Motor & SI Centres
Motor Skills & SI Centres for Therapy
Motor Skills & SI Centres: Planning and Set-Up Made Easy
A motor skills and SI (sensory integration) centre for therapy practices, nurseries and schools opens up a wide range of options for targeted support. If you are planning a motor skills centre or setting up an SI room, you’ll find solid guidance here – from initial needs analysis and safety aspects through to the right equipment. Discover what really matters when planning and furnishing a motor skills or SI centre so it perfectly matches the needs of therapy, nursery and school settings.
What is a motor skills and SI centre?
- Goals of a motor skills and SI centre
- Space planning and space requirements
- Safety as the foundation of planning
- Focus on flexibility
- Ideas for equipping a motor skills and SI centre
- Hygiene and care
- The importance of regular maintenance
1. What is a motor skills and SI centre?
A motor skills and SI centre is a specially designed movement and activity environment developed for educational, sports and therapy facilities. It is a stable steel-and-wood structure that stands freely in the room and is securely anchored to the floor. Where room conditions require it – for example with non-load-bearing ceilings or underfloor heating – it can also be safely fixed to the wall. The motor skills and SI centre specifically supports sensorimotor development and offers varied movement and sensory experiences – perfectly tailored to a wide range of institutional requirements. The focus is on promoting sensorimotor development and body awareness. These centres combine different movement and sensory experiences in a room concept that can be used in many different ways.
At the heart of the concept are pieces of equipment, suspension systems and materials that enable a wide variety of movement patterns – such as swinging, climbing, balancing, pulling and feeling. Depending on the individual set-up, these centres can be used for both targeted one-to-one and group therapy. They particularly address the sensory systems that are crucial for children’s development: balance (vestibular system), deep pressure and joint perception (proprioceptive system) and touch (tactile system).
2. Defining the goals of a motor skills and SI centre
The first step in planning a motor skills and SI centre is to clearly define your goals. Only when the objectives are clear from the outset can you select suitable solutions and the right equipment. Each organisation should begin by asking: Which skills and abilities do we want to promote? Is the focus on improving general mobility, supporting specific sensory systems or achieving defined therapeutic goals? The basis is always an individual needs analysis that takes into account the characteristics of your specific target group. The individual priorities can vary depending on user group and support focus, and should be defined in detail as part of a tailored planning process.
A key aim of motor skills and SI centres is to promote the three fundamental sensory systems:
- Vestibular system (sense of balance):
The balance system is stimulated by equipment such as swings, spinning devices, roller boards and especially hanging seats. These movement experiences train the ability to perceive body position and movement in space precisely and to react appropriately.
- Proprioceptive system (deep pressure and joint perception):
The proprioceptive system is trained in particular by equipment and materials that encourage climbing, pulling, pushing or balancing. Typical examples include crawl tunnels, obstacle courses with soft and firm elements, and climbing walls where children can practise differentiated use of strength and coordination.
- Tactile system (sense of touch):
A variety of surfaces, sensory paths and touch elements stimulate the sense of touch. Different material textures, shapes and sensory elements invite children to explore, feel contrasts and use their hands in a targeted way.
With carefully selected equipment, the motor skills and SI centre supports the integration and development of these sensory systems. This integration is a key prerequisite for healthy motor, cognitive and social development. In everyday school and social practice, the following goals are often central:
- Encouraging enjoyment of movement and motivation to be active
Children and young people should experience the fun of moving and build up positive movement experiences.
- Improving fundamental motor skills
Basic skills such as balancing, climbing, jumping, rolling and supporting are promoted and further developed.
- Targeted training of sensorimotor skills
The centre should help strengthen the integration and processing of sensory input (vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile).
- More participation, social skills and inclusion
Especially in group settings, motor skills centres encourage children to try things out together, support one another and strengthen social interaction.
- Preventing and compensating for sedentary everyday routines
Particularly in school and therapy settings, these centres help provide an active counterbalance to sitting and screen time.
Conclusion: A motor skills and SI centre is a tool designed to support individual development goals. Whether your focus is on promoting movement, sharpening specific sensory systems or fostering social integration: clearly defined objectives are always the foundation for all subsequent planning and equipment decisions.
3. Space planning and space requirements
A well-planned motor skills and SI centre makes the most of the available space. Both small and large rooms are suitable, as long as there is enough room for children to swing, climb, balance and use different pieces of equipment safely. Ideally, areas for different sensory experiences – such as movement, calm and tactile exploration – are clearly organised and separated within the room. This makes it easier to implement specific support priorities.
++ Keeping safety and accessibility in mind: Safety is always the top priority in planning. Make sure you consider different user groups and offer age-appropriate and inclusive movement activities. A clear room layout with good lines of sight makes supervision easier and supports safe interaction. As few trip hazards as possible, flexible impact protection mats and easily accessible equipment for all ages and ability levels should be part of the planning from the start. It is also important that the centre is designed so that children with disabilities or additional support needs can actively participate.
++ Practical tips for using the space: Modular systems that can be adapted to different rooms and groups have proven particularly effective. Mobile or wall-mounted elements create flexibility and allow you to make optimal use of the space. Open rooms with plenty of light and quiet retreat areas promote well-being and invite children to move. Whatever the room size, the centre should feel welcoming and encourage varied use.
Conclusion: Careful, flexible space planning lays the foundation for a safe, adaptable and inclusive motor skills and SI centre. If you consider key aspects such as safety, accessibility and the needs of different user groups early on, you not only encourage a love of movement, but also create the basis for a long-lasting, versatile activity space.
4. Safety as the foundation of planning
User safety is paramount in every motor skills and SI centre. From the outset, only tested equipment that complies with current standards and safety regulations should be used. This includes certifications such as DIN EN 1176 for play and sports equipment. Durable, robust materials further increase everyday safety.
- Safe installation and regular maintenance
All equipment must be professionally installed and securely fixed to the room structure or ceiling. Suspension systems such as swings or hanging seats require particularly stable fixings and regular checks. Maintenance schedules with defined inspection intervals carried out and documented by qualified professionals are recommended. Visual checks of moving parts such as carabiners and joints should also be standard.
- Supervision and clear rules of use
Responsible supervision by qualified staff is essential to ensure everyone’s safety. Clear, age-appropriate rules for using the equipment create a safe environment and provide guidance. In group settings in particular, supervision must always be sufficient.
- Impact protection and risk minimisation
A key aspect is the use of impact protection mats or suitable non-slip flooring – especially under climbing and swinging areas. These effectively protect against injuries from falls. Shock-absorbing materials laid over a wide area further reduce the risk.
- Legal requirements and responsibility
Operators and institutions must consistently comply with all legal requirements and manufacturers’ instructions. This also includes documenting all maintenance and inspections. Regular staff training on safety-related topics ensures a consistently high safety standard.
Conclusion: A comprehensive safety concept is essential for the worry-free, effective use of a motor skills and SI centre. With tested equipment, clear rules and regular checks, you build trust and protect everyone involved as effectively as possible.
5. Flexibility and adaptability in focus
A modular concept offers schools and therapy facilities maximum flexibility when equipping motor skills and SI centres. Instead of relying on one fixed, all-in-one system, individual modules such as wall bars, balance elements, hanging seats or tactile panels can be combined as needed and added to at any time. This makes it easy to adapt to changing user groups, different room sizes and evolving support goals. The advantages of the modular approach are clear: modules can be set up, stored and swapped around as required. For facilities with multi-purpose rooms or limited space, this means the activity area remains multifunctional and equipment is only set up when it is actually needed. Extensions, redesigns or themed set-ups can be implemented without structural changes. Repairs or replacement of individual modules are also much easier.
Practical examples of modular motor skills support
Typical elements of a modular concept include mobile wall bars, versatile balance courses, climbing elements, rotating suspension systems and individual components for promoting tactile perception. Together, they create a flexible system that can be configured to suit specific needs.
Use cases and user-focused design
Modular motor skills and SI concepts are ideal for facilities that want to provide needs-based, cost-effective support. They allow targeted use by different age groups – from toddlers to teenagers – and can be tailored to specific requirements such as inclusion or one-to-one therapeutic work.
6. Typical equipment for a motor skills and SI centre
The typical basic equipment of a motor skills and SI centre combines safe flooring solutions with versatile climbing, swinging and attachment elements. By flexibly combining the individual components, you create a movement-rich, therapeutically effective environment that can be tailored to the specific needs of your users. ++ Safe flooring – impact protection mats: An impact protection mat set is the foundation of any safe movement landscape. It reliably protects against injuries from falls and gives both children and supervisors a sense of security. High-quality mats are non-slip, shock-absorbing and can be used flexibly throughout the room. They should be laid under all climbing and swinging systems.
++ A variety of gymnastics elements: Standard equipment includes wall bars and climbing walls. Wall bars enable basic climbing, hanging and holding exercises that provide a wide range of motor and proprioceptive stimuli. Climbing walls specifically promote strength, coordination and body awareness – both in individual and group settings.
++ Swings for vestibular input: Horseback-style and platform swings expand the range of movement activities with important balance experiences. They specifically promote the vestibular system and can be used in many ways – from gentle swinging for relaxation to active movement training in SI therapy.
++ Flexible fixings: Wall rails are extremely practical basic elements. They can be used to attach climbing nets, therapy hammocks or balance elements horizontally. This allows the equipment to be quickly and individually adapted to changing requirements. Therapy hammocks or climbing nets support crawling, pulling and holding exercises, or invite children to enjoy gentle rocking and cradling movements.
7. Hygiene and care
Consistent hygiene is essential for the safe, long-term use of a motor skills and SI centre. All frequently touched or heavily used elements – such as mats, swings, climbing components or handholds – should be cleaned regularly. This helps minimise the risk of infection and maintain high hygiene standards in schools and therapy facilities. Mild, material-friendly cleaning agents suitable for the respective surfaces are best for day-to-day care. Disinfectants should be chosen carefully to avoid damaging the materials. For textile surfaces in particular, it is advisable to consult the manufacturer’s recommendations on cleaning and care.
Cleaning intervals and material compatibility
Cleaning intervals depend on how intensively the centre is used and on the facility’s own guidelines. Heavily used surfaces such as impact protection mats or seating areas should be checked and cleaned at least weekly. Where possible, textile covers should be removable and washable. Avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners to protect surfaces in the long term. Textile and padded elements require particularly careful care, as they can absorb more dirt and bacteria. Always follow the manufacturer’s washing instructions and care guidelines. In sensitive areas, more frequent cleaning or, in the case of heavy soiling, replacing the covers is recommended.
8. The importance of regular maintenance
Regular maintenance of all movement and play elements is essential to ensure the safe, long-term operation of a motor skills and SI centre. Only continuous care and inspection will reveal signs of wear at an early stage and help prevent accidents. Especially in facilities with high usage levels, such as schools and therapy practices, a clearly structured maintenance plan covering all relevant components is recommended. Typical maintenance tasks include checking all fixings, joints and connections for secure fit and wear. Moving parts such as carabiners, eyelets, climbing holds or ropes require particular attention. Impact protection mats also need regular visual checks and must be replaced immediately if damaged. For equipment with textile materials such as hanging seats or therapy hammocks, additional manufacturer care instructions apply – for example regarding cleaning or replacement after intensive use.
Practical tip: Complete documentation of all maintenance work ensures transparency and can be an important proof for authorities or insurers in the event of damage. It is advisable to keep inspection logs and systematically record all checks carried out and any defects identified. Many manufacturers, including Sport-Thieme, offer a wide range of original spare parts that are precisely matched to the respective equipment. It is sensible to keep a small stock of frequently needed spare parts on hand to minimise downtime.
If you have questions about a specific motor skills and SI centre or need support in planning a complete SI room, simply get in touch with us via the contact form or give us a call. We’re here to help.