Preparing the Environment

1. Preparing the Environment Chapter 9 Working with Young Children

2. Outdoor Play Environments • Developmentally appropriate programs value outdoor areas as much as indoor areas • The outdoor required area per child differs from state to state – range is 75 – 200 square feet per child • Rectangular shape is most functional

3. Planning the playground • Needs to be studied in terms of use and then broken into areas • Empty space and a wheeled vehicle path • Aid in movement of the playground • Without path, children would bump into each other

4. Should be wide enough and clear enough to see all areas of playground at child’s eye level • Empty space should be located in the center of the playground, with activity spaces around the outside • Need empty space for some pieces of equipment

5. Consider these guidelines: • Equipment should be placed so that one child using equipment does not touch another child using another piece of equipment • All equipment should be visible by the teacher • Children should not have to walk through one area to get to another area

6. 1/3 – ½ of playground should be for play equipment, while the remainder should be open space for ease of movement • Also consider: • Fences, playground surface, landscaping, storage, wheeled toy paths, stationary equipment, water source, and animal shelters

7. Fencing • Most states require fencing for safety of the children • Should fasten securely at the gate • No sharp metal pieces or splintered wood • Most commonly used fencing materials: • Wood • Chain link

8. Chain Link • Advantages: • Open design so children can see what is going on outside their playground • Gives playground an open feel • Disadvantages: • Some children are able to climb chain link fences • Unattractive to some people

9. Wooden fences • Advantages: • Complement the center • Pleasing to the eye • Must be designed with children’s safety in mind • Disadvantages: • Children should not be able to climb over or through the fence • Boards should be sanded to prevent children from getting splinters

10. Surfaces • A portion should be grass • For running and organized games • Bark nuggets, shredded bark, or sand • For under equipment • 9 – 12 inches of loose material • Tend to pile in one area • Shift under weight • Must be shoveled and moved back into position

11. Landscaping • Can be part of science program • Trees • Good source of shade, beauty, and sound control • Shrubs • Flowers • Many colors, sizes, and growing cycles

12. Before planting, consult a landscape architect • Some plants are poisonous • Knows growing cycles • Always have seasonal plants to observe and study

13. Storage Shed • Need storage for: tricycles, scooters, shovels, rakes, balls, plastic wading pools, and gardening tools • Should be so children can return the equipment on their own • Lines on floor • Barrels and baskets • Hooks on walls

14. Wheeled Toy Paths • Path for one-way traffic so children don’t run into one another • Path protects grass and other play areas • Should be joined to the storage shed • Should be designed with easy curves so children don’t tip trying to make a sharp turn

15. Stationary Equipment • Jungle gyms, slides, and tree houses • Set permanently for stability • Place in different corners of the playground • For eye appeal • For safety

16. Sandbox • Place in a shady area to avoid sunburns • If shady area not available, build a roof • Place a cover over the sandbox when not in use • Keeps cats from using it as a litter box • Place near a water source • Water mixed with sand makes more detailed shapes

17. Water • Check state licensing for appropriate equipment • Pools should be emptied every day • Garden hose can be used to water plants, refill wading pool or sprinkle children on hot day

18. Animal Shelter • Types of animals allowed determined by city zoning laws or state child care licensing rules • Some states excluding animals from child care facilities

19. To shelter animals, use cages that are large enough for the animal, have mesh flooring for tidying cage between thorough cleanings, and have adequate padlock • Place where animal will be protected from weather