Creating Environments For School-Age Care

The space around us effects the way we feel and what we feel like doing. The same statement is true for school-age children. The environment should be comfortable and home-like. The space for a school-age program is extremely important and children need to help create their space. Children feel most at home when they have helped design their own spaces. Children need different environments to accommodate their different moods and activities.

The following lists will assist school-age providers set up an appropriate and inviting environment for school-agers.

Space for the following activities:

Creative Arts

Board Games & Puzzles

Blocks & Construction

Dramatic Play

Physical Games & Sports

Nutrition & Cooking

Quiet

Music, Movement & Dance

Woodworking

Collection

Science & Nature

Math & Computer

Sand & Water

Soft Space that is comfortable and relaxing

Pillows

Bean bag chairs

Rugs and carpets

Couches

Private Space

Personal Space for belongings

To be with a few friends

To be alone

Work Space

Tables and chairs are appropriate size for school-age children

Variety of work surfaces that are easy to clean and allow for messy activities

Adequate size for the number of children involved in the activities

The space is well organized for a range of activities to go on at the same time

Without interruptions

Active play away from quiet area

Pathways do not disturb ongoing activities

Furniture for school-age programs includes:

Sign-in/out table

Dividers to make private space

Bookshelves

Snack table

Refrigerator or cooler for perishable snack items

Telephone

Cubbies for belongings

Portable shelving units

Storage area for teacher material and confidential information

Bulletin board for parents

Bulletin boards for children's creations

Creating a Floor Plan

Once a program has decided what areas they want in their school-age program, then the fun begins - creating a floor plan that works. When creating the layout of a school-age program there are many things to consider.

Traffic flow

Storage use at site

Activity levels

Noise levels

Lighting convenience and level

Resources:

The NSACA Standards for Quality School-Age Care, Roman, Janette. Boston, MA., The National School-Age Care Alliance, 1998.
nsaca.org

Caring for Children in School-Age Programs A Competency-Based Training Program, Volume 1, Koralek, Derry, Newman, Robert, & Colker, Laura. Washington, D.C., Teaching Strategies, Inc.,1995.

WCCIP • 2109 S. Stoughton Road, Madison WI 53716 • Ph 800.366.3556 • Fx 608.224.6178
These tip sheets developed by WCCIP, March 1998 with funding from the WI Dept. of WFD, Office of Child Care, and DHFS