1. Make an overall room plan:
- Draw the room (to scale) on graph paper.
- Add windows, doors, sinks, floor surfacing.
2. Mark in the flow:
- Draw the most direct routes between the entry and all other doors, water sources and storage closets.
3. Circle the Protected Corners:
- Reserve prime space for quiet or traffic-free activities.
- Protected corners should be as distant as possible from doors and flow-paths.
4. Divide into Wet and Dry Regions:
- Wet Region: Identify using the "3F" rule: flow, flooring and fixed plumbing.
- Dry Region: Should contain at least one protected corner and can be carpeted.
5. Divide into Zones:
In Wet Region: Entry Zone, Messy Zone
In Dry Region: Active Zone (should include a protected corner), Quiet Zone (must include a protected corner).
6. Plan Activity Areas in the appropriate zone:
Here are some suggestions:
| Entry | Messy | Active | Quiet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children’s personal storage | Feeding | Gross Motor: ramp, shallow steps, foam shapes, balls, mirrors, tunnel, pull-to-stand bars |
Nap Area |
| Staff storage | Diapering | Nursing Corner | |
| Parent sign-in & communication | Water Play (older infants) | Cozy Space: for quiet play (separate from Nap Area) soft toys, cozy surfaces, infant/caregiver "cuddle corners" |
|
| Transition space - (adult "farewell chair" or Glider) | Finger Painting (older infants) |
7. Create a space for each area:
This space includes storage for items used in that area.
The layout should communicate activities and boundaries.
Sample Activity Areas
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