Preschool and Early Childhood Classroom Furniture

Preschool and early childhood classrooms should be full of fun and learning. Creating a stimulating learning environment in a preschool classroom is essential for active minds. The furniture in an early childhood classroom provides a fun and safe place for young learners. We’ve written the essential buying guide for furnishing a preschool classroom – Including everything from tables and chairs to active play and toys.

What Does a Preschool Classroom Need? 

Think of an early childhood classroom or play area. It probably has play furniture, toys, and maybe some cubbies. Designing and filling a classroom is important in creating the right atmosphere for learning. A preschool classroom needs many types of furniture and storage to function its best. The most important areas of a functioning early learning classroom include reading/writing, active play, dramatic play, and work.

Post Navigation:

• Reading and Writing Area
• Work and Creation
• Play and Dramatic Play
• Circle/Community Area
• Storage
• More on Schools

Bean Bags

Accessories

Teacher Gliders

Reading/Writing Area Layout Tips 

Here are some tips on laying out a cozy and functional early learning reading/writing area. 

• Store books in a fun display for storytime. Allow children to pick out their stories for the group to hear, or they can look through books on their own! 
• Display artwork, letter work, or drawings on the walls in this area to make it feel more personal
• Have soft spaces to sit and listen to a story or look at books
• Include a small table for drawing and writing practice
• Have a teacher’s chair in the nook for reading stories to the class

Art Centers

Work Area Layout Tips 

Keep students productive and working together with these work area layout tips. 

• Set up chairs in a conversation-style arrangement to promote collaboration and active listening – this could be in groups of 4-5 students ensuring they all have an area to work 

• Utilize stacking chairs for easy transformation of the space into a play area 
• Add creation spaces like art centers for things like painting, coloring, and crafting 
• Ensure there are places for teachers to sit and interact with students 

Play Area Layout Tips 

The age group of your early learners will dictate the types of toys and play furniture that you need in your classroom. Preschool children would benefit from imaginative play furniture like play kitchens, puppet theaters, and dress-up closets. Early childhood classrooms would benefit from sensory tables and interactive toys like trikes. Use these tips for organizing the play area in your classroom. 

• Create a corner for playtime activities. Be sure to keep toys separate from learning and work areas to prevent distraction. 

• Have different sections of play so children of different ages can enjoy something age appropriate. For example, keep toys and blocks in their own section for young children. Play furniture like theaters and dress-up closets should be grouped together for older children. 
• Include storage in the play area to keep toys and costumes organized. Have tubs and shelves available to encourage children to help in clean-up.

Community Area Layout Tips 

• Lay out rugs in a circle or semi-circle to promote conversation and active listening 
• Use bookcases to section off the community area from other areas in the classroom. This gives the area a distinct feel from the rest of the room and can help with attention 
• Include a teacher chair – Teachers need a place to sit, too!
• Have games and books in the area for children to choose from – They’ll appreciate the opportunity to make decisions

Classroom Storage Tips

• Give each child a tub to use in their cubby to keep personal items organized 
• Utilize mobile storage for activities like art and hands-on learning 
• Be sure to keep the risky items like cleaning supplies out of reach for children. Tall storage cabinets are ideal for high-up storage!