Early Childhood Education with Indoor & Outdoor Learning

Thornapple Kellogg Schools expanded their educational offerings to accommodate a growing number of students with a new Early Childhood Center that houses the district’s preschool programs for 3- and 4-year-olds, the Great Start Readiness Preschool, Early Childhood Special Education, and child care. Part of the district’s $42.8 million bond to enhance the district’s educational facilities and create space for a growing community, the building and landscape are designed to accommodate early learners with spaces for both indoor and outdoor play and learning. Creating a sense of community pride, a T-shaped building puts the front of the school at the head, with a welcome area, staff offices and lounge, and a large multipurpose room and gymnasium that can be used for community events and gatherings. With a focus on play as a learning medium, the spaces promote the creation of advanced learning environments, collaboration among students, faculty and staff, and instructional flexibility. Windows placed high above the central learning wing allow ample natural light to blanket the indoor spaces, and efficient and adaptable spaces allow for learning in pods, large groups or individually. Enabling the district to expand their educational programming for early learners while creating flexibility for future expansion and curricular adaptability is at the heart of this new school.