As part of the USD 383 2018 Bond package, BG Consultants was contracted to design the improvements to the College Hill Early Learning Center. The Early Learning Center is a 28,671 GSF one-story educational facility tailored for the district’s youngest students, ages five and younger. This single story building was built surrounding an 1895 Limestone School house. The existing 1970’s facility was demolished to greatly expand the services provided on site. The new building now has 13 classrooms and a large multipurpose room that doubles as a FEMA rated Tornado Shelter. The old school house is now an FEP Community Room which expands community resources provided. The district Early Learning Resource Offices have been consolidated to this location with dedicated offices for each service officer.

In order to break up the large façade of the building, the plan undulates and changes material to break up the building and create a smaller scale neighborhood feel. The north and south side of the facility has their own separate play areas featuring various play toys including outdoor chalkboards and a wood ship.

Interiors feature dedicated casework with built in space for a mini fridge and wash fountains set at a height for ease of use of young children heights. The flooring in the whole school is polished concrete with select featured areas with carpet and dedicated installed rugs depending on the room’s use.