Room Layout - Any Suggestions?

[Guest terrydoo73]

http://www3.snapfish.co.uk/snapfishuk/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=7004256006/a=95698270_95698270/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfishuk/

 

Here are the photos of my Playgroup room layout and I would seriously like your ideas on how we could improve it.

As you enter in through the doorway (fourth photo in this album will show you the door) you are faced with sand, water and paint all beside each other. These cannot be changed because of the flooring and the fact that we have aprong hangers for the water and paint easel. There is a paint dryer in the corner.

 

Our problem is the block area - the third photo shows you its position - the home corner is in the corner and a bookcase on this side of it which holds our block and small world area together - size is restricted obviously. We have removed the small table to give this area more room - it was originally there for jigsaws and lacing so as to keep the large red and blue rectangular table free for dough play.

 

On each shelf we have different blocks available - stickle bricks, magnetic blocks, brick type foam blocks as well as little people etc. We cannot seem to get enough room to spread the blocks out with the result that they are not used to their full potential.

 

We have 12 children in any 2 1/2 hour session and sometimes it is a case of 4 children in the block and small world area while there may be 1 or 2 in the paint/sand/water/dough/junk art and reading area at the same time. Our home corner is quite busy and popular too - we recently moved it so that it is against the right hand wall now with the table moved out to the centre of the floor - the wooden fridge, cooker etc now sit beside the bookcase for the blocks and small world to create one long wall of storage/play space if you understand what I mean!

[Rea]

Hi Terrydoo, I cant view the photos unless I create an account. Could you upload them directly to here? Click on 'more reply options' at the bottom of the reply box, it gives you another reply box but at the bottom of it you can attach files. :1b

[Guest terrydoo73]

Hopefully these are loaded now!

 

 

 

 

[Fredbear]

Hi Terrydoo73, firstly can i say what a lovely welcoming room you have. As a suggestion is there any reason for your tables to stay out the whole time or are you able to put them to one side to enable you more space at all. Could your block play go outdoors or is this not possible. Although you have sand, water and paint out as your continous provision, is it vital for you to offer all three at each session or could you again put one aside to create more space or take one outside.

Please ignore me if these are rubbbish suggestions, but it is difficult to offer other solutions without seeing your outdoor area too. :1b

[trekker]

Yes I was going to suggest removing the tables too - they do dominate. We used to have three tables like this but were really restricting so we dispensed with them and brought some smaller rectangular fold-up ones that can be easily put away as needed. When a large table space is needed we use a tuff spot on a frame - again easy to pack away and also helps to keep the equipment on the table!

 

Looking at the first and second pictures could you possibly turn the kitchen units so they come out in a row from the end of the radiator (so at right angles to where they are now)?

Then you could use the space in the corner of the room to extend the block area so it comes out from the far wall? ( or is this similar to what you have already changed - Im not quite sure?)

I think you'd have just enough space for the home corner furniture if you moved the dressing up rack over towards the book corner slightly...?

 

Would also agree with trying to reduce what is available ...we do offer sand, water and paint but spread between indoor and outdoors....or you could offer one main one and the others on a smaller scale in shallow trays and rotate.

Edited June 25, 2012 by trekker

[Guest terrydoo73]

A lot of money was spent on the tables, bookcases, paint easel, sand and water trays as well as the home corner units so we sort of feel obliged to have them there all the time but I agree that the tables do dominate the room. We have a lot of interest in the dough particularly as my Deputy would sit at the table and children just seem to swarm to it. We keep it over the lino floor purely for cleaning up purposes - easier to do than if it was on the jigsaw type floor as it would just stick to it and be impossible to lift!

 

We have tried moving the kitchen area as you say but not all the units fit along beside the radiator so we moved it along the back wall - means too we can see what is going on rather than being a hidden area as such.

 

We do replicate exactly what we have inside in our outdoor area so have water and sand trays similar to what is shown here - the water tray is round and is kept towards the bottom of our outdoor play area whilst the sand is kept either in the actual outdoor shed as it blows in the wind or if it is calm we put it outdoors.

 

Attached you will see the large shed and playframe which we have outdoors. We have a long strip of safety matting coming down from the shed and then in the second photo you see our climbing and sliding frame which is near the middle of the area. It is quite long and narrow strip and we manage to get a lot packed into - 2 picnic tables act as our small world, then there are hoops, bean bags, loads of balls of all descriptions including a golf and bowling set, paint easels to take out and set up etc. Then we have access to the car park below the gated outdoor area which is purely for ride-ons. At present we have 12 ride-ons and it is an activity on its own. We would take the children to this area for half an hour weather permitting - the children are responsible to bring the ride-ons down from the shed and put them back up again. Then once the half hour is up we move to the upper area. I think they are getting quite good access to everything outside but it is just indoors for the first hour when we see things a bit cramped but only really in this block area particularly.

 

Any suggestions are very much welcome. Our Early Years Specialist gave us similar suggestions in terms on the dressing up rack being moved but we found it extremely cramped when doing circle time on the floor first thing in the morning.

 

 

[Guest]

Not sure if this helps but we do one or the other - if sand is outside then we don't have it inside, the same with water and the easel. This gives us more flexibility. We don't have ride ons out very often as it seems to restrict the freeflow of the outdoor area as children tend to just tear up and down on them so we only get them out as a change to our continuous provision every 6/8 weeks.

[Guest]

We are the same as max321 in that if we have sand outside we use something else inside to offer the same kinds of play opportunities but on a smaller scale. The same with other activities. This came about simply because we didn't have enough space for everything and it went against what we were being advised to do by the LA. But once we changed it and could explain it to them they got on board more.

[garrison]

I agree - definitely remove the tables! - children prefer to be laid/sat on the floor rather than the 'school like' notion of being sat at a desk.

I would also just spend an hour or so when no kids are there just trying things out - it took us over a year of trial and error before we were sorted (then the kids change and have different needs so it all changes again!!!)

Edited June 26, 2012 by Rachael1820

[Guest]

yes, i would move the tables. we are going to have to downsize next year as we are changing from 39 place mornings to 26 place all day, so losing a room and staff member. i now have the same problem, so this has really helped me come to some decisions about our provision. i plan to have dough or paint every day, but noth both. and collage or junk daily, not both. get rid of tables. if yoiu have a canopy outside pop them under here. we do and they have survived snow etc. and as children are able to move freely outside anyway, they seem keen to sit at tables for part of their time. if we choose what is in the sand inside, we have self-selecting outside. and water play we do the same. i wonder why they are not choosing arty type activities so much? maybe restricting them to 2/3 times a week will actually encourage them to go there more. and small children need space to move round without feeling restricted. our block play is outside and they can build bigger and better and safer!! and way less noisy!! your room looks absolutely lovely - lucky children

[blondie]

hi could you make your role play and book areas smaller - we have a canopy type thing (like they use on the end of cots from ikea) with cushions,soft toys etc underneath it with a box of books - these are then rotated - the area is busier now as the children seem to like the cosy feel it gives them. also can some tables go out first thing in the morning with resources on them?

we too only have sand in or out as with water and painting - we told our advisor that we felt it was overload and children tended to access say painting inside and ignore it outdoors as other things available.

we have very few tables and use mats , black trays either on the floor or on frames.

[Guest terrydoo73]

I never even thought about having one or the other - it was always ingrained into me that you had to have all the provision available all the time! Thinking about this and the children that will come to us in September - 8 are returning for their preschool year having been with us for their 3 years old year, 3 of whom will only come 2 or 3 days a week so the same 5 will come back every day. I think the thing that we could try is the junk art/collage out some days and the block area out other? This would mean moving out a bookcase full of the materials needed for junk art but if it was put into containers that can be set out and put away again that might make things easier and if we were able to supply large and small blocks with no tables in this area it might provide them with more space I was also thinking about the small world storage - do you think it would be acceptable to say have see through containers set on the floor - one say with people in it and then have the cars etc and a large garage out beside it or do we have to have it displayed on a shelf for access??

[Guest]

We rotate most our resources just to keep ringing the changes as some of our children are with us for 2 1/2 years so get very familiar ( and potentially bored) with the resources. Most of our small world is in labelled boxes, most are in low accessible storage units but we do have some in boxes on the floor. Resources which are out of view are displayed using photos in an album kept where the children can use it to see what else might be available for them to ask for.

[Guest terrydoo73]

So just to progress this idea - if I go with keeping the 3 shelf deep bookcase in for both junk art and roate it every week then how many blocks should I have out? At present I have the following:

 

large soft foam blocks

duplo blocks both small and large

stickle bricks

construction bench with tools

magnetic blocks

lego zoo blocks

 

 

Would I put out say the large foam bricks on the bottom shelf with say a few more on the top 2 shelves?

[Guest terrydoo73]

well i put this idea to my deputy and she wouldnt agree to it at all stating that u had to provide all the areas all the time.

 

tried to.show her benefits in terms of space but she didnt like the idea of losing the tables and the fact.they wd have to be lifted out and in each day was something she was not on.for.

 

she constantly cites the playgroup she did her nvq in and the fact that they did things properly without any changes

 

finally did agree to give it a go but reluctantly!

[Guest]

well done for persuading her to have a try! It would be interesting to find out what her ideas on 'properly' actually are and how long ago she did her nvq, times and good practice have moved on however with longterm staff of my own I know how difficult it can be to make changes to established routines and ways of doing things. Best of luck with your changes

[Sox]

Go u I hope ur plans work well! Will be interested to hear how the children react when ur all back in sept!

[narnia]

errr, just a quick question...........................is your deputy there for the good of the children, or her own???

Ok, you asked how to change things, so here goes:

 

You can get rid of half your tables, from the photos........put them in storage until you need them.The children need space if they are to properly investigate what you have on offer.

Blocks?? well, do you really need lego and duplo ones out at the same time?? Personally, I cannot honestly recall the last time we had duplo bricks out, we always use the wooden ones, all sizes and shapes, mini ones and huge ones, all of which enthuse and delight the children constantly, we get some great conversations going with blocks and it's wonderful listening to them making stories about who the blocks are and what they are up to.

I think you are very lucky to have such a big space, but if it were mine?? I'd empty it out and only put back the beautiful and the useful things. Give the children more space and less colour ( it looks a bit 'busy' to me). I'd also move displays, number charts etc down to a lower level and make sure the books are facing forward so children can see what is on offer. Do they have a cosy 'nook' where they can hide away??

I would move the kitchen round so it is against the wall, I would also move the very lovely sofa, so its back faces out into the room and the children are looking into the book corner...........this would give them a bit of privacy and some quiet to enjoy the books,

I would move the sand or the water outside, they don't need both indoors.....................remember, dry sand has very similar properties to water; it pours in the same way and slips and slides through fingers in a glorious way.

Move the trolley of dough cutters, or get rid of it...........store the box underneath the table until needed

 

I guess the thing is this: it has to suit you and your staff, of course, BUT much more importantly, it has to work with and for the children. I find, for me, the biggest temptation is to have LOADS of stuff............because loads means more opportunities to play and learn, right?? But in fact, the opposite is often true, less really IS more. So, gently does it, but me?? I'd put a lot of stuff into storage, bring it out occasionally so you can ring the changes and offer fresh experiences. You could do that with your deputy too........she could do with being put into storage.

Edited June 27, 2012 by narnia

[Guest terrydoo73]

My Deputy did her NVQ fairly recently - within the last 5 years - she has been working with me since January 2011 and I think her NVQ 3 was done and completed the previous June. She did her NVQ experience through the same Playgroup but as she is constantly telling me she felt like a dogs body as she was frequently sent to the store to tidy things up rather than working with the children too much. As she was an "older" trainee she was counted as a staff member as such for the ratio purposes so when someone was off sick she was counted in although not paid. "Proper" in her words is doing it exactly by the book - in other words - you must have 12 zoned areas in your room to accommodate all children's interests. She was very much indoctrinated with the idea of "themes" on a monthly basis so you base everything around that theme - for instance if we are doing pets and animals then it has to mean the duplo lego zoo box must come out, the animal puppets and the vet dress up and accessories also come out etc etc. Tables must be kept in her world as she feels the children understand how to appreciate space and work around what is available. In her words there is always an interest in sand and water so both must be available - just in case there are too many in one you can direct them to the other! Tables are a necessity as it teaches the children social interaction with one another and you cannot possibly give the children too much room and space as they might suddenly decide to have races.

 

I can appreciate all these things and have heard them so many numerous times to name!

 

We do have wooden blocks just the small ones but the greatest hit for us were the ordinary pieces of flat wood as the children love to pretend they are sawing or drilling into them and the brick foam ones are great for learning to put one on top of the other and recognise colours.

 

If we emptied the room out and stored stuff away I am sorry but we have no-where to put it except the hallway which would block everyone coming in or out so unfortunately that is not an option. At present my office is also a storage for small world equipment and creative arts as well as providing me with a pc to do all the admin and photo printing etc.

 

Our display boards are screwed into the wall and I cannot possibly ask them to move them. We have found the children will look upwards at the boards and recognise their names/symbols so that is working for us at the moment. We have little pegs and a line across the radiator where children can pin up their own work.

 

Hiding is definately not a possibility for us - we have had too many biting and pinching incidents to let that continue. The sofa could be moved but it would be too cramped for our circle time first thing in the morning. Our book display is fixed to the wall, at the childs level and easily accessible facing out the way. Our kitchen doesn't all fit against the wall because of the radiator cover - one item would have to be placed the other way which when the children pull on it would fall against them.

 

I don't think the idea of the dough trolley hidden under the table would work. We teach our children to choose what items they want and to put away after use - part of their social and emotional development - so having something that is accessible and easy to see is important.

 

Thanks for your suggestions - I am not trying to justify what we do but it has worked with us for the past 18 months with the exception of the block area. I would love to see children talking about what they are building, extending play etc with blocks but that is the reason why I want to change our present situation - we never see these opportunities happening!

[narnia]

well, that's me told!

 

so, I'm not sure then what it is you actually need help with, if nothing is movable, and it all works the way you have it??

 

Your deputy needs to realise that tables do not 'teach children social interaction'..............................interacting comes about in all sorts of places, including on the floor, so you could get rid of some and still acheive that aim? ( get a shed for the garden, stick the excess stuff in there)

If displays were lower, children could actually interact with them, instead of looking upwards?? Try moving YOUR information up towards the ceiling, then try to read it...........surely your neck would ache and you'd get fed up with trying to read it??

I understand about social and emotional development too, I didn't say get of the dough stuff, i suggested getting rid of the trolley itself and just have a boxful under the table until you need it.......when the children decide they need it, and get it out/put it away. The trolley itself is just another thing in the way of the lovely block play you want to have?

and of course...........part of the children's social and emotional development includes empathy with others and learning NOT to bite and pinch..........maybe, if they had more space to paly, this would resolve itself too??

Anyway, good luck with it all! :huh:

[Sox]

 

 

Hiding is definately not a possibility for us - we have had too many biting and pinching incidents to let that continue.

 

 

i have been thinking about a hide away for a long time for my children! i managed to make one during the week with see through fabric, everybody loves it!!! just a suggestion

[Sox]

well, that's me told!

 

so, I'm not sure then what it is you actually need help with, if nothing is movable, and it all works the way you have it??

 

Your deputy needs to realise that tables do not 'teach children social interaction'..............................interacting comes about in all sorts of places, including on the floor, so you could get rid of some and still acheive that aim? ( get a shed for the garden, stick the excess stuff in there)

If displays were lower, children could actually interact with them, instead of looking upwards?? Try moving YOUR information up towards the ceiling, then try to read it...........surely your neck would ache and you'd get fed up with trying to read it??

I understand about social and emotional development too, I didn't say get of the dough stuff, i suggested getting rid of the trolley itself and just have a boxful under the table until you need it.......when the children decide they need it, and get it out/put it away. The trolley itself is just another thing in the way of the lovely block play you want to have?

and of course...........part of the children's social and emotional development includes empathy with others and learning NOT to bite and pinch..........maybe, if they had more space to paly, this would resolve itself too??

Anyway, good luck with it all! :huh:

 

i LOVE GETTING DOWN ON THE FLOOR WITH THE CHILDREN, THEY ARE SO AT EASE AND WE ARE ALL ON AN EQUAL LEVEL!! I WOULD GLADLY GET RID OF THE TABLES BUT AM NOT ALLOWED NOT SURE HOW NVQ'S ARE TAUGHT IN ENGLAND BUT MY STAFF WHO ARE COMPLETING LEVEL 3 ARE LEFT WITH MAJOR GAPS IN THEIR UNDERSTANDING IN THE MAJORITY OF THEIR MODULES ! :rolleyes: I HOPE MIMIMUM STANDARDS IN NI ARE AGREED SOON SO WE CAN ALL WORK ON AN EQUAL PLAYING FIELD!! ::1a

[vonnie]

Hi I am with Narnia on this, less is more, I had the wounderfull opertunity to do some training with the earlyexcellence team from Huddersfield it changed my practices my teams practices and the children well they are progressing in leeps and bounds, It was hard work and an upwards struggle to change some staff minds but i knew it was the best for the children, stick to your guns if you know that is what will work for the children you have to go with it and if the team are unsure move a lttle at a time, they will see the inpact it has and then they will join you donot give up think of the children

[trekker]

Tables are a necessity as it teaches the children social interaction...

Ha just had a big chuckle at that one.

 

Surely children side by side comfortably chatting while lolling on the floor or when walking side by side with pushchairs enables more natural social interaction than sitting next to or opposite each other at tables? :blink:

 

Couldnt you suggest selling some of the tables so they go to good homes - parents may welcome them for home - or maybe local childminders?

 

you cannot possibly give the children too much room and space as they might suddenly decide to have races.

- we used to think this too...our children used to race down a central aisle created by the placement of furniture and that was when we had lots of tables - but since weve changed and have most play on the floor its doesnt happen so much - we've also created small, intimate zones with the furniture - not 'hiding' spaces but just small spaces where just a few children can play without others walking through....as that used to be a big problem too.

 

We also removed lots of our resources in our small world/construction area and put just a small selection of figures, animals, vehicles and some small wood blocks and open ended materials like small pebbles, pine cones and wooden bobbins - all available as continuous provision as a 'starter'.

If more children are in the area we observe and see if they need more of any particular resource temporarily and provide these. We add a small selection of other construction toys to add variety when needed. Im definitely in the 'less is more' camp.

 

Your deputy reminds me of some staff I used to have who caused me no end of grief trying to persuade me that 'topics' and writing names over dots were the way to go because "at my last setting thats what we did.." blah blah blah.

I ended up with a whole committee who wanted to accept what they said (2 yrs post qualifying) than me - considerably (10 yrs) more and trying to persuade me to change!! - oooh I do really sympathise!! :rolleyes:

Edited June 27, 2012 by trekker

[Rea]

 

- we used to think this too...our children used to race down a central aisle created by the placement of furniture and that was when we had lots of tables - but since weve changed and have most play on the floor its doesnt happen so much - we've also created small, intimate zones with the furniture - not 'hiding' spaces but just small spaces where just a few children can play without others walking through....as that used to be a big problem too.

 

 

 

I remember our church hall being used as a race track many years ago and it was for the same reason. As soon as we got rid of most of the tables and used more mats the racing around stopped.

 

I have to agree with Narnia too Terrydoo, the room, while lovely is a bit busy and while none of us want to provide areas for biting and pinching opportunities, the children who are going to do that are going to do it anyway, more defined areas might well help with the child who wanders, he might also be helped by having less equipment available, he could be just too overwhelmed by everything and so not be able to choose.

I dont think getting rid of sand or water diminishes the provision either, if you have a definite aim for the water tray and the sand on any particular session then use them both, but like Narnia says, dry sand is very like water, damp sand can be moulded like dough, making dough can take the place of cooking and a cooking activity can save you making snack. The provision is there just in a different way.

You're doing a great job of helping your deputy to grow and change, she'll thank you one day :1b