ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS: THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENT
Encourage children to help plan the layout of the environment and to contribute to keeping it tidy.
Most Childminders rotate their toys, this prevents the children from becoming bored
from playing with the same resources and ensures toys are cleaned and checked for
damage on a regular basis. Consider how your toys are stored. Putting them in clear
plastic crates enables the children to see the contents and choose which they want
to play with. Alternatively label the boxes with photographs of the contents as well
as the words. This will help with clearing away as the children will easily be able
to identify which box to put the toys in. Make tidying up part of the daily activities.
Even sitting babies can be involved in putting toys into boxes and baskets.
Awarding
‘I helped tidy up today’ certificates might be a good way to encourage reluctant
children to become involved.
If you have toys stored in the loft, garage or shed, why not make a scrapbook or use a display folder of the toys that you have. Take photographs each time they are played with and then put into book. Children can then select which toys they would like to play with later or the next day, depending on how difficult access is.
Create an indoor environment that is reassuring and comforting for all children, while providing interest through novelty from time to time.
Displaying children’s artwork and photographs helps children to feel part of the setting. If you don’t want children’s pictures up all over the house then you might consider a large display board that can be taken down and put behind the sofa at night/weekends.
Make a quiet or reading area, using throws, cushions and beanbags. Choose calming colours and avoid bold colours such as red as these will be over stimulating. Consider the lighting and ways in which you can soften it.
‘Provide a cosy place with a cushion and a soft light where a child can rest quietly if they need to’ Physical Development, Health and Bodily Awareness
Provide the children with resources to make their own space, such as blankets, sheets, hanging nets etc. Open areas under stairs or pop up tents make great ‘dens’. Even a dinning room table with a sheet draped over it makes a special place for children to play and rest in.
‘Create areas in which children can sit and chat with friends, such as a snug den’ PSED, Making Relationships.
Ensuring the indoor environment is ‘homely’ enough to feel comfortable while providing an environment suitable for learning.
‘Plan an environment that is rich in signs, symbols, notices, numbers, words, rhymes, books, pictures, music and songs that take into account children’s different interests, understandings, home backgrounds and cultures’ CLL
Settings can cover walls with displays and posters to stimulate the children’s interest in written text but most childminders will be reluctant to cover their home like this. Use printed text already in your home. Books, magazines, newspapers, cereal boxes and other food packaging, junk mail etc. Buttons on TV remote controls, dials on ovens, microwaves and washing machines can be highlighted and used to encourage a positive disposition towards numeracy.
Consider how you are going to support children’s physical development indoors. Can
furniture be moved to allow space for dancing, music and movement sessions etc. ‘Have
well-
Does your indoor environment support children to develop independence? Does your home ‘ensure children’s safety, while not unduly inhibiting their risk taking’?
Consider the physical needs of the children in your care, sleep, rest, eating and toileting. How you plan your environment to care for a sleeping/resting child and another who wants to play?
An appropriate environment is essential to both safety and effective learning and development. Welfare Requirements 3.17
The challenge for Childminders is how to adapt their home into a ‘setting’ for their minded children. Few Childminders have the luxury of a dedicated playroom, although some childminders have converted integral garages and conservatories into their work areas. On this page we aim to provide you with a few ideas that require limited funding and resources but will help to provide a fun and positive learning environment for the children in your care.
- The indoor environment provides a safe, secure yet challenging space for children.
- For some children, the indoor environment is like a second 'home', providing a place
for activity, rest, eating and sleeping.
- The indoor environment contains resources which are appropriate, well maintained
and accessible for all children.
- Indoor spaces are planned so that they can be used flexibly and an appropriate range of activities is provided.
The Indoor Environment
The Childminder’s indoor space is her home but also has to provide minded children
with a place to rest, sleep, eat and do a wide variety of activities.
This often requires careful planning and great flexibility.