30 Best Pre-K Classroom Setup and Layout Ideas
Are you looking for some pre-k classroom setup ideas to create the perfect learning environment for your preschoolers? If so, then this post is for you. It’s packed with great ideas for other successful teachers on the best way to set up your class for young learners.
1 | Clean and Declutter
The first steps to classroom setup is to clean and declutter. First go through everything and create three piles one to keep, one to donate and one for trash.
2 | Decide on Student Desk Layout
Decide on the layout of the desk before you move on to other areas of your classroom that way you know that you have adequate space for desks and chairs.
Here’s a great preschool classroom layout idea that you can borrow for your class. Place a shelf unit at the end of each table group to hold student’s personal items, assignments, book bins, a mini trash can or table supplies.
3 | Setup Preschool Centers Based on the Reggio Emilia Approach
Next, it’s time to set up the interactive learning centers for your students. The Reggio Emilia Approach is a great philosophy to help you develop your learning centers. It’s based on hands on educational and encourages exploration through various mediums.
This approach thinks of the classroom environment as the third teacher. When you are setting up your learning spaces consider adding different activities spaced out around the room that allow children to be interactive. Below check out some creative ideas for your centers.
4 | Sensory Table
This is an amazing clean up the ocean sensory activity that teaches young learners about the importance of keeping our earth clean. In the sensory bin add sea creatures as well as trash, food, and materials that can be recycled.
Have students sort the items into trash, recycle and compost and keep the items in the bin that belong in the ocean. Discuss with students what things belong in the ocean and what doesn’t and why it’s important to keep our oceans clean.
5 | A Dramatic Play Area
Young children learn best through play! One idea for a dramatic play center is to create a mini city. Add stores and restaurants that you would find in real life.
For example you can add a drive through fast food restaurant and even play cars. This is a fun way to spark children’s natural curiosity for being an adult.
6 | Art Center
Set up an art center with finger paints, crayons, markers and paper so students can make mini masterpieces during free time.
7 | Block Area
An easy interactive play station for students is a block center. Create a space with various blocks for students to play with.
8 | Create a Themed Book, Toy, Game and Puzzle Area
A farm theme area works great in a preschool classroom as children of this age are often interested in farm animals and tractors. Dedicate a bookshelf in the classroom to books toys, games and puzzles to match your theme.
9 | Book Bins
Add various themed book bins alongside comfy throw pillows spread throughout your classroom as a place for student to explore new books in cozy spaces.
10 | Calm Down Corner
Designate a cozy spot in the classroom for a calming corner. This is a safe place that students can retreat to when they need to relax and regulate their emotions.
A teepee creates a cozy environment perfect for creating a calm-down area in your classroom. This would be the perfect space to curl up with a book or work on breathing techniques.
I have a ton more ideas on how to set up a calm down corner here- 45 Calm Corner Ideas for the Classroom: An Easy How to Guide
11 | Set Up Small Group and Guided Reading Area
Copy this idea and create a dedicated learning space for small group work including a spot where you can work with students. A half-moon table with stools is the perfect set up.
12| Designate Area for Circle Time with a Classroom Rug
Choose a large carpet and designate this space for your circle time where you can read books to students and have class discussions. An alphabet rug works great to help young students find individual spots for class story time.
There are so many fun rugs that you can find to match your style you can check out some of the best ones here…Best Classroom Rugs Educational & Stylish Choices
13 | Add Flexible Seating Options
As your planning your classroom setup consider if you want to add some flexible seating options. A popular choice are bounce ball chairs that you can find here.
Find more flexible seating options here- Flexible Classroom Seating (29 Creative Ideas)
14 | Classroom Library Setup
Bins work great to organize a preschool classroom library. Add bin labels with pictures and teach students how to return the book to the correct bins at the beginning of the school year.
Here are some more ideas on how to organize and setup your classroom library…25 Best Classroom Library Ideas for Organization & Style
15| Setup your Cubby and Mailbox System
Create a system that will make it easier for your students to find their cubby and their mailbox. Assigning numbers, color coding and including pictures are all great ideas!
Here are some more ideas to setup your classroom mailboxes…30 Easy DIY Classroom Mailbox Ideas for Students
16 | Get Organized
Next, you’ll want to add some organization tools to help you get and stay organized all year. Check out some ideas below.
17 | Student Data File Box
File folders make a great system for organizing student work. You can assign each student a number so that you can re-use your system every year. You can use a file box or milk crates for this system.
18 | Cheat Sheet for Your Paper Bins
Do yourself a favor when you’re packing up your papers at the end of the school year and add a cheat sheet at the front of your clear storage bins to list everything that’s contained in that bin!
For more ideas to get your classroom organized for the new school year check out this post…75 Best Classroom Organization Ideas
19 | Set up Your Teacher Cart
A rolling cart is a great place to store your papers, and assignments for the week ahead. You can label the drawers with days of the week and then add to grade, to file, to copy and to do!
A great option for finding rolling cart labels to match your theme is to find a printable decor bundle on Etsy. Most of them come with rolling cart labels for 10 and 12 drawer rolling carts and many of them are editable too!
These rolling cart labels are part of an adorable boho daisy theme classroom bundle by Stepahanie Nash design that you can find here!
Here are more ideas on how to organize your teacher cart including creating a rolling cart classroom store!- Genius Teacher Cart Ideas for Your Classroom
20 | Create a Teacher Toolbox
A teacher toolbox is a plastic toolbox that you fill with classroom supplies instead of screws and nails. Teachers label each compartment to make classroom organization a breeze. You can find this plastic toolbox with the same layout here.
Etsy has a large selection of printable labels for toolboxes so you can be sure to find one to match your classroom theme. Here’s where you can find these bright and cheerful editable labels!
For more ideas on setting up your teacher toolbox check out this post…Teacher Toolbox Create the Perfect One for Your Classroom
21 | Get Your Desk Drawers Organized
If your desk has drawers this is the perfect space to store the supplies that are just for you. It’s easy for drawers to get messy and cluttered.
A simple idea to avoid this is to invest in drawer organizers like these that you insert into the drawer to keep everything in its place.
22 | Organize Your Teacher Workspace
Another good idea to keep your desk organized is to invest in desktop organizers like file holders, and supply caddies. If you create a space that looks pretty it will motivate you to keep it organized too.
For more ideas on organizing and decorating your teacher’s desk check out this post…The Best Classroom Teacher Desk Ideas & Organization Tips
23 | Classroom Decorations
Ok, so now that you are set up and organized let’s skip to the fun part, decorating your pre k classroom. Check out some ideas below.
24 | Choose a Classroom Theme
Are you the teacher that likes to have everything in your classroom match a theme? If so, then now is the time to choose your new theme for the upcoming school year.
Here are some of my favorite themes this year for a kindergarten classroom:
- Superhero Theme
- Forest Themed Classroom
- Safari Theme
- Bee Classroom Theme
- Space Classroom Theme
Check out ideas for these themes and more in this post…41 Best Preschool Classroom Themes (Fun Ideas to Copy)
25 | Setup Bulletin Boards
Next, you’ll want to plan out your bulletin board for the beginning of the year.
Here’s a cute classroom display idea to welcome students at the beginning of the school year. Add students’ names to school pencil pendants with the phrase, “Hooray you’re finally here!”
26 | Create a Work Coming Soon Bulletin Board
“This is our Happy Place” is a fun phrase to add to a wall or bulletin board in your preschool classroom. Copy this idea to create a bulletin board for student work that is coming soon.
Add composition notebooks with clips as placeholders for children’s work.
You can check out more inspiration for preschool bulletin board ideas here…29 Best Preschool Bulletin Board Ideas
27 | Create a Word Wall
To enhance classroom literacy skills consider creating an interactive word wall or a sound wall for your students where they can grab word or letter from a peg board or a bulletin board.
To steal this idea, you can get a pegboard from Amazon. Here’s a 4 piece one that comes with accessories like shelves that you can use for extra words.
28 | Preschool Affirmation Station Setup
For a preschool classroom add an affirmation station with both words and pictures surrounding a mirror. The visual aids will help non-reading students connect with the positive affirmations as they look at their reflection.
Check out more affirmation station ideas here- Affirmation Station: Easy How to Guide for Your Classroom
29 | Our Classroom Rules Activity
Here’s a great way to have students take ownership of the classroom rules. First stamp students’ hands to a poster and then let it dry.
Then lead a class discussion on rules and have each student choose a rule that they feel should be valued in the classroom space. Write that rule on their handprint and then have the student sign their name.
If you want some more ideas for classroom rules check out this post… Classroom Rules & Class Expectations Examples
30 | Sub Tub Classroom Resource
Make it easy on yourself and your sub by creating a sub tub. This great tool will be one spot to hold all of the resources that the substitute teacher will need when you’re out.
In the sub tub you can include a sub binder with the lesson plans, sub tickets and you can even add a thank you note and a little treat!
I hope you found some new pre k classroom setup ideas that you’re going to try this year and hopefully they make your year a little easier and more fun! Feel free to save your favorite ideas to your Pinterest boards. To do that just click on the picture and then the P and choose your board.
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