Creating Positive Learning Environments in Childcare Settings

Introduction: A positive environment is important as it enables children to be explorers and true leaders of their own learning. A positive environment helps to improve attention, reduce anxiety, and supports emotional and behavioural regulation of children. The physical environment, both indoors and outdoors will support children’s learning, safety, levels of engagement and assess to positive experiences and inclusive relationships. During the period of observation, I considered the physical layout of the indoor and outdoor environment of the centre (New Life Childcare Center) as well as toys, materials, furnishing and equipment. A comparison will be made using the criteria laid out in the Prescott Article (class discussion).

Sufficient empty space Definition: Sufficient empty space basically means that there is enough empty space to play in for the number of children expected to play in the centre. Why this is important in a childcare space? This is important because it encourage sensory development, hinder a child learning, encourage open-ended play and prescribed activities. Examples: Yes, this area did have: 1. There is a good space for 3-4 children to play in an area like a climbing area. 2. Good sitting area. 3. All the equipment is safe in the playground. 4. There is a good and proper fence around the playground. No, this area did not have:  There is no nap area, educators move the tables and chairs and put the mattresses over there. Recommended changes: according to the Prescott Article everything in this childcare for “Sufficient Empty Space”. There is no need to change. Evaluation: I observed that there is ample of space available for children to perform various activities. There are enough tools and toys for children to play and learn. It also has good capacity in the classroom for children for exploration. The art area is well maintained because the age-appropriate furniture and storage for art materials are placed near the art area, so the children can easily access the material. There are multiple educators who offer different activities to children. Learning materials encourage multiple areas of intelligence, such as reading, math, music, art, and more.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Recommended changes: If I considered according to the Prescott Article, everything is good in the childcare for ‘’Sufficient Empty Space”. There is no need to change anything. Clear Broad Visible Pathways Definition: clear broad visible pathways is another key area focused on in the article. There are pathways that lead from one area of the center to another, from one learning centre to another. The focus is on how easily children can easily see the pathway to get from one area to the next, and how easily they can move on that pathway. (Article pg. no. 5) Why this is important in childcare center: It allows children to move from one place to another safely and easily. Allowing them to engage in play units that they see quickly, well organised space and open pathways allow children to determine on the pathway. (Article pg.no. 5) It also allows them to make their own decisions and not have to be guided by the educators. Examples of did have: all the pathways are visible and clear and easily accessible to children. It makes the transition easy for children from one learning center to another. Clear pathways attract the children to jump over from one area to another for e.g., dramatic area is adjacent to music and movement area and having a clear pathway attract the children easily, and both the area enhance the children’s social, emotional, and language development skills. Examples do not have: the center does not have separate nap room for pre-schoolers. Recommended changes: I recommended no changes there will be clearly visible and wide pathways for children. Ease of supervision: it means the ease with which the whole centre can be supervised or viewed from any given vantage point in the center and there is no blank spot in the center. Active supervision is successful when caregivers know each child’s abilities. Establish clear and simple safety rules. Aware of potential safety hazards.

Why this is important in a childcare center: It is important in the center to have physical space because it will protect the health and safety of children and staff and support a high quality of learning. There should be no big storage unit or wall between the children and teacher’s eyes. So, there will be no accidents occurring with children. Examples of did have:  The center has good ease of supervision because the center is organised and designed well.  It is very safe place for children because there is no blind spot in the center.  All the stuff is maintained with good ease that is easy for children to reach also for teachers to supervise the children while they are doing any activity. Examples of did not have:  Educators are not able to focus on all the children if the supportive teacher for special need child/children are not coming. Outdoor Examples of they have:  Educators are aware of children where they are and how they are using equipment.  Educators scan and check the environment for hazards such as playing with equipment in unsafe position or children trying to enter out off bound areas.  Educators develop a system of regular read counts to mark arrivals and departures. Examples of do not have:  At the corner of the outside play area is not visible clearly for one educator. If the 2 educators are there, then there is no problem. Overall evaluation: During nap time, educators use dividers that are too high, and they are not able to see all the children from one corner of centre. To avoid these problems, center should not have many high dividers separating rooms, which are not rated highly for their ease of supervision as staff are unable to see. Recommended changes:

I think everything is good I recommended no changes. Efficient placement of storage units: Efficient placement of storage units means not occasional use material or teachers use only but also children use toys, puzzles, art material etc. Efficient means best place by its easy accessibility. Why this is important in a childcare center: Storage units are important to keep the children safe by ensuring that dangerous or hazardous material are inaccessible. A particular storage facility helps teachers and children to easily access stuff and material. Examples of area that did have:  They placed all the books and articles in the reading area.  Toys are proper placed under the cupboards.  They also have proper dramatic play area in which they have all material. Examples of area that did not have : There is no sufficient storage space for educator’s belongings. They put their stuff over the children’s cubbies. Outdoor Examples they have: They don’t have: they do not have any storage space for outside toys. Overall evaluation of placement of storage units: Storage units are used to store materials. Storage units are not only for teacher’s use but also for the materials children use (toys, puzzles, art materials) Efficient part of placing storage units means analysing where the best place to put a particular storage unit.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Recommended changes: I want to recommend there should be single storage for teacher’s stuff. Play units and play spaces: simple play units— with one obvious use and without subparts or juxtaposed materials: for example, a swing or tricycle. complex play units —with subparts-two different play materials juxtaposed to enable a child to manipulate or improvise: for example, a housekeeping area with supplies. Single play materials that encourage substantial improvisation or have elements of unpredictability are also considered to be complex play units-for instance, a table with books. super play units— a complex unit with one or more additional play materials – for example, a dough table with tools. Why it is important to childcare centres: This is important for children to spend their time with play units and it help them in learning various things Play spaces are very important to have sufficient space. Simple units- 1 child per unit Number Available #of play space Tricycle 3 3 Complex – 2 to 3 children per unit Number Available # of play spaces Babysitter play 2 1 Doll house 2 1 Super units – 3 or more children per unit Number available #of play spaces

Mega blocks 2 4 Sand table 2 8 Total # of play spaces: 17 #of children enrolled at the center Divide this by the total# of play spaces Number of play spaces per child 37 2.176 Floor plan indoor and outdoor of Newlife Childcare Center Recommended changes in floor plan

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Summary: The environment plays an important role in the success of an early childhood programs.  I conclude that according to the Prescott article this childcare fulfills the requirements of indoor setting and outdoor plan.  They also have first aid kit which is accessible to all the employees.  They also have fire alarms and fire extinguishers.  Enough small tables for drawing and painting.  Sufficient age-appropriate learning materials for children.  The outside area is made up of concrete and grass.  They have big parking lot for visitors and parents to drop off and pick up. References:  Module 2181 Prescott Article supplemental reading.  Handout session Accompaniment to the Prescott Article.  PRE-K Spaces Design for a Quality classroom.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

observation assignment

Related Documents