Playroom Set Up

[AmyKidsCo]

I don't divide my space much because I want to give the children as much space for moving as I can (I've got 2 12mo olds - one crawling and one toddling - and 3 2yr olds - all are clumsy and fall over their own feet) and my space isn't big to begin with!

My photos are out of date - I moved the shelf in the middle under the windows, got rid of the plastic kitchen, and put a smaller shelf under the side window. All that's in the middle of the room is the table and chairs.

[midaycare]

Thank you all. You have given me some great ideas. I appreciate your help, but one more ??? how and where do you store your playdoh and accessories, paint, brushes, stamps, stickers, pipecleaners, glitter, sequins, pasta, beans, beads, buttons, ............ and so on

I have a cheap solution - buy an over the door shoe rack. Something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Whitmor-6082-1...or+shoe+holder

You can separate everything and keep it high enough so the dcks can't reach it. My paint has an entire row, scissors are in one pocket, glitter glue in one pocket, popsicle sticks in one pocket, googly eyes in one pocket, etc. For things like crayons, markers, and playdoh I use a small plastic box with a tight lid.

[AmyKidsCo]

I have those plastic drawers on a shelf under the ceiling - you can see the bottom of them in my second photo. The doorway to the dining room is on the far left off the photo - the shelf goes all the way across there too.

[MOM OF 4]

I am just now getting into the interest of having certain play centers in the playroom. I want it to feel more professional and not just like a home that I am having kids come to. I have a 4 level split home. so when you walk in the front door its my living room (playroom) then kitchen/dining. Then off the kitchen, down the stairs is my family room, or from the living room you can go upstairs to the bedrooms. So the dc playroom is the main living room right in the door it's about 120sq ft. the kitchen has 2 kids size tables w/chairs and a bunch of other clutter like a dc shelf unit w/paint, paper, fine motor etc. filing cabinets for paperwork, and the family room is just for nap.

Sorry so long but my question is how would you set up the playroom w/center areas. its not a huge room and it only has 2 1/2 walls to use w/2 corners. Currently I have a shelf unit with random toys, small wood blocks, animals, people, and a few imaginext houses.

TIA

I had a bookshelf and I faced the rear toward the wall, and made that area a dressup center. On the other side was the books/table and arts center. On the other side, was another bookshlelf and a couch and TV which was the 'quiet" area. On the wall by the couch, I had another bookshelf for freeplay/toys and also the CD player for music time. It was a small space but it worked out.

[Josiegirl]

I like the idea of centers but it seems that by the end of the week, it all is so disorganized and strewn about, the centers kinda disappear.

I have SA's here this summer who, when they get bored, they love to rearrange so I let them have at it.

I have a weird shaped room, it's about 30' by 8' and my computer area takes up a few feet in the end of that. I have 3 huge shelves plus a couple smaller shelves lining one side and windows line the rest of the room. But because I'm by myself here, I also use the kitchen and living room a lot too.

[Unregistered]

I am not crazy about making center areas. For dress-up and play-house, yes. For blocks, yes. But for science and art, lots of the items are not appropriate for all age groups, like I have in my daycare.
I always have those items available in baskets, to be used when I want to use it, or when kids ask. But not in centers that are always set up.
To me it seems like organizations are trying to make us into facilities like centers, instead of being a homier version of daycare.

[jenboo]

I am not crazy about making center areas. For dress-up and play-house, yes. For blocks, yes. But for science and art, lots of the items are not appropriate for all age groups, like I have in my daycare.
I always have those items available in baskets, to be used when I want to use it, or when kids ask. But not in centers that are always set up.
To me it seems like organizations are trying to make us into facilities like centers, instead of being a homier version of daycare.

I just made a few centers that are appropriate for the younger ages I have now. I change them up depending on the ages I have. That's the best part, there are no rules, I can do what I want.
My centers don't get mixed together. My oldest DCB is 2.5 and everyone knows where the toys go.

I think being set up like a facility vs home is dependent on the person. I don't feel pressure to be set up like facility. It's what I chose. I wanted to look very professional with a designated daycare space... I wanted to look like a facility but in my home.