science, cooking, puzzles, bigger A&C, I just take out the bins when we're ready to start. I've done this with my own kids since we move here and downsized from 2200 to 1300 sq ft. Luckily I have a huge basement for storage that's just begging to be refinished as a daycare room. Just waiting to win the lottery
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I have about 400 square feet of space. I have:
Art/Writing
Dramatic PLay
Math/Science
Blcoks and circle time area
Cozy/book corner
Discovery Table in my entry
Let me see if my pics will work here:
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Okay, that didn't work. Let me see if I can get some help.Comment
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Your last one didn't post either, Crystal. It just has a small box with an x in it.Comment
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I know. I'm trying. Sorry.Comment
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okay, let's see if this one works:Attached FilesComment
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YAY. I did it!
Here are a few more:Attached FilesComment
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The problem was that Shutterfly, where the picture is, has a member login to get acces to the photo. Best thing to do is upload it to the Daycare.com forum server.Comment
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couple more...Attached FilesComment
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Crystal, I love the space you have for art.Comment
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