Designing and building a child care facility isn’t like a typical tenant improvement project in Vancouver. While still subject to the Building Act, the BC Building Code, and the BC Fire Code, the province of British Columbia developed the “Design Guidelines for Child Care Centres” to provide guidance that goes beyond regulatory requirements.
Having recently worked on a child care facility, we were inspired to look at child care facilities throughout the world to see if and how some of their ideas could be applied here in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
New Shoots Whenuapai Childcare Centre – Auckland, New Zealand
https://newshoots.co.nz/whenuapai/
(Source: https://newshoots.co.nz/)
The uniquely curved whale-shaped architecture for this award-winning child care facility was inspired by the sea. The outdoor space was built with a Māori concept, “Tuakana-teina”, in mind, which is the principle of bringing older (tuakana) and younger (teina) people together in a learning environment.
How We Can Apply This in Vancouver:
We can consider how to include Indigenous cultures, where applicable, in creating exterior spaces for children that are both functional and meaningful. The Design Guidelines (Page 63) advises on how “land-based learning” could also be integrated in design. The concept of “Tuakana-teina” is seen in a similar recommendation in the Guidelines, with one suggestion to create supportive caregiving spaces by designing seating for adults to help further foster connections.
Ecole Maternelle Pajol – Paris, France
https://architectuul.com/architecture/ecole-maternelle-pajol
(Source: https://architectuul.com/architecture/ecole-maternelle-pajol)
This Kindergarten is located in a building from the 1940s that was renovated by the architecture firm Palatre et Leclere. The space is brought to life by its vibrant, bold use of colour throughout, creating an environment that is welcoming, warm, and fun for both children and teachers alike.
How We Can Apply This in Vancouver:
The Design Guidelines (Page 19) also encompasses the human aspect of planning child care centres, particularly around the B.C. Human Rights Code and the Accessible British Columbia Act. “Trauma-informed care” can be helpful when used in an appropriate context to help create an environment that feels safe and inclusive. The use of colour, along with warmer materials and finishes, can help minimize the feeling of a space feeling too institutional.
Fuji Kindergarten – Tokyo, Japan
(Source: https://fujikids.jp/en/facilities/)
“Experience Cannot be Taught” is the tagline for this school in Tachikawa City, part of the Tokyo Metropolis prefecture in Japan. The space is designed very intentionally, creating what they call ‘purposely created small inconveniences’. These small moments help children develop problem-solving skills, positive for building self-esteem, independence, and critical thinking.
How We Can Apply This in Vancouver:
The Design Guidelines (Page 46) outlines ways to design Children’s Washrooms in a way that accommodates the “diverse needs and abilities of the children accessing the centre”. With some careful thought and consideration, you can create a Children’s Washroom that can also help children feel a sense of independence: some examples include installing toilets of various heights, accessible hand dryers / paper towel dispensers, and building child-sized furniture such as step stools for sinks.
Diana Preschool – Reggio Emilia, Italy
https://www.scuolenidi.re.it/SchedaStruttura.jsp?idServizio=308
(Source: https://www.compasselc.com/a-system-of-love/)
With the Reggio Emilia approach being implemented around the world as one of the most popular early learning philosophies today, the Diana Preschool is an institution. Often a destination for international students seeking to learn more about early childhood education, the Reggio Emilia approach famously considers the physical environment the “Third Teacher”.
How We Can Apply This in Vancouver:
The Reggio Emilia approach is already quite prevalent in Metro Vancouver, with many child care centres currently implementing this teaching methodology. Under this approach, the child care facility should be designed to evoke a sense of curiosity and exploration. Section 5.0 of the Design Guidelines (Page 62) uses the term “Quality Outdoor Play Area” and expresses how design of this space is equally as important as indoor spaces. Outdoor spaces should create opportunities for children to be curious and adventurous, while also ensuring compliance with all health and safety standards.
If you’re interested in opening a child care facility in Metro Vancouver or the Fraser Valley but aren’t quite sure where to start, reach out today at info@collabmanagement.ca. We Build Better, Making It Easier.