How can child care centers improve classrooms on a budget? (Lunch & Learn Recap)

In ChildFriendly Pro's August 2025 Lunch & Learn, child care operator Krystal Churcher and WinterGreen Learning Materials' Tammy Adams explained that centers can improve environments on almost any budget by rotating materials (weekly for unused items, with at least a monthly walk-through), adding a non-punitive calming corner, posting eye-level visual schedules, and keeping rooms uncluttered because less is more.

What the session covered

The session treated the classroom environment as the third teacher: a factor that shapes children's behavior, learning and relationships. Churcher said that when centers see recurring behavioral issues, the cause is often the environment and the setup of the space, and that environments influence how smoothly both the program's day and each child's day run. She drew on regular visits to Alberta child care centers ranging from small programs on tight budgets to larger ones with more resources, and described the three areas she most often sees needing improvement: dramatic play, outdoor play and art. Adams, a former child care owner-operator, added design principles from rooms her company has furnished, including natural, calming furniture colors, flexible layouts for group and individual activities, and involving educators in design decisions. Both speakers emphasized that improvements do not require large purchases. Churcher noted the speakers do not represent the government, and that regulatory comments in the series are for information only.

What is a calming corner and how should it be used in child care?

Churcher described a calming corner as a cozy, inviting, quiet space where children practice calming strategies. It can be simple or elaborate and fits within small spaces. Common contents include a mat or carpet with pillows, a shelf with feelings visuals, breathing strategy cards, a feelings thermometer, books, a bin of fidgets, weighted lap pads, stress balls, glitter jars and sand timers. A participant described using a pop-up tent with a pillow, a stuffed animal and fidgets, which blocks out visual stimulation; Churcher endorsed it as portable and low cost, provided educators can still see or hear the child to maintain active supervision. The space must stay open so children can choose to go there when they need it, which builds independence and helps them connect body signals to a healthy response. Churcher stressed that it should be a safe place where all feelings are welcome, never a punitive time-out. Used well, she said it reduces interruptions and behavioral outbursts and supports staff.

Why do visual schedules and routines reduce challenging behavior?

Churcher said consistent routines create predictability and security: children, like adults, feel safer when they know what comes next. Predictable routines reduce anxiety, build cooperation, smooth transitions and cut down on meltdowns, wandering and repeated questions about what happens next. A child facing a difficult moment can cope better when they know, for example, that snack is coming next. Visual schedules also support children whose first language is not English, because pictures show what is coming even when the spoken words are unfamiliar. Churcher said there is no single right format. She prefers real photographs of children doing each activity, which centers can take, print and laminate, though ready-made templates are also available. Schedules should be placed at children's eye level, reviewed together with the group, and can be made dynamic with velcro or clothes pins that move as the day progresses. Reviewing the schedule also gives educators a natural moment to explain changes, such as a special activity planned for that day.

How should dramatic play, art and outdoor areas be set up?

Churcher described a common problem: dramatic play bins overstuffed with costumes, broken toys and missing pieces, left the same every day, which leads to conflict and children losing interest within five minutes. Her fix is rotation and themes that reflect current interests, such as a flower shop with paper flowers and a cash register, or a baby nursery, using existing furniture plus scarves, thrift-store clothing, props and loose parts. Art areas should be open centers with materials in child-accessible bins and artwork displayed at children's eye level, rather than crayons and paper alone or teacher-led crafts. Outdoors, a small climber and few loose parts lead to boredom and conflict; tough trays with water, bubbles, sponges, blocks or chalk can move outside easily. Adams added that less is more, since too many choices can cause sensory overload, and recommended bringing nature indoors, choosing age- and size-appropriate furniture, and buying durable resources that are Greenguard certified and meet Canadian safety standards.

Classroom environment improvements from the session

How ChildFriendly Pro automates this

The session focused on physical room setup and did not include a ChildFriendly Pro demo. ChildFriendly Pro's Classroom & Learning Tools support the planning side of the same work, such as lesson plans and portfolios that record which interests and materials are engaging children, rather than tracking rotations on paper.

Next steps

• Director Lunch & Learns for child care operators
• Free Operator Resource Guide for elevating child care environments
• Lesson plans, portfolios and classroom learning tools
• Book a ChildFriendly Pro demo

Official sources

• Flight: Alberta's Early Learning and Care Framework