By BEST Childcare Consulting
Indoor environments should feel welcoming, calm, and purposeful—supporting children’s sense of belonging while offering rich opportunities for exploration. A well-designed indoor play space balances flexibility with structure, ensuring areas are safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate.
Indoor classrooms should include defined zones such as reading nooks, dramatic play, construction areas, and small group tables to support varied learning. Spaces need good flow and accessibility, with clear pathways, child-height shelving, and a balance of quiet and active areas. Incorporating natural and sensory elements like plants, light, and textures creates calm, while cultural and inclusive representationthrough displays, signage, and resources fosters belonging. Finally, flexibility and choice—with movable furniture, open-ended resources, and evolving child-led displays—ensures the environment grows with children’s interests and needs.
How to best design safe sleeping and resting spaces?
Classrooms can be transformed into sleep areas by using flexible, multipurpose layouts with furniture that’s easy to move and store. Roll-out mats, stackable cots, or foldable beds allow quick transitions, while dimmable lighting, calming music, and soft furnishings create a restful atmosphere. Zoning with dividers or curtains can reduce stimulation, ensuring children feel secure and comfortable while maintaining supervision.
How can we best design meal spaces?
Meal spaces can be thoughtfully integrated into indoor play areas by designing them as calm, welcoming zones rather than separate, sterile dining rooms. Low tables and child-sized chairs encourage independence and social interaction, while displays of food cultures or children’s placemats can connect mealtimes to learning and belonging. Positioning meal areas near kitchens or art spaces allows for easy transitions and opportunities to embed cooking, nutrition, and cultural food experiences into the daily program.
What to take into account with inclusivity?
Inclusive classroom design ensures all children can access and participate by providing wide pathways, ramps, and child-height shelving. Spaces should feature multi-sensory resources to engage different learning styles, along with quiet nooks for children who need calm. Displays, books, and play materials that reflect diverse cultures, languages, and family structures foster belonging, while furniture and equipment are adapted to support children of all abilities.
How to respectfully include neurodiverse children’s needs?
When designing classrooms for neurodiverse children, it’s important to create predictable, low-stimulation environments that reduce overwhelm and support regulation. Provide quiet zones or sensory retreats with soft furnishings where children can withdraw when needed. Use visual schedules, picture labels, and clear signage to support communication and transitions. Incorporate sensory-friendly resources—such as textured materials, fidget tools, and adjustable lighting or noise-reducing features—to accommodate different sensory needs. Most importantly, keep the layout flexible, allowing children to choose how they engage while ensuring safety and supervision.
What are the safety considerations?
Safety in indoor classrooms begins with clear sightlines so educators can always supervise children, and clutter-free pathways to prevent trips and falls. Furniture should be child-sized, stable, and free of sharp edges, with shelving anchored securely. Electrical outlets, cords, and cleaning products must be inaccessible, while resources are stored safely at child height. Regular checks for choking hazards, hygienic practices, and compliance with fire and evacuation procedures ensure the space remains both safe and engaging.
BEST Tip: Indoors should mirror the values of your service—calm, inclusive, and child-centred—while complementing the outdoor play space. Think of it as the “indoor classroom” of the environment-as-third-teacher philosophy.
Essential Indoor Play Spaces for Early Childhood Classrooms
Reading & Literacy Corner
Cosy nook with cushions, rugs, and child-level bookshelves.
Quiet space for storytelling, independent reading, and fostering a love of books.
Example & tips: Reading Corner Ideas – Aussie Childcare Network www.aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au
Dramatic Play Area
Home corner, dress-ups, shop, or role-play props.
Encourages imagination, social interaction, and real-life scenario play.
Templates & props: Twinkl Home Corner Role Play Resources https://www.twinkl.com.au/resources
Construction & Block Play
Wooden blocks, magnetic tiles, recycled materials.
Builds problem-solving, collaboration, and STEM concepts.
Ideas & examples: Block Play in Early Childhood – Early Childhood Australia https://thespoke.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/benefits-of-block-play/
Creative Arts Space (Atelier)
Easels, painting, drawing, clay, collage materials.
Open-ended artistic expression, fine-motor development, and creativity.
Inspiration: Atelier Spaces – Reggio Emilia Australia Information Exchange https://reggioaustralia.org.au/
Exploration & Discovery Area
Science, nature, and sensory tables (magnifiers, shells, rocks, water beads).
Encourages curiosity, observation, and hands-on investigation.
Ideas: STEM Activities for Early Years – Little Scientists Australia https://littlescientists.org.au/
Small Group / Table Work Area
Tables for puzzles, games, collaborative projects, and guided activities.
Supports turn-taking, problem-solving, and sustained shared thinking.
Free templates: EYLF Curriculum Plan Templates – Aussie Childcare Network
Wellbeing & Quiet Space
Cushions, soft toys, calm lighting.
A retreat for children needing self-regulation, rest, or quiet play.
Guidance: Mindful Spaces for Children – Be You https://beyou.edu.au/resources/tools-and-guides/learning-environments
Cultural & Inclusive Displays
Wall spaces for children’s artwork, family photos, cultural artefacts, and multilingual labels.
Builds identity, belonging, and respect for diversity.
Examples: Inclusion Resources – Early Childhood Australia https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/our-work/inclusion/
Music & Movement Zone
Instruments, scarves, and props for dancing and rhythm.
Supports gross-motor skills, coordination, and self-expression.
Ideas: Music and Movement in Early Learning – The Sector https://thesector.com.au/2022/05/02/music-and-movement-in-early-childhood-education/
Flexible Open Space
Clear floor space for yoga, group time, dramatic play setups, or movement activities.
Adaptable for different projects and emerging interests.
Floor plan examples: Child Australia – Create the Perfect Play Space PDF
Indoor Play Space Quick Summary Table
| Category | Quick Summary |
| Reading & Literacy Corner | Cosy nook with books and cushions that fosters a love of stories and supports early literacy. |
| Dramatic Play Area | Role-play space (kitchen, shop, dress-ups) that encourages imagination and social learning. |
| Construction & Block Play | Blocks and loose parts for problem-solving, STEM concepts, and cooperative play. |
| Creative Arts Space | Open art area with easels and materials for self-expression and fine-motor development. |
| Exploration & Discovery | Science and sensory tables that spark curiosity and hands-on investigation. |
| Small Group / Table Work | Tables for puzzles, games, and projects that promote collaboration and turn-taking. |
| Wellbeing & Quiet Space | Calm corner with soft furnishings for rest, reflection, and self-regulation. |
| Cultural & Inclusive Displays | Family photos, cultural artefacts, and multilingual signs to build belonging and respect. |
| Music & Movement Zone | Instruments and props for rhythm, dance, and gross-motor coordination. |
| Flexible Open Space | Clear area adaptable for group time, yoga, or dramatic play setups. |
Resources & Links for Play Space Design
Toys and equipment
Toy store for interesting and unique long lasting toys designed for childcare services. https://theplayroom.com.au
General Play Space Design
Practical guide for aligning environments with NQS. Create the Perfect Play Space (Child Australia PDF) –
Tips for outdoor and indoor play space planning. Play Australia: Design Advice for Early Childhood Services (PDF)
Indoor Play Space Categories
Reading Corner Ideas – Aussie Childcare Network https://aussiechildcarenetwork.com.au/articles/childcare-articles/creating-a-reading-area
Dramatic Play Role-Play Resources – Twinkl https://www.twinkl.com.au/resources/australian-resources-eylf-roleplay
Block Play Benefits – Early Childhood Australia https://thespoke.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/benefits-of-block-play/
Reggio Emilia Atelier Inspiration – REAIE https://reggioaustralia.org.au/
STEM & Discovery – Little Scientists Australia https://littlescientists.org.au/
Mindful Learning Spaces – Be You https://beyou.edu.au/resources/tools-and-guides/learning-environments
Inclusion Resources – Early Childhood Australia https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/our-work/inclusion/
Music and Movement in Early Learning – The Sector https://thesector.com.au/2022/05/02/music-and-movement-in-early-childhood-education/
Templates & Planning Tools
EYLF Environment & Planning Templates – Twinkl https://www.twinkl.com.au/resources/australian-resources-eylf-planning-and-assessment
Aussie Childcare network EYLF Documentation Templates – Aussie Childcare Network
ECA Learning Hub ECA Learning Hub – Indoor Environments Course
Inspiring Play Spaces Online Training. Inspiring Play Spaces Online Training – Making Education
BEST Childcare Consulting
At BEST, we know that thoughtfully designed indoor classrooms are more than just rooms—they are environments that nurture belonging, inspire learning, and reflect each child’s unique identity. From cosy reading corners to inclusive dramatic play and discovery zones, every element can support your service to meet the EYLF and exceed the National Quality Standard.
Whether you’re refreshing one corner or re-imagining your entire indoor environment, BEST can guide you with practical, budget-conscious strategies that balance safety, creativity, and inclusion.
Contact us TODAY.
