Bright Space Models
Bright Space® Models
Over the years, we’ve developed several different models to help centers and agencies create a play space that’s truly right for their environment and their families. Each agency is unique, serving a particular clientele with specific needs. Some are serving families for a night or two, while others provide housing and other supportive services for up to 2 years. There are many factors which determine which type of Bright Space is best for your partnership, so please work with National Director of Bright Spaces Ileen Henderson () to discuss the best choice for your situation.
A Bright Space is a space designed to brighten the lives of homeless children and families. All Bright Spaces have the goal of increasing the quality of life and supporting the development of homeless children and families of children. The key to success is the right design for the particular place. Agencies differ in services, space, resources, organizational stability quality, programs available to children and families, staffing, volunteers, and other organizational elements. Their population of children and families vary from agency to agency and may vary over time. Bright Spaces can be different sizes, serve different age groups, and be designed for various programming and levels of supervision. They will typically share some common concerns: the equipment is likely to receive hard use by children unfamiliar with the materials, the rules of use, and with few possessions of their own. Children and families will be feeling the usual stresses and strains of traumatic dislocation and group living.
The basic Bright Space models:
· Classroom – The Classroom Bright Space is designed as a warm, inviting classroom for the age groups designated by the agency. This type of Bright Space is best for an agency that has trained children’s program staff or a strong volunteer program. It assumes a staffed program of activities with agency staff or volunteer supervision. The hours available to children will be based on the availability of staffing. Optimum use (minimum 20 or more hours a week) requires a well developed and sustainable system of staffing. The structure is typically age-appropriate learning centers, tables and chairs, soft spaces, and ample storage.
· Family Room – This model is the most common, because it is designed to allow agency families to have a relaxing place to play together during the times they are “home” – in other words, after the parents have come back to the agency after work or classes and are spending family time with their children. It’s designed for the weekends and evenings, those times that can become stressful if you have no place to play, work off energy, or cuddle together.
The Family Room Bright Space is designed as a warm engaging, multi-purpose recreational space for adults and children to spend time together: a place for family interactions, play, conversation, reading, games, activities, and just hanging out. The space requires the adult presence of parents, staff, or volunteers. The furnishings and equipment reflect the need for both adult and child scale and limited supervision over materials. The structure is typically transformable age-appropriate learning centers that may be rotated, soft areas with adult seating, table games for older children, and storage. Toys need to be sturdy and easily accessible to parents of all educational backgrounds.
· Independent Children’s Space – The Independent Children’s Bright Space is designed as an engaging place for children to play with less close supervision. The space may or may not be designed for families and might be designed for a wide or limited age range. Nearby, periodic adult supervision is assumed. This type of Bright Space might resemble well designed spaces for children in public places that assume less regular adult supervision and equipment and furnishings designed for heavy, low-supervision use – children’s museums, commercial play centers, airports, waiting areas. Typically the area includes sturdy fixed equipment (mirrors, wire bead mazes, etc), large equipment such as learning tables, foam play risers or pits, dress up materials, equipment and toys with few if any small parts, and ample storage.
· Teen Space – The Teen Space is designed as a place to “hang out” in a room that is safe and engaging, providing teens with the feeling of having their own space while still ensuring adequate supervision. It is best to involve the teens of the agency in the planning of this space, so that it truly becomes their space.
· Outdoor Bright Space - Although we do not actually put embedded playground equipment in the space, there are many ways to provide the same home-like and relaxing environment out of doors. Providing shade, gross motor toys for running, riding and some low climbing, gardening and picnicking areas are some ideas for an outdoor Bright Space.
Selecting The Right Conceptual Model
A Bright Space should fit the agency and provide the optimum benefit to the children and families. Determining optimum benefit should include:
· the needs identified by the agency
· maximum potential utilization (hours available, % of children and families of the agency population)
· potential activities or services that might be provided
· sustainability over time
The Foundation staff can help you determine the model that best fits your situation, considering the space available, the agency staffing, the agency’s organizational structure, and the additional resources available to the agency in the community.
Selecting the Right Design and Equipment
The design and equipment should carefully reflect the space, the age range, the reliability of supervision, and the potential for replenishment. Agency families typically have very little to call their own and much of the children’s time is spent to play outside of the Bright Space. It is not surprising that toys and materials may disappear or migrate to other parts of the agency. Equipment and supplies should acknowledge this by avoiding toys and games with small components and providing secure storage. The Foundation is developing additional resources as a guide to equipping and furnishing the space. We can now provide you with vendor options for sturdy and flexible adult seating.
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