An important part of any evaluation of your child care program should be an assessment of the program space. This is true for both family/home-based child care and center-based programs. The goals you have and the activities that help you reach these goals, are a major part of your program. And should be frequently assessed. Just as important in child care are the people who care for and teach the children. Staff evaluations are a good way of giving feedback and encouragement to your staff. However, the space where all of this interaction between staff and children, children and activities takes place is a critical part of the whole picture.

Sometimes people think they are evaluating the space, or physical environment, when they evaluate the program but this is not always the case. In addition, problems or issues that are identified in a program evaluation may have roots in a space, or environmental, problem. For example, discipline may be a problem you identify. Children run through the playroom/classroom and do not spend much time in activity areas or on specific tasks. Or, children constantly fight over an activity area. You and your staff feel that a lot of time is spent on trying to control children and referee arguments between children. There are, of course, programmatic things you can do, but making changes in the physical environment may help to eliminate, or reduce, the discipline problems.

If children run through your space consider breaking up the space with well-defined activity centers. A straight clear path is an invitation to run. It is also important to make certain that the circulation path and activity areas are clearly separate and obvious. Children may not be able to concentrate on activities and tasks if constantly interrupted by someone trying to get from one part of the room to another.

If children argue over specific activity areas there are several things you can try. One, provide additional materials so that more children can participate. Two, make the activity area larger so that it can accommodate more children. Three, help children regulate their own behavior. One center in upstate New York uses large nametags with Velcro on the back and children place their name tags on a board adjacent to each activity area. When the board is full for that activity (i.e., 3 spaces for computers because there are only 3 computers) children know that they must choose another activity. Sometimes name tags are placed on additional slots to indicate that when a space becomes available they are next. This environmental intervention not only keeps down arguments, but it also helps children discipline themselves, it helps them to recognize their name and other children's names, and it helps them with their quantification skills. Each of these suggestions involve manipulating a part of the physical environment.

When you evaluate the staff who work with you and the children you most likely do periodic observations. It is important to do periodic observations of the space as well. Take time to see how the space and the materials are being used. Here are a few questions to ask about the physical environment of your child care program. Take 15 or 20 minutes every couple of months to see how your space is working and be willing to make changes if necessary. *Do children use some areas more than others? Which ones?
*Does the play in each area compliment or disturb activities in the adjacent areas?
*Can children distinguish circulation paths from the activity areas?
*Do children seek out spaces for quiet reflection, resting, or independent work? Where do they go? Are they interrupted?
*Does the space help children to be independent?
*How does the space work for children with disabilities?
*What is the biggest limitation or problem in the space?
*What can you do to make it work better?

Try having each staff member do these observations. If the same person always does the environmental observation some problems may not be identified. It will also help to involve all staff in the design of the space. Most importantly, remember that the physical environment is just as important as the social environment that you create in your child care program. Therefore, it is critical to include the physical environment in your program assessment.
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