# How to Create a New Classroom

URL: https://guide.whitepenguin.co/docs/setup-your-school/how-to-create-a-new-classroom/

> Learn how to set up a new classroom in WhitePenguin — configure age ranges, capacity, assign staff, and get your room ready for children in just a few steps.



## Overview [#overview]

**Classrooms** are the core organizational unit in WhitePenguin. Every child, teacher, attendance record, and activity is tied to a classroom. &#x2A;*Before you can add children or assign teachers to a room, the classroom must first be created in the system.**

The **Add Classroom** form lets you define the classroom's name, the age range it supports, its maximum capacity, the staff assigned to it, and any relevant notes.

## How to Access the Add Classroom Form [#how-to-access-the-add-classroom-form]

1. Click **Classrooms** in the **left sidebar**.
2. On the Classrooms page, click the **+ Add Classroom** button (top right of the page).
3. The **Add Classroom** form will open as a full page.
4. Fill in the required fields (marked with a red asterisk \*).
5. Click **Save** when done.

<Callout tone="teal" icon="💡">
  You can also access Classrooms quickly using the **Quick Actions*&#x2A; shortcut from the Search menu, then click **+ Add Classroom** from there.
</Callout>

![How to Create a New Classroom — How to Access the Add Classroom Form](https://guide.whitepenguin.co/images/setup-your-school/how-to-create-a-new-classroom/01-how-to-access-the-add-classroom-form.webp)

![How to Create a New Classroom — How to Access the Add Classroom Form](https://guide.whitepenguin.co/images/setup-your-school/how-to-create-a-new-classroom/02-how-to-access-the-add-classroom-form.webp)

![How to Create a New Classroom — How to Access the Add Classroom Form](https://guide.whitepenguin.co/images/setup-your-school/how-to-create-a-new-classroom/03-how-to-access-the-add-classroom-form.webp)

![How to Create a New Classroom — How to Access the Add Classroom Form](https://guide.whitepenguin.co/images/setup-your-school/how-to-create-a-new-classroom/04-how-to-access-the-add-classroom-form.webp)

## Form Fields — Step by Step [#form-fields--step-by-step]

### 1. Classroom Name &#x2A;(required)* [#1-classroom-name-required]

Enter a clear, recognizable name for the classroom. This name will appear across the system — in attendance sheets, reports, and parent-facing views.

> **Examples:** *Butterflies Room*, *Toddlers A*, *Pre-K Blue*

### 2. Minimum Age &#x2A;(required)* [#2-minimum-age-required]

Select the **minimum age** of children eligible for this classroom from the dropdown. Age values range from **0 to 20 years**.

> Use this to ensure children are placed in age-appropriate classrooms during enrollment.

### 3. Maximum Age &#x2A;(required)* [#3-maximum-age-required]

Select the **maximum age** of children eligible for this classroom from the dropdown. Age values range from **0 to 20 years**.

<Callout tone="yellow" icon="⚠️">
  The **Maximum Age must always be greater than the Minimum Age**. For example, a classroom for toddlers might have a minimum age of 1 and a maximum age of 3.
</Callout>

### 4. Maximum Capacity &#x2A;(required)* [#4-maximum-capacity-required]

Enter the **maximum number of children** the classroom can accommodate. This helps you track room occupancy and prevents over-enrollment.

> **Tip:** Set this based on your facility's physical capacity and licensing requirements.

### 5. Assigned Staff &#x2A;(optional at creation)* [#5-assigned-staff-optional-at-creation]

Use the **Assigned Staff** dropdown to select one or more teachers to assign to this classroom.

<Callout tone="yellow" icon="⚠️">
  **You must have at least one teacher added to the system before you can assign staff here.** If no teachers have been added yet, this field will be empty.

  You can **save the classroom without assigning staff** and come back later to assign a teacher by editing the classroom. See the *Tips* section below for how to do this.
</Callout>

### 6. Notes &#x2A;(required)* [#6-notes-required]

Enter a brief description or any relevant notes about the classroom — such as the curriculum focus, room location, or special considerations.

![How to Create a New Classroom — 6. Notes (required)](https://guide.whitepenguin.co/images/setup-your-school/how-to-create-a-new-classroom/05-6-notes.webp)

## Tips & Related Info [#tips--related-info]

* **Age range (0–20 years):** The Min/Max Age dropdowns support a full range from **0 to 20 years**, making the system suitable for nurseries, preschools, primary schools, and beyond.
* **No teacher yet? No problem.** You can create a classroom without assigning a teacher. Once you have added teachers to the system via the **Teachers** section, go back to the classroom, click **Edit**, assign the teacher, and click **Save**.
* **Multiple staff per classroom:** The Assigned Staff field supports selecting **more than one teacher** per classroom. This is useful for rooms with co-teachers or classroom aides.
* **Classroom names are visible to parents** in some views — use clear, friendly names that are easy for families to recognize.
* **Review capacity regularly** — as you enroll more children, check the classroom's capacity to avoid overloading a room.

## FAQs [#faqs]

<Accordions>
  <Accordion title="Can I create a classroom without assigning a teacher?">
    Yes. The Assigned Staff field is optional at the time of creation. You can save the classroom first and then assign a teacher later by going to **Classrooms**, clicking on the classroom, selecting **Edit**, choosing the teacher from the Assigned Staff dropdown, and clicking **Save**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is the age range I can set for a classroom?">
    Both the Minimum Age and Maximum Age dropdowns support values from **0 to 20 years**. This makes the system flexible for nurseries, kindergartens, and older school-age programs.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The Assigned Staff dropdown is empty — why?">
    This means no teachers have been added to your school yet. Go to the **Teachers** section from the sidebar and add at least one teacher profile first. Once a teacher is added, they will appear in the Assigned Staff dropdown when creating or editing a classroom.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I assign more than one teacher to a classroom?">
    Yes. The Assigned Staff field supports selecting **multiple teachers** for the same classroom. This is useful for rooms with co-teachers, assistants, or rotating staff.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I edit a classroom after it has been created?">
    Yes. Go to **Classrooms**, find the classroom you want to update, and click the **Edit** option. You can change the name, age range, capacity, assigned staff, and notes at any time.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if a classroom reaches its maximum capacity?">
    The system will flag the classroom as full during enrollment. You will need to either increase the Maximum Capacity in the classroom settings or create a new classroom to accommodate additional children.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I delete a classroom?">
    Classrooms with active children or attendance records cannot be deleted to preserve data integrity. You can deactivate or archive a classroom instead. Contact your system administrator if you need to permanently remove a classroom.
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>
