Best Practices

To develop best practices for children’s spaces in Wake County, our community looked at similar projects around the country and gathered input from people throughout our own region. The goal was to find the common threads within successful children’s spaces, so we can apply them in all the places young children spend their time in Wake County.

To that end, we’ve zeroed in on 5 areas that are key to success. When we pay attention to these things, we can create spaces where children thrive — and help them build the foundation for future success in whatever they choose to do. Each of these 5 areas listed below includes many strategies for policy, practice, physical space, and people.

Staff and adults who are caring and responsive role models, and clear and open communicators, help children create warm and trusting relationships.

The great outdoors can play a big role in children’s healthy development — inspiring curiosity, encouraging creativity, spreading joy and relieving stress.

Varied, engaging spaces invite children to experience lots of activities of different kinds, so they can explore and master new skills.

Comfortable, secure spaces make children feel at ease trying new things, accepting fun challenges and focusing on what’s important: being a kid.

Welcoming, convenient spaces allow children of all abilities, cultures and backgrounds to feel at home and feel like a valued part of our community.