The new KPS Early Childhood Center is currently in the design and budgeting stage of the Planning Phase. With providing a safe environment for students and staff a top priority, 7 key principles have helped pave the way through the Planning Phase of this project.
Key Principle #1: Commitment to Educational Excellence
Provide a world class educational environment for students, staff, and families, supporting the achievement of all developmental milestones for early learners in the district.
Key Takeaways:
* Daytime light exposure can boost learning (sunlight during the school day displayed 26% higher reading outcomes)
* Interaction with the natural environment is good for learning (students with unrestricted views of nature tested higher in reading, math, and language arts than students with urban views or no views)
* Classroom environments may be distracting for students. Noise (students can't focus), . temperature (optimal 68-74 degrees), and seating arrangement (impacts attention) all attribute to the 15% improvement in academic outcomes that is influenced by the classroom environment.
Key Principle #2: Healthy Environments
Provide a building and grounds which focuses on healthy solutions in the selection of building materials, air quality, daylight and views. Provide age appropriate nutritional offerings with a focus on healthy outcomes. Provide connections to nature throughout. Promote movement, play and joy.
Key Principle #3: Safe and Secure Facility
Design the site and building with sightlines, secure drop-off and pick-up, and intuitive wayfinding for all ages in mind. Support technology systems which enhance safety and security.
Key Principle #4: Equity and Inclusion for All
Provide facilities which provide for appropriate and inclusive scale, access, and use for all students, staff and families.
Key Principle #4:
Durability and Longevity
Select materials and details which
focus on promotion of health and
wellness, ease of use, maintenance,
cleanability, and consideration of
life cycle costing.
Key Principle #5:
Sustainability and Ecological Impact
Focus on materials, systems and designs which
minimize resource use and environmental impact. Use the building as a way to introduce sustainable ideas into the curriculum at an early age. Evaluate third party certification as a measurement tool.
Information provided by Tower Pinkster, the Grand Rapids based architectural, engineering and interior design team leading this process