Idea sharing - Planning our space

Create an informal circle with bright rugs, cushions and beanbags. Provide cuddle rugs for babies. Place age-appropriate books, and other colourful items for interacting and participating in the story or with the theme for the session Eg. toys, musical instruments, coloured scarves or pennants for waving.

An informal circle has been formed using a rug and colourful cushions and books to draw in the children.

The circular shape for everyone to sit in invites everyone to sit together, the colours also make the space inviting to people

Pillows, toys, rugs, bean bags, area appropriate for the session in regards to light, space and comfortability.

In a more open area of the library, define the space with mats/blankets, cushions, possibly other seating. Make it inviting and colourful. Have soft things for babies to lay on and kids to sit on. Keep temptations out of reach as toddlers will wander and want to play with anything they can get their hands on, so if you have items for use later (eg: scarves, shakers), keep them out of sight until needed.

cushions, mats, toys and fun pictures to invite participants . we i work they have cute pictures stuck to the floor from the entry for the little ones to follow a path to the area where the program is being held. Gives the children a fun way to interact with their grown ups as they follow to the space

Circular seating set up for engagement and communication, cushions for comfort, books being accessible on the mat rather than stored away, toys set up within easy reach rather than stored away.

We have bean bags for parents, toys and a warm welcoming environment for children in our children's section.

We have cushions and mats. Props set out for children and parents to interact before the story time. Age appropriate toys provided for each session.

We have a central mat to denote a welcome zone and various cushions and seating options to suit different tastes. We try and incorporate tactile items for early arrivals to be engaged with and help with distractions for some children during the session.

We have some big colourful mats and put out cushions in a circle, which helps differentiate the program space from the rest of the junior area. It also encourages the families to sit in more of a circle formation and interact with their little ones, instead of sitting and watching the staff member like a performance.
I also like to have lots of board books and things to grab and play with out before the start of the session, so that little ones have something to look at and play with if they get there early.

Having an open, welcoming, inviting, vibrant space, with a colourful mat, some cushions, and some board books before we begin the session. Then for the stay and play, after the delivered session, we will have some toys for the little ones to play with.

cushions, mats, and toys are welcoming and more exciting for both the children and adults other than just plain boring carpet with nothing on it

Cushions, toys, bright colours, a simple layout

Cushions, mats, bright colourful and inviting decor

Clearing the space for maximum comfort and interaction of customers. Putting up signage to notify customers what is going on in the space.
These photos have included cushions, blankets, toys and other items to interact with which is great. The area looks comfortable and welcoming.

Clearing a big space. Away from the rest of the library users.

Clear wide space without hazard of tripping.
Comfortable and colourful blankets and cushions in circular way.
Boards to place song lyrics.

Circle formation, mat on floor, soft cushion seating

There are cushions set out in a circle for comfort and a community feel. There are picture books and toys put out for interaction and promotion, and there are often blankets/ rugs to increase the comfort of it also.

We arrange the children's area to ensure we have plenty of space to accommodate participants and prams.

We use 'stepping stones' to lead families into the children's area which is set up with a large bright mat, comfortable cushions arranged in a circle, some comfortable seating, quiet music, sensory toys and board books on display.

The presenter is seated so they can see any new or late arrivals and is able to welcome them into the space.

We have cushions, toys, books, and props that relate to the songs or stories that will be in the session. Everything is colourful and there is a clear area for parents to park their prams or to sit on a chair if they can not sit on the ground.

We set up a very nice and welcoming space. We put down an extra-large blanket, put out some large pillows, and greet everyone as they come in to join us in the space.

We set up a very welcoming space using stepping stones, book displays, mat, cushions, comfy chairs and places to sit

We use an open space at the end of the book shelves - there are a few comfy chairs set up and there is also a big bright mat on the floor where the kids normally sit down to listen to a story.

I set up the space in a way that is recognizable and welcoming, like putting cushions in a circle to promote interaction, toys and blankets, books and a music player.

We lay out little 'stepping stones' to invite children and babies into the space where there is a colourful mat, comfortable cushions and soft armchairs for parents and guardians. We move shelving furniture to create space for prams, have board books and other sensory toys on display and always have the storytime presenter in the childrens area welcoming everyone personally into the space.

The mats are lovely and cushions look inviting. Books standing up at the front of mat for interest. Shakers already out. We currently lay out cushions, mats, books laying down. We also have some sensory toys which we can layout.

Kids sit on a large colourful oval-shaped mat that has the alphabet on it. A child often points out an animal or a letter relating to the book being read. A adults sit on a couple of long seats set up so it gives the feel of a 'room without walls'. Children's sessions are held in the Children's Corner, away from public computers. Before Covid-19, kids sat on 'donut cushions' but these are no longer used do to health risk.

First Five Forever Banner, and leaflets, colourful 'donut' cushions to sit on, sensory toys, board books/ display trolley with range of books to make parents life easier e.g. cook books for weaning, lunches etc, parenting books or PB's. Story board set up and ready. Usually we are there to welcome the families into the space and chat.

Lots of board books are always available as well as mats and cushions to make the area more inviting.

The pre-laid out floor mats/cushions give off an inviting impression it makes me think "I am welcome in this space" when I see it. Also the activities being in sight get people feeling excited and perhaps reassured of what would to expect in the session if they were nervous or they have a nervous child. I also think the way the cushions are laid out (in a circle) or in any shape that each person is able to see each other and feel more connected as a group.

cushions, playmats, carpet mats, rugs and play equipment used to make a set area of inclusion

Mats, cushions, shakers, board books.

We have two large colourful mats for families to play and relax on. Within our Children's Area we also have a lounge, cushions, chairs and tables for families to utilise when visiting. We also put out different toys for the children to play with.

We have a beautiful colourful mat that we use on the floor, we also have cubes , cushions and bean bags. It is a comfy space for the children to sit and interact.

We use donut cushions, board and picture books, sensory and interactive items to create a welcoming space.

Cushions, mat, sensory toys, books and songsheets

Cushions, mat, toys and books

In each photo there were cushions all placed so that when people arrive and sit down they face each other. All of the spaces are inviting and look comfortable.
In our library we use a smart board occasionally in our Rhyme time sessions, this enables the parents to see the words to the rhymes and the children recognize the pictures that are attached to the rhyme. eg. Humpty Dumpty, The egg sitting on the wall. We also have a mat that the parents and children are encouraged to sit around.

Cushions, mats and comfortable seating for parents, also nice open spaces so that everyone is not squished up together

The cushions are wonderful and so are the mats we also now in our new facility have some small bench like seats for parents to sit on as well as a window seat

a cushion or mat for each participant creates an inclusive atmosphere. I like to use toys relating to the theme in the centre of the circle or sometimes on each cushion. I have related play items around the room with books on the theme.

Cushions, mats, inviting toys,

Love the cushions!

The cushions and mats have been provided to make caregivers comfortable while engaging in the program with their little ones. Books and toys at child's level also allow for them to easily reach and interact. Unfortunately, Covid has stopped us from allowing children and adults to play together and socialise at the end of sessions, but we still try to create a warm and welcoming environment with mats, books on each mat, along with a shaker to use for themselves which are then cleaned after each session. We have multiple staff in each session, smiling, answering questions, and joining in with the singing and reading.

There is enough room for everyone to move around and not be on top of each other. Pillows are always a big hit as they are very comfy and can also help everyone to sit in their own space when needed. Toys and other colourful items can be used for informal learning/fun. Pillows are also great if kids don't like to sit in one space and move around, you can pretend they are a tuffet during nursery rhymes or anything else that may go along with what you are doing in the session.

A defined space with blankets, mats, and cushions helps to make families feel comfortable in sessions.

Having toys and books spread out and available for children to play with and look through helps create an inviting space that encourages them to read and engage, especially if these relate to the theme of the session.

Pillows and seats to allow families to be more comfortable and not have to sit on the ground.
Colourful Sensory Tiles to entertain Kids and Parents alike before and throughout the program.
In the children's area to surround them with lovely books that the kids can pick out and bring back to there Parents or Carers
Large Bright Windows to give warm, soft natural Light

because of covid at the moment we use large mats and have the books on the mats ready for the children we have a friendly staff member waiting to greet them at the door and also at the front of the room engage with both child and family

The cushions on the floor in a circle is inviting and the storyteller has eye contact with her audience.
I do wonder if larger poof cushions could be used for pregnant mums or the grand parents?

I think they've tried to use mats and cushions to create a comfy place for parents, although they don't look very well cushioned to me. The mats do create a zone, which people where the activity will be happening, so parents know to come close and other know to stay away :).
I like that books have been put out, at baby level.

The cushions provide a sense of welcoming and help guide families on where to make themselves comfortable in the space. The colourful elements and props provide a sense of fun and pique curiosity.

The mats and cushions all make it inviting to sit and participate. Toys and books scattered also entice and encourage exploration.

A warm, soft inviting space with colourful mats and or cushions and a circular shape so that everybody feels included and can easily see the presenter and each other.

Simple layout, set in a circle, plenty of colour, places for the kids to sit, a nice, warm rug, books and a couple toys. We'd often try to keep the toys and books relevant to the "theme" of the session - for example, we might have a session based around Farms and Farmers, and then the toys would be farm-animal stuffed toys, books about sheep, pigs, cows, etc. and maybe a couple pre-prepared nursery rhymes

The circular shape makes it an inclusive and inviting space. Cushions are welcoming and the colours appeal without overtaking the space or making it too busy.

Simple layout with cushions and books which looks colourful and inviting

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