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The amount of space in your home that you can devote to
your child care program will determine the amount and size of the furnishings
and equipment that you'll need to purchase. Most providers use one or two rooms
in their home as program space, and the yard outside as a play area. The main
idea is to make the most of the space you have!
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Store most of your supplies on shelves -- up high,
to allow for more space on the floor for both children and activities. |
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Break your main room up into activity areas --
dramatic play, book corner, sand table area, etc. |
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Set aside a storage space where you can store large
equipment, to allow for rotation of equipment. |
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Have an area that you can use for indoor, loud,
active play. Many providers use their porch, den, or living room. |
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Have a designated area for nap time. It's best to
have children sleep in the same place each day. |
Furnishings that you'll want to purchase include:
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A table that seats four to six children |
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Chairs, at least one per child |
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Storage shelving units |
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An easel |
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Mats for nap time |
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A book display stand |
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Sand/water table |
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Potty chairs |
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A diaper changing table |
Activity areas in your main room allow the children to
focus on various developmental skills. You may choose to design your room around
a particular learning activity for a few days at a time. Here are the main
activity areas you'll need, with some examples of materials and equipment for
each:
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Large Motor: indoor
climbing structures, play tunnels, large wooden blocks, pillows |
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Art: paints, markers,
stamps and ink pads, scissors, assorted papers |
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Manipulatives: connecting
blocks, lacing cards, peg boards, shape boxes, beads |
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Sensory play: play
dough, shaving cream, bubbles, sand and water toys |
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Blocks: wooden blocks
in various unit sizes, animal and people blocks, cardboard blocks |
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Dramatic
play: dress-up clothes, housekeeping/kitchen units, puppets, dolls,
play foods |
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Reading: books,
audiotapes, felt boards, puzzles, alphabet blocks |
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Science: magnifying
lenses, magnets, binoculars, nature objects, charts |
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Outdoor play: wagons,
balls, sandbox, sand toys, tricycles, climbing structure, swing set
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