The following suggestions should be considered when setting up infant and toddler classrooms. They should be utilized as a guide, not requirement, for best practices. The specific application of these suggestions will vary based on your program, facility, state licensing requirements, budget, and other variables.

1. Square Footage:
   • Birth - 24 months: 400 square feet usable. Approximately 600 square feet total. (8 cribs spaced 3 feet apart require approximately 180 square feet of space which is not considered usable).
     
     
   • 18 - 36 months: 500 - 600 square feet usable. Older toddlers require more space due to expanded play interests, specifically dramatic play (housekeeping/dress-up area) and construction (block play).
     
     
   • Mixed-age and Parent-child groups: 600 useable square feed recommended. Mix-age groups require both safe spaces for infants and more challenging spaces for toddlers. In addition to the 8 children and 2 caregiving staff, parent-child groups have at least 8 more adults in the classroom.
   
   
2. Indoor/Outdoor Relationship:

   A well designed classroom provides direct access to the play yard. This fundamental component should be seriously considered when choosing a site or remodeling a facility.

3. Cribs:

   Porta-crib size (24" x 38" - 27" x 40") cribs are recommended over full-size cribs. Cribs should be consolidated in one area of the classroom (3' feet apart), instead of spread around the classroom. This strategy will provide more functional play space. Use low wall (30 - 34" height) partitions to toy shelves, risers and closed storage (base cabinets) to section off the area. *When space is limited, parent-child groups (3 hours or less duration) should consider reducing the number of cribs in the classroom.

4. Diapering/Toilet Area:

   The diapering area and children's bathroom should be located in the classroom, separated through half-walls (48" h) or cutout window openings. This reduces the caregivers need to leave the classroom numerous times daily, while providing for full visual supervision of children in the classroom.

5. Pods:

   A pod design is where one large room is divided into two classrooms through a combination of half and full walls. The middle area is a shared area, usually teacher support space for diapering, food preparation, washer/dryer, teacher work space, and storage. A pod design is less costly than two separate classrooms, which require extra plumbing and square footage. It also allows for informal visiting of children and staff between rooms and easier transitions for infants moving up into a toddler classroom.

6. Sinks:

   Each classroom should have access to a sink adjacent to the food prep area, a sink adjacent to the diapering area, and a child height sink in the classroom for older infants and toddlers.

7. Windows:

   Natural light enhances the quality of the classroom. Children need to feel connected with the natural environment. While some windows (or doors) may be close to ground level, it is recommended that most windows in the classroom be at least 26" high. This height allows infants who are able to pull to standing, and older children to see outside, but it also provides the ability to create an activity area against the wall. Most infant/toddler play equipment (toy shelves, housekeeping equipment, etc.) is approximately 24" high. 26" windows also provide the option of a platform area for reading, or blocks, and provides enough wall space for back support of children and adults.

8. Window Sills, Protruding Walls, and Cabinets:

   To prevent serious bumps and cuts, all counters, shelves, sills, corners, lips, ledges, and edges of built-ins and equipment that are at child height should have a minimum of a 1/4" radius (rounded corner).

9. Doors:

   When possible, doors should swing away form the children's play area (i.e. swing into hallway rather than classroom). This will increase the amount of functional space and prevent accidents from doors opening into a baby. It is also useful to have windows indoors, at adult and child height (full-lite). This will increase the amount of light into the classroom, warn adults going into the classroom of children on the other side, and provide an added space for children to observe coming and goings.

10. Flooring:

    Infants and toddlers spend much of their time on the floor. For safety as well as comfort, carpet the majority of the classroom, except the entrance, diapering/bathroom, eating and messy areas (water play, painting). Use low-pile neutral-colored (earth tones) anti-microbial carpeting (prevents fungus and molds from growing). Use rubber transition strips (metal creates tripping hazard).

11. Creating a Landscape:

    Through the use of platforms, lofts, recessed areas, low walls, and canopies placed along the periphery of the classroom, it is possible to sculpt your room to create a variety of age-appropriate activity areas. The walls frame the activity areas, while the center of the classroom remains fairly open. This allows for circulation of children and adults, as well as to provide flexible space that can change based on the teacher's observations of the children's interests.

    Low wall/platform guidelines:

    Reading platform: 5' x 5' - 6'x 6'
    Block platform: 6' x 10' - 7' x 11' (60-80 square feet)
    Low wall: 26" high when not connected to a platform; 30" high when connected to a platform.

12. Storage:

    A well-designed classroom depends on an adequate amount of easily accessible storage located in the classroom. In addition to some storage rooms and base cabinet storage, wall storage should be placed adjacent to each activity area. This provides caregivers access to materials without leaving the children and classroom under-supervised. In addition, storage located on the walls does not infringe on children's play space, a critical element since most classrooms are smaller than ideal.

13. Color:

    Bright primary colors can be over-stimulating in a group care environment. Walls painted an ivory-eggshell color and furniture constructed of natural wood creates a cozy, neutral colored background which allows children to visually discriminate toys and pictures on the wall. Splashes of color and texture can be incorporated flexibly into the classroom through the use of wall quilts and fabric canopies.

    Suggested paint: Benjamin Moore "Pristine" non-VOC paint, Linen White 70 Eggshell finish (or similar non-VOC).

    
    
14. Table and Chair Specifications:
    
    

    Age Range	Chair Height	Table Height	Table Size
    6 - 18 months	5 1/2" - 6"	12"	24" x 36" (seats 4)
    9 - 24 months	6" - 6 1/2"	14"	24" x 36"
    18 - 36 months	8"	16"	24" x 36"; or 30" x 60" (seats 6)

    
    
    
15. Toy Shelves:

    Suggested size: 24" h x 48" l x 12" d
    Consider using all-wood shelving with wood or white laminate backing. (More attractive wood shows off materials on shelf more clearly). To prevent tipping, secure all shelves and cubbies to floor, wall, and/or platform.

    For additional information on Spaces for Children, please contact:
    Louis Torelli, M.S.Ed., Infant/Toddler Specialist - (415) 456-3748
    Charles Durrett, Architect - (510) 549-9980

    Back to Top