5.2.4

Center/Classroom Environment Set up

Teaching staff must prepare their classrooms for the upcoming school year. There are multiple resources available including the checklists discussed below, to help staff prepare their classrooms.

Note: Staff should refrain from making major changes to the classroom environment (moving furniture, interest centers, etc.) without approval from the Education Manager.

Classroom Startup Checklist

Teaching staff should use the Classroom Startup Checklist to prepare their classroom for the beginning of the program year.

Set up/create these items:

• Classroom Environment using the ITERS EHS – CLASS Environment and Creative Curriculum for Preschool
• Lesson Plan Binder
• Child sign-in/sign-out binder
• Volunteer sign-in/sign-out
• Observation binder
• Portfolio crate
• Parent board (see part 2 of the Center Startup Checklist for more information)
• Medical alert sheets
• Allergy sheets
• Helping hands (preschool)
• Label child cubbies with names
• Label toothbrush holders and toothbrushes
• Make lunch placemats/lunch cards
• Restock the first aid kit

Complete the following tasks:

• Review all child files and complete the Education cover sheet
• Create daily schedule (use Creative Curriculum and CLASS Environments to meet timeframes for Preschool and ITERS to meet much of the day for EHS) (See Daily Schedules and Building the Foundation Checklist
• Complete Framing Your Day (See Daily Schedules)
• Write lesson plans (remember Pedestrian Safety)
• Schedule first home visits
• Prepare for Orientation and create packets
• Develop Behavior Crisis Intervention Plan (see section below)

Head Teacher/Site Supervisor:

• Licensing Board (see part 2 and 3 of the Center Startup Checklist for more information)
• Make class list and print roster from Child Plus
• Order supplies and materials
• Make orientation phone calls
• Complete Health training for individual children as needed

Building the Foundation Checklist

In conjunction with the Center/Classroom Start-up Checklists, teaching staff will complete the Building the Foundation Checklist prior to the first day of school.

The Building the Foundation Checklist helps classrooms start the year with a strong foundation in Creative Curriculum and the Teaching Pyramid and to help clearly define staff roles.

Once the checklist is completed, the Head Teacher/Teacher/Primary Caregiver, will obtain supervisor’s signature and scan the Building the Foundation Checklist along with the accompanying documents to the Education Scan Folder.

• Daily Schedule
• Framing Your Day
• First Week’s Lesson Plan
• Classroom Expectations and Rules
• Behavior Crisis Intervention Plan

The Building the Foundation Checklist contains step-by-step directions on how to complete each of the accompanying documents.

Behavioral Crisis Intervention Procedures

To develop a plan for staff to follow in the event of a behavior crisis.

The Behavioral Crisis Intervention procedures are to be used only during times when a child’s safety or the safety of others is threatened by a child’s behavior. Crisis intervention techniques are never to be used as a method to obtain a child’s compliance. If other methods of guiding the child’s behavior have been unsuccessful and the child’s behavior threatens the safety and well-being of others, then the crisis intervention procedures may be applied.

The Behavioral Crisis Intervention Classroom Plan is implemented when a child’s behavior is deemed harmful to themselves and/or others and all other behavior management techniques have been unsuccessful. Ideally there should be two staff members with the child in crisis and the appropriate number of staff to supervise the rest of the children.

• View a sample Behavioral Crisis Intervention Classroom Plan

Center Startup Checklist (Classroom Startup)

To ensure basic regulation requirements are in place for the center at the beginning of the year.

These items must be completed and the completed checklist must be turned into Area Manager prior to the first day with children.

Refer to the top portion of this checklist called, “Classroom Startup” for a list of classroom related items which must be completed before the start of school. Items include posting these documents:

• Emergency/Disaster Plan
• Evacuation route map
• Emergency phone numbers
• Daily Center Maintenance checklist
• Food Alert with Cook’s Diet Orders
• Handwashing signs next to sinks
• Diapering procedure (EHS)
• Bathroom Policy
• Keep me home if… info sheet
• Daily schedule (printed in language of families)
• Lesson plan (or displaying it in binder)

Resources

List of Creative Curriculum resources on setting up classroom (hard copy)

• Infant Toddler:
  • Volume 1, page 40 – Setting up the Physical Environment
  • Volume 2: Routines & Experiences – how to set up each area of the environment
• Preschool:
  • Volume 1, page 54 – Setting up the environment
  • Volume 2: Interest Centers – how to set up environment

Additional Information

Children with Challenging Behavior

If there is a child with challenging behavior enrolled in the class, they will have a Behavior Plan which should be reviewed and incorporated into the classroom environment as needed.

Refer to the SOP Challenging Behavior

Children with Special Needs

If there is a child with special needs enrolled in the class, they will have a IEP/IFSP which should be reviewed and incorporated into the classroom environment and lesson plans.

Dual Language Learner

If there is a dual language learner (DLL) in the classroom, ensure there are bilingual resources in the classroom (books, labels, etc.) and other items that specifically reflect that child’s and family’s culture.

Refer to the SOP Language Services 

References

• Tip for Teachers: Materials to Support Learning
• Head Start/Early Head Start Center Startup Checklist
• Classroom Startup Checklist
• Behavioral Crisis Intervention Classroom Plan – Procedures | Form | Sample
• Related SOPs:
  • Refer to Environment Rating Scales for Environment Set up documents:
    • ITERS Materials Guide