Mrs. Sandy’s Family Child Care

 

I am continually looking for new ideas to add to our outdoor classroom. This year I updated an outdoor area to make it safe for infants in my care. It is a safe place for them to crawl and move freely and it is free of any choking hazards with newly installed realistic grass/turf.

I also updated my dramatic play area outdoors. It is now furnished with a new playhouse, kitchenette and picnic table. I have provided toys such as play food, dishes, baby dolls and assorted loose parts. I have added new books to our outdoor reading area (a variety of books were added to include all ages). My outdoor cabinets house lots of toys for fine motor play (blocks, vehicles, people, animals, loose parts, magnatiles, toy insects) and science investigation toys (bug catchers, magnifying glasses, bug scoopers). And my mobile cart allows for a variety of gross motor activities (hula-hoops, balls, jump ropes, stilts, etc.).

The ever-popular water and sand table with lots of added toys are available, as well as art opportunities for free expression. I added more adult seating outdoors for parents this year at drop-off and pick-up times to allow them to spend time with their children when their time allows. As for myself, I continue to take trainings that are specifically geared towards nature and outdoor play.