ABSTRACT
The entrance to the kindergarten room is warm, welcoming and parentfriendly. You will find child-height coat pegs, and a bench under which there is a shelf for slippers and shoes and wellington boots (unless they are kept in a separate place near the outside door with the wet weather gear). There is usually a parents’ notice board, indications of what is happening in the kindergarten that week, a diary and some photographs. The festivals and events are often displayed outside the room as well. There is often a library and school shop, fresh flowers and seasonal displays, as well as a parents’ helping rota. (Parents are expected to participate in the life of the kindergarten, including the cleaning, washing up and occasionally taking the washing home.)
This should be a warm, welcoming and artistically decorated space which serves as the setting for what the day’s impulse brings. It is often described as a ‘home from home’ and should reflect the home as much as possible. Many kindergarten staff like to have the kitchen area as integral to the room, and this usually contains a small cooker, kettle, toaster, sink and washing and preparing facilities. The kitchen area is separated from the main room by the work surface and a small gate which prevents access by the children. They can on a special box step at the outside of the preparation work area and reach the sink. Furniture is small scale and child-friendly; tables and chairs for activities are nearby. These are all made of wood. There is a home play corner, a quiet area (with in some cases a few select picture books) and the play area with carpet (big enough for the ring time circle).
