The aim of this paper is to describe how the material and spatial environment of the kindergarten affects the development of the child and his participation in the educational process. Also, the importance of the autonomy of preschool children in the process of upbringing and education is emphasized. At the very beginning, the child's development at all levels (physical, cognitive, social, emotional) will be described in order to better understand the function of the kindergarten as an educational institution and it's role in creating an idividual who will successfully integrate later in the school system and develop all the necessary competencies to successfully perform future tasks. The central part of the paper will explain the importance of an appropriate material environment in the development of a preschool child and his participation in the educational process. The importance of the educator and his competencies in creating a stimulating material environment is emphasized. The development of the child's autonomy in the educational process (as one of the settings of the curriculum) is extremely important. Gaining autonomy is key to the lifelong learning process.