Playroom Issues

[Annalee]

Sadly I don't have room for centers. I so wish I did! Every time I read about centers on here I get jealous! I do have a shelf of puzzles and games that they have to ask before they get down, because of the pieces and such. I let them play with them at will, but I like to know so I can supervise pick up of them.

I know a great provider that has minimal, and I do mean minimal, space. She takes science boards and separates the three centers and rotates monthly...she has her daycare space in her dining room. Along the wall she will divide into three spaces with the science boards allowing the wall to be the backdrop barrier for all three centers. She is allowed to keep seven children. I like to take new providers to her house because they see that even the smallest space can be set up in centers. She limits the number to two that can be in each center. She has a small table and 7 chairs for the children to have meals on or do art work, etc. It is slightly away from the three centers. She also uses the science boards as a display board and can fold them up on the weekend for her family to use the dining room. Just sharing an idea!

[Thriftylady]

I know a great provider that has minimal, and I do mean minimal, space. She takes science boards and separates the three centers and rotates monthly...she has her daycare space in her dining room. Along the wall she will divide into three spaces with the science boards allowing the wall to be the backdrop barrier for all three centers. She is allowed to keep seven children. I like to take new providers to her house because they see that even the smallest space can be set up in centers. She limits the number to two that can be in each center. She has a small table and 7 chairs for the children to have meals on or do art work, etc. It is slightly away from the three centers. She also uses the science boards as a display board and can fold them up on the weekend for her family to use the dining room. Just sharing an idea!

It sounds great, yet I am having a hard time picturing it. I do use my dining room for daycare, but mostly for arts and crafts and of course for eating. I use my living room, playroom and dining room. Of course in the playroom are also lots of book cases for storage of toys and games. And the dining room has storage for food (tiny galley kitchen), and art supplies. I do let the older ones use the table for games and puzzles when I have little ones here who can't have the pieces.

[Heidi]

A couple ideas:

Put everything where you want it, then take a picture of that shelf/area, and post the picture above the area. This is the guide or template for the children to put things back. "It should look just like this when you're done".

Give them work or play times, then give them a warning. "In 15 minutes, we will have breakfast/snack/art time. I will expect everything to be put back where it belongs before you join us". Then, give them another 5 minute warning. "Ok, clean up time, we eat in 5 minutes." If you have an timer they can see, better yet. This gives them fair warning.

Put on some clean up music? Even a 7 year old won't mind making it a little fun. It doesn't have to be "kids" music, just something up-tempo.

We complain that children now-a-days "don't know how to play" anymore because they're addicted to screens, but then we limit their play to one thing. They need to "make a mess" to get engrossed in good, deep play.

For things like Duplos/Legos, we always layed a sheet on the floor. They could dump them out, dig through them, etc, and when it was over, just pick up 3 corners and slide them back in the bin.

I would also have a "save spot" for things that they want to save, such as a Lego building. Obviously not forever, but there are some things kids like to work on over a few days. Maybe they can save things until Friday, and then ceremoniously dump it back into it's place (themselves, with forwarning, of course).

[childcaremom]

A couple ideas:

Put everything where you want it, then take a picture of that shelf/area, and post the picture above the area. This is the guide or template for the children to put things back. "It should look just like this when you're done".

Give them work or play times, then give them a warning. "In 15 minutes, we will have breakfast/snack/art time. I will expect everything to be put back where it belongs before you join us". Then, give them another 5 minute warning. "Ok, clean up time, we eat in 5 minutes." If you have an timer they can see, better yet. This gives them fair warning.

Put on some clean up music? Even a 7 year old won't mind making it a little fun. It doesn't have to be "kids" music, just something up-tempo.

We complain that children now-a-days "don't know how to play" anymore because they're addicted to screens, but then we limit their play to one thing. They need to "make a mess" to get engrossed in good, deep play.

For things like Duplos/Legos, we always layed a sheet on the floor. They could dump them out, dig through them, etc, and when it was over, just pick up 3 corners and slide them back in the bin.

I would also have a "save spot" for things that they want to save, such as a Lego building. Obviously not forever, but there are some things kids like to work on over a few days. Maybe they can save things until Friday, and then ceremoniously dump it back into it's place.

I think this is good advice. my group of olders will ask if they can get stuff out and I will tell them that as long as they will clean up after then they can. I don't limit toys out but will ask if they are still playing with the other. If they are done then it needs to get cleaned up. Lots of time warnings and natural consequences if they don't follow through with the cleanup aspect.