Page |1
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INDEX
1.1.1 Colour 3
1.1.2 Acoustics 4
1.1.3 Textures 4
1.1.4 Ventilation 5
1.1.5 Temperature Control 5
1.1.6 Natural lighting 5
1.1.7 Doors & Gates 5
1.1.8 Wall Coverings 6
1.1.9 Curtains 6
1.1.10 Flooring 6
1.1.11 Display spaces 6
1.1.12 Storage 6
1.1.13 Furniture & Equipment 7
1.2 Layout of baby room 7
1.2.1 Storage 7
1.2.2 A place to sleep 8
1.2.3 A place to eat 8
1.2.4 A place to bath 8
1.2.5 Means of transportation 9
2.1 Physical layout of baby section 10
2.2 Needs of baby 11
2.2.1 Layout of baby section 12
2.2.2 Planning 12
2.3.1 Indoor play areas 12
2.3.2 Routine areas 13
2.3.3 Outdoor area 16
2.4 Needs of staff 17
2.4.1 Role of educarer 17
Review 18
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MODULE 1: EDUCARE DIDACTICS / INTRODUCTION
Educarers may care for babies in a home-based care centre or day care centre.
The following aspects should be considered:
❖ Different types of daily activities carried out
❖ Safety of furnishings and equipment
❖ Practicality and ease of working for staff
❖ Comfortable and pleasant surroundings
Definition of a baby: infant from birth to 18 months.
General requirements for baby room:
1.1.1 Colour
Colours used in a baby room have a psychological influence on staff and baby’s
behaviour and emotions. Bright primary colours such as red, blue & yellow attract
attention. Used sparingly to avoid over stimulation.
Colour Phycological Response Useful application
Red Stimulating, challenging, Outdoor play equipment
happy, irritating Large motor activity
Activities requiring
stimulation
Orange Welcoming, energetic, Entrance to facility
light-hearted Playroom for large motor
activities
Green Calm, refreshing, sedate, Reading corner
peaceful, quiet Resting area
Dining room & Isolation
room
Blue Calming, sensitive, safe, Reading corner, resting
comfortable, sad area, dining room,
isolation room &
administrative area
White Cool, pure, clean, honest, Reading corner, resting
youthful area, dining room,
isolation room &
administrative area
Yellow Cheerful, inspiring, lively Large motor activities
Art area, music area
Purple Smart, secretive, Reading corner
mourning
Paler shades of colour and lighter colour make a room appear larger, darker shades
make room seem smaller.
Red, orange, yellow are “warm” colours where blue & green is “cool”. A cool room
may be painted yellow to create feeling of warmth while a warm room a cool blue
or green.
, Page |4
Walls should be painted in a washable, non-poisonous and lead-free paint. Avoid
bright colours as they can over-stimulate babies.
Use plain coloured material than patterned or checked for tablecloths and curtains
to avoid becoming distracted.
Should be a neutral colour bulletin board in baby room.
1.1.2 Acoustics
Definition: Acoustics is the sound quality of a room.
Constant loud voices decrease baby’s concentration and influence on behaviour.
Irritable and moody. Correct use of floor coverings, ceilings and furnishings can
improve room sound.
Floor coverings:
Vinyl & Synthetic floor coverings have good acoustic qualities, easily washable and
most suitable for playrooms. Carpets absorbs sound and give warmth and comfort.
Reading / Sleeping areas.
Ceilings:
A lower ceiling height diminishes sound. Special acoustic tiles (expensive) or cork
tiles.
Windows:
Observation window inside for easy visibility into areas and cut down on sound.
Laminated safety glass on outside window decrease noise outside.
Furnishings:
Curtains absorb sound and adds colour. Must be washable, flame-resistant and
hung so that maximum sunlight can filter in.
Furniture:
Rubber or plastic coatings on table and hair helps soften noise.
1.1.3 Textures
Definition: What something feels like when touched.
Babies learn through all their senses. The more texture a child encounters, the
greater their perceptual learning.
, Page |2
INDEX
1.1.1 Colour 3
1.1.2 Acoustics 4
1.1.3 Textures 4
1.1.4 Ventilation 5
1.1.5 Temperature Control 5
1.1.6 Natural lighting 5
1.1.7 Doors & Gates 5
1.1.8 Wall Coverings 6
1.1.9 Curtains 6
1.1.10 Flooring 6
1.1.11 Display spaces 6
1.1.12 Storage 6
1.1.13 Furniture & Equipment 7
1.2 Layout of baby room 7
1.2.1 Storage 7
1.2.2 A place to sleep 8
1.2.3 A place to eat 8
1.2.4 A place to bath 8
1.2.5 Means of transportation 9
2.1 Physical layout of baby section 10
2.2 Needs of baby 11
2.2.1 Layout of baby section 12
2.2.2 Planning 12
2.3.1 Indoor play areas 12
2.3.2 Routine areas 13
2.3.3 Outdoor area 16
2.4 Needs of staff 17
2.4.1 Role of educarer 17
Review 18
, Page |3
MODULE 1: EDUCARE DIDACTICS / INTRODUCTION
Educarers may care for babies in a home-based care centre or day care centre.
The following aspects should be considered:
❖ Different types of daily activities carried out
❖ Safety of furnishings and equipment
❖ Practicality and ease of working for staff
❖ Comfortable and pleasant surroundings
Definition of a baby: infant from birth to 18 months.
General requirements for baby room:
1.1.1 Colour
Colours used in a baby room have a psychological influence on staff and baby’s
behaviour and emotions. Bright primary colours such as red, blue & yellow attract
attention. Used sparingly to avoid over stimulation.
Colour Phycological Response Useful application
Red Stimulating, challenging, Outdoor play equipment
happy, irritating Large motor activity
Activities requiring
stimulation
Orange Welcoming, energetic, Entrance to facility
light-hearted Playroom for large motor
activities
Green Calm, refreshing, sedate, Reading corner
peaceful, quiet Resting area
Dining room & Isolation
room
Blue Calming, sensitive, safe, Reading corner, resting
comfortable, sad area, dining room,
isolation room &
administrative area
White Cool, pure, clean, honest, Reading corner, resting
youthful area, dining room,
isolation room &
administrative area
Yellow Cheerful, inspiring, lively Large motor activities
Art area, music area
Purple Smart, secretive, Reading corner
mourning
Paler shades of colour and lighter colour make a room appear larger, darker shades
make room seem smaller.
Red, orange, yellow are “warm” colours where blue & green is “cool”. A cool room
may be painted yellow to create feeling of warmth while a warm room a cool blue
or green.
, Page |4
Walls should be painted in a washable, non-poisonous and lead-free paint. Avoid
bright colours as they can over-stimulate babies.
Use plain coloured material than patterned or checked for tablecloths and curtains
to avoid becoming distracted.
Should be a neutral colour bulletin board in baby room.
1.1.2 Acoustics
Definition: Acoustics is the sound quality of a room.
Constant loud voices decrease baby’s concentration and influence on behaviour.
Irritable and moody. Correct use of floor coverings, ceilings and furnishings can
improve room sound.
Floor coverings:
Vinyl & Synthetic floor coverings have good acoustic qualities, easily washable and
most suitable for playrooms. Carpets absorbs sound and give warmth and comfort.
Reading / Sleeping areas.
Ceilings:
A lower ceiling height diminishes sound. Special acoustic tiles (expensive) or cork
tiles.
Windows:
Observation window inside for easy visibility into areas and cut down on sound.
Laminated safety glass on outside window decrease noise outside.
Furnishings:
Curtains absorb sound and adds colour. Must be washable, flame-resistant and
hung so that maximum sunlight can filter in.
Furniture:
Rubber or plastic coatings on table and hair helps soften noise.
1.1.3 Textures
Definition: What something feels like when touched.
Babies learn through all their senses. The more texture a child encounters, the
greater their perceptual learning.
