FRK Architects-Engineers P.C.

The Indian Hills Child Development and Daycare Center is carefully designed to serve three primary purposes. First, the center provides a convenience to college faculty and staff by allowing them to drop off their children on-campus. Second, the center provides a similar convenience to Indian Hills students. This is especially valuable for those students who would not have other options for childcare. Without this opportunity for their children, they would be unable to earn a college education. Finally, the center provides a first-hand learning environment for college students who are studying child development.

The building is designed to reflect these priorities. The layout is thoughtfully structured to provide the highest quality experience possible for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Classrooms and play areas are sized for groups of twelve children, maximizing one-on-one interaction between the children and staff. Clear supervision is provided throughout. Special attention is given to child-friendly details, such as counters and cubbyholes placed low for their use and lowered windowsills so they can see out.

The daycare is intentionally placed on the edge of a wooded area to allow the children to interact with the outdoors. An outside play area brings them close to deer, birds, and other elements of nature, while still keeping them in a safe environment.

Special provisions are made in the design to allow college students to learn as well. Large glass windows allow viewing into each classroom from a central corridor. A microphone/speaker system allows people in the corridor to hear the sounds in each classroom without having to enter the room. Students in child development can then observe the children at play and work without having to distract from their activities.