Family Child Care Homes: Creative Spaces for Children to Learn

by Linda J. Armstrong

Overview

Create a warm and inviting place where children feel at home.

Discover the many ways your home can provide comfortable places where children love to learn and love to be. Filled with no- and low-cost ideas, this book demonstrates many unique and practical possibilities for your home's indoor and outdoor spaces. Chapters are packed with full-color photographs and provide examples and tips for designing learning zones, selecting items, organizing materials, and more. Checklists, resources, and questions are included to help you evaluate your setting, implement changes, and create a place that feels like a second home to the children in your care.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781605540757
Publisher:	Redleaf Press
Publication date:	08/16/2011
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	1,085,010
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Linda J. Armstrong: Linda J. Armstrong is a consultant for children and youth programs throughout the United States. As an active member of non-profit organizations, she has served in a variety of leadership positions for more than thirty years. Linda is a published author of educational research and has been an adjunct professor for universities in the U.S. and New Zealand. She holds three degrees in education and has received numerous awards and recognition for her work.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Making Room For Children and For Your Family
Creating an Environment that Meets the Needs of Your Family
Understanding Health and Safety Guidelines for Your Family Child Care Environment
Setting Goals for Your Children and Your Program
Selecting Family Child Care Spaces
If You Are New to Family Child Care

Chapter 2: The “Wow” Factor
Colors and Patterns
Natural Materials
The Right Light (Selecting appropriate lighting sources and locations)
Walls and Halls (displays of children’s work, regulations, labeling)
If You Are New to Family Child Care

Chapter 3: Putting the “Oh” in Organization
Decluttering
Stow, Store, or Throw
Rotating Materials
If You Are New to Family Child Care

Chapter 4: Putting the “Home” Back in Home Child Care
Room Arrangements
Interest Areas Vs. Interest Centers
Design Elements for Child Care Spaces
Selecting Floors, Furniture, and Fun Stuff
Universal Design (ADA codes and guidance)
If You Are New to Family Child Care

Chapter 5: Backyard Environments
Outdoor Play Areas (CPSC and ASTM guidance, applicable ADA requirements)
If You Are New to Family Child Care

Appendix
Materials Inventory Sheets
Time and Use Inventories
Goals Worksheet
Places and Spaces Design Paper
Warning Signs the Environment Isn’t Working
ADA Guidelines for Child Care Programs
Guidelines for Purchasing Safe Toys and Outdoor Play Structures
Top Ten Ways to Develop Quality Environments
Homestyle Places & Spaces Design Worksheet

Editorial Reviews

Finally, a resource for family child care providers who want to keep the feeling of home in family child care. The author's commitment to family child care environments as warm and inviting spaces—where both children and adults are comfortable and where learning happens all the time—is obvious. The questions posed throughout the book are guaranteed to help providers think about their environment creatively; the photographs are gorgeous and will spark readers' creativity in their own programs. What a wonderful new resource for family child care providers.”
—Barbara Sawyer, Director of Special Projects, National Association for Family Child Care

From the Publisher