Peer Response 1

You will respond taking on the role of the center’s director. Respond to the following questions (and please remember to be professional with your constructive criticism):

· Do you believe this arrangement is aligned with NAEYC Standard #9 requirements? Why or why not?

· What did you like about the outdoor space?

· What else should be included in the outdoor space? Why?

· Is there anything you would like to change about the outdoor space?

Responses to peers may not be in the form of “I agree… good post”.  One or two sentence replies are not adequate.  Responses must go further in depth and must be supported with specific, personal experience, relevant textual connections, and/or alternate perspectives and questions.   100 word-replies would be an appropriate recommended guideline.  

PEERS POST:

Describe the space that you created and justify your design using NAEYC Standard #9.

The space I created is made to accommodate both infants and Pre - Kindergarten children. My outdoor playground has designated spots for teachers to stand in so they can see all spots of the gated playground. I'm aware that it’s our job to interact with children while we are doing outside play. This can still happen if the teachers are interacting with the children that are coming to the area where they are. These spots are so that all children are accounted for when it’s time to leave to enter back into the building and closely supervised during their time outside.  My infant area is a gated area, so the infants are always safe. In this area we have an art area, bubbles and dance, rockers (the little horse rocking toys), and a kitchen play set area.

My infant play area is matted ground so the mobile infants can have something to crawl or fall on soft if there was an accident.  This area also has teacher required spot so that it’s a teacher than can watch for the children and never not see a child.  I made designated spots because in NAEYC Standard #9 it states, " The facility is designed so that staff can supervise all children by sight and sounds."(The 10 NAEYC Program Standards, 2022) 

My entire playground is fenced in for the safety of the children. I have a lock on all gates that only the teachers can reach so no one can get away or playing with the lock and accidentally open the gate.  As stated in NAEYC Standard #9 "Outdoor play areas have fences or natural barriers that prevent access to streets and other hazards." (The 10 NAEYC Program Standards, 2022) On the Pre- Kindergarten side we have a bunch of different areas to keep all the children active and playing.  These activities include all motor skills, from art, ride on toys, music area, Kitchen area, and swings.  If my paper was bigger, I would have added water fountains and a picnic table area that's under a Pavlovian just to rest and look around sometimes kids just need a little alone time away from their friends and this is where they would do this. The water fountain would be for the children that's running and just needs a drink so, no teacher is never left alone it would be one outdoors that we would have to clean after each outdoor play. 

I would also have the teachers carry out their first aide book bags which can get stored away the students while they are outplaying. It may be a child that has a medical condition, and the teachers need to be able to always access this. Always be prepared in case of an emergency.  NAEYC Standard #9 states "First-aid kits, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and other safety equipment are installed and available. (The 10 NAEYC Program Standards, 2022) 

I have added all these areas to keep the children engaged and busy  because as stated in NAEYC Standard #9 A variety of materials and equipment appropriate for children’s ages, skills and abilities is available and kept clean, safe, and in good repair."(The 10 NAEYC Program Standards, 2022) This helps the children that may need help with small motor skills have the ability to still use them no matter if we are inside or not.  

All of toys, swings, slides, are tables, music tools will all be ages appropriate and at the right height for children so no child will struggle, and they will soon be able to grab onto the different skills they are learning to make the best out of daycare. 

-Markeisha