Equipment by Age Group

Multi-Functional Furniture

Invest in furniture that serves multiple purposes, such as:

Child-size tables that can transition from meals to play surfaces and accommodate different group sizes.
Child-size, stackable chairs for easy storage and adaptability that allow children to rest their feet on the floor when sitting.
Low, open shelves that both display materials and create pathways or separate spaces.
Small poufs or ottomans that serve as alternate seating in quiet, cozy areas.
Step stools near sinks that allow children to wash their hands independently.

Infant Equipment (0-24 months)

Avoid/limit Restrictive Furnishings: Infants need to be held, rocked, and comforted to foster healthy social and emotional development. Avoid restrictive furnishings such as car seats, rockers, jumpers, and walkers. Restrictive furnishings do not help children develop the balance, weight bearing, and correct muscle usage necessary for proper standing and walking skills.

Feeding Chairs, Baby Swings, and Playpens: Licensing allows these restrictive furnishings, but for best practice avoid/limit their use. Young infants should be held for feeding. Once they can feed themselves and can sit up independently, they should be seated at a table and chair that is low to the ground. Instead of playpens, use rugs, floor mats, or thin blankets. Glider rocking chairs and hammocks are a great alternative to baby swings.

Rugs and mats are great for playtime. To support proper motor development, it’s essential for infants to explore their environment freely and get plenty of tummy time.
Low table and chairs. Chairs should be sturdy and a seat/backseat that can be easily sanitized. When seated, children’s hands should rest comfortably on the table, and their feet should be able to touch the ground.
Glider rockers/hammocks create a soothing, shared movement experience.
Risers provide a low surface for infants to pull to stand and cruise.
Push toys are best for helping children practice walking. Walkers are not permitted in child care centers.
Indoor climbing equipment is a great addition to any infant or toddler classroom. It allows for daily gross motor play, especially when the weather doesn’t permit outdoor activities.
Circular ball pits, with the balls removed, make the perfect play space for infants who can sit independently. It’s a great cozy space for alone time or playtime in pairs.
Sleeping areas should have cribs for younger infants and mats or cots for older infants who may be able to climb out of a crib. Cribs should not have bumpers, pillows, blankets, or anything hanging above them. Each infant should have their own bedding that’s changed daily or immediately when soiled. Infants should be placed on their back to sleep.
Diapering areas should have a changing table, potty chairs or child-size toilet, and storage/shelves for diapers, wipes, gloves, etc. Everything should be out of the infant’s reach but accessible to the teacher. Follow proper sanitation and adult-child handwashing after diapering/toileting. If needed, provide a stepstool for older infants to wash their hands independently.
Food prep area/sink should be separate from the diapering/handwashing sink. If feeding chairs or high chairs are being used, make sure they have broad-based legs and moisture-resistant, washable surfaces. Infants should be seated with trays latched on both sides.

Preschool Equipment (24–60 months)

Support Active Learning and Independence:
Preschool-aged children learn best through movement, hands-on exploration, social interaction, and opportunities to make choices. Classroom equipment and furnishings should support children’s growing independence, physical development, problem-solving skills, and ability to engage in sustained play. Environments that are flexible, accessible, and intentionally arranged promote positive behavior, peer interaction, and school readiness.

Avoid/Limit Restrictive or Passive Equipment:
Preschool children should not spend extended periods in equipment that limits movement or choice. Avoid or limit the use of overly confining seating, long wait times at tables, or passive activities that reduce opportunities for active engagement, exploration, and social interaction. Children benefit from environments that encourage movement, collaboration, and autonomy throughout the day.

Recommended Preschool Equipment & Best Practices:

Child-Sized Tables and Chairs:
Tables and chairs should be sturdy, easy to sanitize, and appropriately sized. When seated, children’s feet should rest flat on the floor and their arms should comfortably reach the tabletop. Arrange tables to support small-group work, peer conversation, and collaborative play rather than prolonged whole-group sitting.
Flexible Learning Centers:
Clearly defined centers (e.g., blocks, dramatic play, art, science, literacy) with open-ended materials support choice, sustained engagement, and differentiated learning. Materials should be accessible to children so they can select, use, and return items independently.
Rugs and Open Floor Space:
Large rugs or mats support group meetings, storytelling, music and movement, and cooperative games. Open floor space allows for building, dramatic play, and problem-solving activities that promote gross motor development and social interaction.
Indoor Gross Motor Equipment:
Climbing structures, balance beams, tunnels, and soft play equipment support strength, coordination, and risk-taking in safe, supervised ways—especially when outdoor play is limited due to weather.
Manipulatives and Construction Materials:
Blocks, puzzles, loose parts, and building materials encourage fine motor skills, spatial reasoning, persistence, and creativity. Provide materials at varying levels of challenge to meet diverse developmental needs.
Dramatic Play Furnishings:
Child-sized kitchens, dress-up storage, and props reflecting children’s cultures and real-life experiences support language development, social skills, and imaginative play.
Quiet and Cozy Spaces:
Soft seating, pillows, and book areas offer children a place to self-regulate, relax, or engage in quiet activities. These spaces support emotional regulation and should be available throughout the day.
Rest and Sleep Areas:
Provide individual cots or mats for rest time. Each child should have their own labeled bedding, which is cleaned regularly and stored to prevent cross-contamination. Ensure adequate spacing and supervision during rest periods.
Toileting and Handwashing Areas:
Child-sized toilets or potty chairs, sinks, and step stools support independence and self-care skills. Supplies (soap, paper towels) should be accessible to children while remaining sanitary. Follow proper handwashing and sanitation procedures after toileting.
Food and Meal Areas:
Meals and snacks should be eaten at tables with appropriate seating. Encourage family-style dining when possible to promote independence, language development, and social interaction. Food prep sinks must remain separate from toileting and handwashing areas.

This preschool equipment guidance supports developmentally appropriate practice, positive behavior, and meaningful interactions—creating environments where children can explore, collaborate, and build the skills they need for success in school and beyond.

Engaging Outdoor Environments: Your outdoor space is an extension of the classroom. In addition to motor activities, sand, and water play, feel free to set up outdoor meals and areas for art, reading, dramatic play, science, and math. Outdoor spaces must be at least 75 sq ft. per child.

Infants and Toddlers :

Spaces in both the sunshine and shade
Places for eating or relaxing outdoors
Safe spaces for crawling, such as on grass or an outdoor blanket
Push and pull toys
Cars and other riding toys without pedals
Tricycles
Hammock for adult-child rocking/bucket swings at a safe distance from other play
Safe, supervised water and sand activities with buckets and shovels
Natural materials such as leaves and flowers
Drums and other musical instruments
Building materials, such as large blocks and cardboard boxes
Age-appropriate climbing equipment, slides, and rocking toys
Different size balls for rolling and throwing
Tunnels to crawl through
Playhouses and other structures

Preschool:

Climbing structures, slides, swings, and seesaw
Playhouse and other structures
Water table, sand table, or covered sandbox
Natural materials (trees, stumps, boulders, water, rocks, flowers, and plants)
Wheeled toys (tricycles, cars, scooters, and wagons)
Play equipment (jump ropes, balls, bean bags, and Hula-hoops)
Music and movement (drums, rainstick, and other instruments)
Playground parachute and soft, plastic balls for active games
Loose parts that encourage children to build, sort, and create such as crates, logs, branches, and pinecones
Balance beams and stepping stones for practicing balancing, turning, and starting/stopping
Opportunities to run, jump, skip, spin, and complete obstacle courses

Regularly assess and update your center to ensure it meets the evolving needs of the children. Stay informed about new educational research and learning materials that can further enrich both indoor and outdoor spaces and offer varied learning opportunities.