Environment Evaluation
The child care facility environment will influence child–child, child–adult, and child–material interactions. Every aspect of the facility’s design deserves attention.
The building, playgrounds, and learning materials and equipment that teachers and caregivers use in their work with children must, above all, be safe and in good
repair. When selecting furnishings, materials, and equipment, care should be taken to make the environment convenient, beautiful, and full of interesting and sometimes
unexpected details. The learning environment has a significant impact on the quality of children’s experiences in the program and requires purposeful planning and
evaluation. Additionally, learning extends from the classroom into the outdoors. For that reason, creating and evaluating outdoor environments require an equal amount
of consideration. Playground equipment and arrangement must, above all, be safe. When carefully planned and constructed, playgrounds have the opportunity to enhance
children’s learning across many developmental domains in unique ways.
For this assignment, please read Chapter 6 of the text and, using the program you have committed to for this course, pick one infant, toddler, or preschooler classroom
and
Review the environment, with attention to the following: (Reviewing pictures of the facility is an option if you are unable to physically do so)
The use of color
The use of natural and artificial light
The perception of clutter
Wall coverings used
Floor covering(s) used
Types of learning centers available
Materials available in learning centers
Write a one-to two-page narrative that addresses
Three recommendations for improvement.
Three strengths of the classroom design based on the categories identified above.
Why and how you think these recommendations and strengths should be improved.
