Play Space For Mixed Aged Group

[Cat Herder]

Cat herder: Do you use something like this? If so, which group do you spend more time with? I don't have much in the way of mixed ages right now, but if I did, I'm not sure how I'd handle it.

I have two door sections in the gates dividing the room in half. There are three 5'x3' play rugs surrounded by shelving/bins/equipment on each side to create six "mixed age" centers. The tables and chairs are in the center on each side of the gate. My desk is on the infant side.

I set up the gates depending on how many kids of each age I have. If only one infant, then I take down and reconfigure the gate to a smaller "littles" area. That is the beauty of these gates. I used to have them built in of wood, so limited adaptability for QRIS. This was my solution.

I also have static soft seating/library/circle time and climber area with the art cabinets in the back corner. I have not found a better solution for it's constant availability to the "littles" since their area has less space available due to the changing table, cribs and sink. I know, first world problems, but it does cost me points..

The gates are zip tied open during large group activities to allow free mingling of the "safe for all ages" toys that stay out. It feels like cheating to record the lesson as "free choice" because I know that as soon as I open those gates every child is immediately going to run to the opposite side of where they were and I use that to my advantage when I see tension building in any center. :: Most toys are stored up, and brought down/rotated in during the day according the the lesson plan.

The gates are closed/locked during the age specific centers/activities, that I set up by adding items in during morning snack and nap , then they go to the side that aligns with their curriculum for the small group/individual activities.

I am in the room 95% of the day with everyone. I am furniture. I set up, model, then back out to observe and be visually boring at my desk. I only step in when they need me. I strive to follow RIE with a hyper-vigilant eye to escalation patterns, physical activity and nutrition. It makes the most sense to me. Ironically, I did not know RIE was a "thing" until after I had been doing something similar for all these years. :::: Now that I have a marketable name for it, it is much easier to explain to people.

http://www.magdagerber.org/blog/magda-gerbers-rie-philosophy-basic-principles

[daycare]

This is so true!

Some of the most difficult kids I've had in care were those that started after age 1-1.5 yrs old. The easiest kids I've had over the years are those I've gotten in the first year of life. Helps that they basically learn within your environment so my rules are all they've known.

I find that separating the kids not so much by age but by ability makes a huge difference. Once my kiddos start walking (full on walking) they are no longer allowed in the non-mobile areas. Once they master toilet use and can communicate at least 50% of their needs/wants they get to move to an older room.

I currently have a 2.5 yr old in the "oldest" room and I have an almost 3 yr old that still spend a majority of their day in the toddler area (cruisers/climbers) so it's rarely by age but more by development.

IME, it's the difference in developmental stages that causes the most discord. Grouping kids that way helps eliminate some of those issues.

I couldn't agree with this more.
I always have parents ask me "at what age can my child.....". I always respond with it's not based on age, I base it off their abilities.

I firmly believe this helps the children who need knowledge and modeling examples to be able to see them time and time again.

I don't have any children under 2, but I do have a child who is 4 with the majority of my younhet kids. He had a hard time making good choices around children his own age, but jumps right into "let me teach you something " when it comes to the younger kids.

I also have a 2.5 year old in with my pre-kinders. He can read and keep up with them all day.

By doing things this way I see children who may not have the ability develop it faster by always having a peer around who does. Yes, this usually is an older and younger child, with the older setting the tone, but not always.

[Cat Herder]

All the above to say: The play centers below average $3,000. The gates allow me to create something similar for each age group, that is in my budget.

[momofsix]

Blackcat, so are these gates sturdy enough for a child to pull on them without them tipping?
I currently use shelves to block off my infant area, and sections of a 6 section play yard for more temporary sectioning, but I don't like the way the play yard works because the kids can pull it or move it. Generally the older kids know not to touch the gates, but the younger ones try to pull on it or get through.

[Blackcat31]

Blackcat, so are these gates sturdy enough for a child to pull on them without them tipping?
I currently use shelves to block off my infant area, and sections of a 6 section play yard for more temporary sectioning, but I don't like the way the play yard works because the kids can pull it or move it. Generally the older kids know not to touch the gates, but the younger ones try to pull on it or get through.

Wrong cat... Cat Herder has the gates

[Cat Herder]

Blackcat, so are these gates sturdy enough for a child to pull on them without them tipping?
I currently use shelves to block off my infant area, and sections of a 6 section play yard for more temporary sectioning, but I don't like the way the play yard works because the kids can pull it or move it. Generally the older kids know not to touch the gates, but the younger ones try to pull on it or get through.

Yes, it is sturdy. They can shake it, less than with chain link, though. It is also easier to wipe down than the dust collecting play yard frames that dry rot.

The have large plastic handled bolts that lock them down or allow you to reconfigure. I have some linked together and some wedged between two bookshelves, back to back, as needed. You can also screw them to a wall or pressure mount them, they have a lot of options. There is a video on the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/Regalo-192-Inch-Super-Wide-White/dp/B003VNKLIY/ref=sr_1_1_s_it?s=baby-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1491917583&sr=1-1&keywords=extra+long+baby+gate

[Ariana]

I did something similar to CatHerder with Ikea shelves, the small 4x4 type ones. Worked perfectly. The big kids would pull out a bin and crawl through but the younger ones never figured it out!

[momofsix]

Yes, it is sturdy. They can shake it, less than with chain link, though. It is also easier to wipe down than the dust collecting play yard frames that dry rot.

The have large plastic handled bolts that lock them down or allow you to reconfigure. I have some linked together and some wedged between two bookshelves, back to back, as needed. You can also screw them to a wall or pressure mount them, they have a lot of options. There is a video on the link below:

https://www.amazon.com/Regalo-192-In...long+baby+gate

Thank you! I might have to check them out. The plastic one also tends to get cracks

Wrong cat... Cat Herder has the gates

Oops sorry!

I did something similar to CatHerder with Ikea shelves, the small 4x4 type ones. Worked perfectly. The big kids would pull out a bin and crawl through but the younger ones never figured it out!

I have the same Ikea shelves on the side. I love the way they look, but once my babies get about 7 months they figure out how to pull a bin out and crawl through, little stinkers!

[LysesKids]

I only take 18months and up. and the 18 months old have to pass a little test.

Like-
can they self feed in some way, with or without spoon/fork
stop when someone says
follow 2 step instructions like sit down with your book.
take only one nap
drink from a cup or cup with straw
sit a a table and chair, we don't have high-chairs
there's more, I can't think of others right now... long day.

I have the most well behaved bunch of kids. My oldest child here has been here since 18months and is now 5. I use my 5 year olds to help model and set the examples for the younger children. they love to be my helpers every day.

I only take two under two at a time and will only take them full time. I have never found an under 3 in my program that actually worked out on a PT basis.

Maybe have a age cut off? that way you don't have such a huge gap.

I only take babes up to 18 months (on occasion one or two might stay until 21 months), but I train them to all use miracle cups & 3 oz glasses, they sit at a table from the get go because i don't have highchairs either, just 3 point harness boosters (specially made for 7months to 5 years), they learn to use forks and spoons and we use real dishes . Half my kids go on to Montessori after they leave here so I train them to be independent and have basic life skills