How to Choose Furniture for Day Care Centers
Selecting furniture for a day care facility is not always as easy as A-B-C. Parents and providers want safety above all else, but they also want an environment that will encourage and support the child's emotional and spiritual well-being. A bright open space enriched with welcoming colors and imaginative play areas will go a long way in giving the child a sense of ease and comfort in this first away-from-home environment.
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Instructions
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Choose surfaces that make cleaning and sanitizing simple. Plastic and vinyl assure that wiping is a breeze. Where once it may have been the norm to give a thorough end-of-day wipe-down, today the responsibility to do away with germs and dirt is an all-day affair.
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Consider the scale of the furniture. Those little tables and chairs may not be comfortable for adults, but for children they require little effort to master. Whether it is a table and chair designed for project work or a soft comfy cushion for reading time, kid-friendly furniture is a must. If you serve children in a variety of ages, set up centers that will apply to the different age groups. This way, you will have furniture appropriate for each group.
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Encourage playtime disguised as learning time. Aside from the tables and chairs, storage units and rest furniture, there are a number of items that should not be overlooked when outfitting your space. Water tables or rice tables, easels and puppet theaters and activity centers such as kitchens are all important in the development of children. Large and small motor skills will benefit from including play center furniture in your inventory.
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Don't forget the tumbling mats. Your shopping trip should also include a variety of indoor gymnastic equipment --- slides, tumbling mats and thick foam floor coverings will create an area for physical activity that works on large motor skill development and body coordination.
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Tips & Warnings
Choose primary colors for indoor furniture. Children of preschool age respond first to red, blue, green and yellow.
Keep cleaning products and chemicals in a locked cabinet.
