Calm Corner

Around 1 in 5 children in New Zealand are neurodiverse, including those with ADHD, autism, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). As these numbers grow, early childhood education (ECE) centres face increasing pressure to support a wider range of emotional and sensory needs.Many centres lack the funding and space for dedicated sensory environments, while existing solutions are often low quality, made from synthetic materials, and too expensive for the average ECE centre. As well as this, many existing solutions fail to balance child privacy with safe teacher supervision.

Through extensive prototyping, user testing, and refinement, the Calm Corner addresses the lack of affordable, high quality sensory spaces in ECE centres. Early prototypes tested size, shape, and space to ensure children could move freely while feeling secure. Feedback from teachers refined supervision, accessibility, and usability in busy classrooms. The perforated cover provides privacy without isolation, and the interior, made from New Zealand strong wool, offers a soft, tactile surface for engagement. A built in pocket stores sensory tools, while lightweight construction allows teachers to assemble, pack down, and transport the space easily.

The Calm Corner enables ECE centres to provide an affordable sensory space where children can learn to self regulate and return to a ready to learn state. By allowing teachers to supervise safely, the Calm Corner reduces stress and supports higher quality teaching. It particularly benefits children with neurodiverse needs, helping support development of self regulation skills and reducing long term educational inequalities, better preparing them for school and life. Durable, repairable materials and parts also reduce waste compared with other sensory spaces on the market.

The main feature of the Calm Corner is its perforated cover, made from three laminated layers: a wool–polyester exterior, an inner mesh, and a New Zealand strong wool interior. The light yet strong blue exterior visually signals a calming area distinct from the rest of the centre. The inner mesh provides structure, durability, and allows teachers to observe children through the perforations. The wool interior offers a soft, tactile surface for children to engage with.The perforation pattern was carefully designed and tested to balance privacy and supervision. Slots increase in size toward the top of the cover, creating a gradient that makes it difficult for children outside to look in while providing teachers with a clear line of sight. This ensures children feel secure and comfortable, while educators can monitor activity safely and effectively.