Getting started - Click on the blue tab that says "Classroom Designer". Sign up as a new user or log in to use this program.  There is no cost.  If you have just signed up, but nothing seems to be happening, go back to the log in screen and hit Log In.  A new screen with the classroom designer should open.

On the right hand side of the screen, choose "Interactive Tours". It takes just a few minutes and it explains a lot about designing your classroom. You can restart the tour at any point in the design process.

To choose a floor plan:

Look at a few of the pre-arranged Childcraft classrooms to get ideas about furniture and how to arrange it. Then choose a room shape to design your own classroom.

To fill it with furniture:

Use the red button above your floor plan grid - it says "Childcraft furniture". You can place each piece of furniture where ever you like. Drag it around with your mouse and drop it where you want it. Notice that a photo of the item you've selected appears in the upper right corner of the screen. The Rotation button below the floor plan grid will allow you to orient each item.

To place walls, windows, doors, etc.:

Choose "Existing Items in my classroom", above the floor plan grid.

To print the floor plan:

Use the "Print this classroom" button on the right side of the designer.

To paste the floor plan into a Word document or PowerPoint slide:

With the classroom floor plan on your screen, press the Alt and Print Screen keys on the computer keyboard (at the same time). It won't look like anything has happened! Then open Word or PowerPoint. Right click, or go to Edit on the toolbar, and Paste the picture. Save your document or presentation as you normally would.

To save the classroom :

On the right-hand side of the designer, click on "Save this Classroom."  A dialog box will appear asking you to Save, Save as, or cancel.  Each command has a small red box next to it.  You MUST click on the RED BOX, not the text.  Click on the red box next to "Save as" and name your classroom.  ChildCraft saves the classroom to its server.  Each time you log in, you may create a new classroom, or continue working on a saved classroom.

To view or print the furniture: THIS ONLY WORKS WITH A SAVED CLASSROOM - SEE ABOVE!

Click on the "Purchase this Classroom" button on the right-hand side of the designer.  Click YES if a dialog box regarding secure items appears.  Now you can click on the description of each item to get more information and pictures of the items.  You can print the descriptions and pictures using File and Print in the toolbar. Or you can save the pictures to your desktop or flashdrive so you can use them in your presentation. Right click, or go to File on the toolbar, and Save the picture. THIS FUNCTION DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK - IF YOU DON'T GET A LIST OF THE ITEMS IN YOUR CLASSROOM, TRY AGAIN LATER.

To open a saved classroom:

Click on the "Open classroom" button on the right hand side of the designer. In the dialog box that appears, choose "Saved Room", click on the classroom name, then click on "open classroom". Click on the small RED BOXes, not the text.