Yep this is exactly what I do with Sage. I can let Zoey and T.j roam the house, but Sage gets in way to much trouble if I'm not watching him. My dogs love there crates, and will go in there even without me asking them to.

To add on to what Freedom said, crates should NEVER EVER be a punnishment place. Crates should be a happy place that dogs enjoy to go in.