A fundamental element of a quality learning environment for preschool children is safety. Adults in the learning environment are responsible for ensuring that indoor and outdoor areas are free of potentially dangerous hazards like tools not stored away from child access, paint that has chips, hard surfaces under play equipment, electrical outlets without covers, accessible medicines and first-aid supplies, matches and open stairways. A positive learning environment also means that staff are knowledgeable and have expertise in emergency medical intervention and prevention.
Learning environments that promote positive health practices and appropriate nutrition are environments that prevent illness and optimize learning for young children. Promoting good health practices includes supporting families in accessing appropriate medical and dental services and modeling appropriate health habits. An appropriate learning environment is clean and has good lighting, ventilation, heating and cooling.
A quality learning environment provides spaces for learning that are accessible to young children. The environment is divided into learning centers where children are free to practice, play and become competent socially and individually. The learning spaces are attractive and inviting. In good learning environments, children are provided spaces for storing their personal belongings as well as storing information, work samples and other learning artifacts for sharing with parents.
A positive learning environment is established when staff know how to relate to individual children and to groups of children in a supportive and encouraging manner. Preschool staff must interact with children respectfully and in ways that encourage language development, problem solving and learning in general. Staff in an early childhood environment understand the importance of relationships in learning as well as in social and emotional development for young children.
Children learn best through play that allows choices in activities, trial and error, repetition and imitation. Implementing routines in the preschool environments is critical for a young child's growth and development. Building choices into the routine sets the stage for a healthy learning environment and happy, learning children.