Building Child Care: What 6 Items Cost the Most?

A guide to help you make smart choices during the design of your child care center.

When people think about designing a child care center, they often imagine it as a glorified house with a few extra bathrooms. But the truth is, designing a child care facility is like solving a complex puzzle, one that changes shape depending on which state you’re in and how steep the hillside is.

At Calbert Design Group, we’ve seen firsthand how these decisions can either make or break a project’s budget, and we’re here to share some of the costliest traps—and how to avoid them.

Let’s start with location. Picture this: You’ve found the perfect spot, but it’s in a state with a 50-page booklet of codes that could double as a sleep aid. The tricky part? Each state has its own set of rules, and sometimes they contradict each other. You might think you’re in the clear with a 60-inch-wide corridor, only to find out the fire code demands 72 inches. It’s like trying to follow a recipe when the ingredients keep changing.

Next up is site topography. If your dream location is on a hillside, brace yourself. Retaining walls, ADA-compliant paths, and classroom exits become a Rubik’s Cube of regulations.

And if those retaining walls are over 6 feet tall, you’ll need extra engineering and permits, not to mention fencing if they’re over 24 inches high. It’s enough to make you reconsider flat land.

Then there’s the playground—a deceptively simple feature that’s actually a maze of regulations. State codes, federal accessibility laws, and playground safety standards all come into play, literally.

And don’t forget about shade areas, fencing, and fall zone cushioning. Designing a playground isn’t just child’s play; it’s an exercise in balancing safety, fun, and compliance.

Now, let’s talk about accreditation. Think of it as the Michelin Guide for child care. Sure, state requirements will get you in the door, but premium ratings like NAEYC can set you apart—if you’re willing to navigate even stricter standards.

But beware: Sometimes these ratings are stricter than state codes, and occasionally, they’re not. It’s like playing a game where the rules aren’t always clear. Building Child Care What 6 Items Cost the Most?

Finish selections might seem like the fun part, but here’s the catch: If you’re following a corporate design standard, your choices are limited, but the process is quick and less expensive. Independent owners, on the other hand, have more creative freedom, but with that comes a longer design phase and potentially higher fees. It’s the difference between ordering off a set menu and crafting a meal from scratch.

Finally, menu planning. The extent of your on-site food preparation will determine your kitchen’s complexity. Deciding to add a fryer? Get ready for a bigger grease trap, a larger electrical panel, and a more advanced fire suppression system. It’s like a domino effect, where one decision triggers a cascade of costs.

In the end, designing a child care center is like assembling a puzzle where each piece has the potential to impact the others—and your budget. You need a licensed architect who’s a true specialist in child care design, someone who understands the federal, state, and local regulations inside and out. Because when it comes to child care, “figuring it out” isn’t just risky—it’s expensive.

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What State is the facility going to be located in?

Reference code books at the state level and zoning codes at the local level. Every state has their own building codes related to childcare and local municipalities drill down to even deeper specifics. Because they are public laws, municipalities publish these items online for free access. Generally, local requirements are the size of a 50-page booklet, and they make for some great bedtime reading if you have trouble falling asleep.

Be cautious: Many different codes will need to be followed simultaneously, and it’s crucial to know which code takes precedence over which. The building code may state that your corridors can be 60” wide, but the fire code may state that they have to be 72” wide. Each answer can also change within a state as well to reflect local code amendments.

2 – SITE TOPOGRAPHY

Is your location on a hillside?

The topography of a child care center is crucial. Trying to build childcare on a hillside will involve multiple retaining walls. A hillside will complicate the required ADA pedestrian paths from the street and parking to the entrance of the building. All classroom exit doors will also be required to lead out of the building with an ADA compliant path. It’s not enough to have handicap accessible Playground equipment; you have to also include an ADA compliant path to the equipment and an ADA compliant loaded area at the play equipment.

Be cautious: Retaining walls over 6’ high will require a higher level of engineering design and separate permitting, which will result in added costs. Retaining walls over 24” high will require fencing to protect pedestrians from falls, even when these walls are not along a sidewalk.

Building Child Care What 6 Items Cost the Most?
3 – PLAYGROUND

How large and where will the playgrounds be located?

Plan to reference state childcare playground requirements, Federal Accessibility Laws as well as Playground Safety Commission requirements. State childcare licensing also have minimum area requirements, specific shade areas requirements, and fencing requirements. In addition to code research, reach out to experienced playground equipment manufacturers in your area. They are a great resource for information and are always happy to help steer you in the right direction.

Be cautious: The level of information involved in playground design is just as extensive as building design. There are requirements for types of equipment, age appropriateness, fall zone cushioning, fencing, and accessibility.

4 – ACCREDITATION

Will you be following any premium level accreditation requirements?

When researching childcare requirements, remember that the published state childcare requirements are the absolute minimum requirements to open your doors for business. Most states have elective “premium” or “star” ratings. There are also elective ratings within the childcare industry, such as NAEYC. Compare the various elective rating systems and the costs associated with following their requirements and determine if there is value in going the extra mile.

Be cautious: These elective rating standards are usually stricter than state requirements. But beware of following them blindly, there are rare occasions when the NAEYC standard is less stringent than the state requirements.

5 – FINISH SELECTIONS

Is this facility following a corporate design standard?

Referencing a well-documented corporate brand and corporate safety standard takes the guesswork out of designing building layouts and selecting finishes, but they allow for very little flexibility. Independent ownership allows for more design options and creative ideas. This flexibility allows independent owners more freedom to be creative with finish selections, but will also require a more extensive decision-making process.

Be cautious: Do not allow yourself to get overwhelmed with the finish selection process. A longer selection process will extend the design schedule and result in a higher design fee. When a corporate standard has been created, there is no need to select new finishes. Therefore the project design phase is quicker. A quicker design phase reflects a less expensive design fee.

3 – PLAYGROUND

6 – MENU PLANNING

How much will food preparation occur on site?

The amount of cooking you will have on-site will determine the type of Kitchen needed for the facility. Kitchen requirements can vary greatly, and your operations process may evolve over time. Reference state and local Health Departments as well as Plumbing Codes for their most current requirements.

Be cautious: The selection of your kitchen equipment will have trickle-down repercussions and will add further requirements. Deciding to include a fryer will, in turn, require you to have a larger grease trap, a larger electrical panel, and a more advanced fire suppression system within your exhaust hood. Back of house utilities like these add up quickly because they all have huge cost implications and are not optional when required by code.

CONCLUSION

Designing and building a code compliant building is required by law, but you still have many choices to make along the way will have a domino effect on your budget. Don’t try to save money by putting your project in the hands of someone who thinks he can “figure it out.” Figuring it out will take time and errors will be made. In the construction of any building, time and mistakes can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Regardless of the size and location of your child care center, you will be required to use a licensed architect. Select one that can give you the most guidance possible and help you make informed design and operations decisions. Make sure your architect has extensive experience in child care and is well versed in the many federal, state and local regulations. Only a true child care specialist will be able to deliver a design that will work for your business goals and keep you aware of each decisions’ budget repercussions.

Our team of designers, planners, and architects has the knowledge and resources needed to create a daycare interior design that is both visually impressive and logical.

-This article was written by Rebecca Calbert.

Rebecca is a licensed architect with over 30 years of experience. She owns and operates an architectural firm, Calbert Design Group, and educates her clients through the commercial real estate development process with online content at SaveOnBuilding.com. Rebecca’s “purpose” is to educate small business owners and protect them from what they don’t know.

Building Child Care: The Hidden Costs and Clever Solutions

Imagine you’re standing on the threshold of your dream child care center. The air is filled with the joyous cacophony of toddlers laughing, blocks clattering, and the gentle hum of lullabies. You envision tiny shoes scattered by the door, colorful murals sparking imagination, and every corner meticulously designed for learning and growth. But before the magic can unfold, there’s a formidable gatekeeper: the building itself. Designing a child care facility is not merely an exercise in aesthetics; it’s akin to solving a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded—complex, frustrating, and endlessly challenging.

At Childcare Design, we’ve navigated these intricate puzzles countless times, watching projects either soar gracefully or stumble into budgetary quicksand. Today, let’s embark on a journey through the labyrinth of costs that can either make or break your child care center, and uncover the six most expensive pitfalls you need to sidestep.

1. Location: The High-Stakes Real Estate Game

Picture this: You’ve found the perfect spot for your child care center. It’s nestled in a charming neighborhood, close to parks and schools—a dream come true. But wait. As you dig deeper, you discover that this idyllic location sits within a state governed by a 50-page codebook that could rival “War and Peace” in complexity. Each state has its own set of regulations, and sometimes, they’re as contradictory as a parent’s bedtime story that never ends.

Take Sarah, an ambitious entrepreneur from Portland, who thought she’d struck gold with a beautiful old building. Only to have her dreams dashed by unexpected asbestos costs. It’s like preparing to bake a cake, only to find out you’re missing half the ingredients—and your neighbor just borrowed sugar.

The lesson? Location isn’t just about proximity and cost. It’s a strategic chess game where zoning laws, health codes, and safety regulations are your opponents. Ensuring your chosen spot meets all these criteria from the get-go can save you from costly redesigns and delays down the line.

2. Site Topography: Hillsides and Headaches

Now, imagine your perfect location is perched on a picturesque hillside. The view is stunning, but so are the challenges. Building on a slope transforms your project into an engineering marvel. Retaining walls become your new best friends, ADA-compliant paths are non-negotiable, and every classroom exit door must lead safely out of the building.

Think of Tom, who decided to build his center on a hilltop. Initially enchanted by the panoramic vistas, he soon found himself tangled in a web of permits and engineering demands. Retaining walls over six feet required specialized designs and additional fencing, pushing his budget into the stratosphere.

The moral? Flat land might not have the scenic allure, but it spares you from the topographical tango that can drain both time and money.

3. Playground: More Than Just Slides and Swings

Ah, the playground—the heart and soul of any child care center. It’s easy to assume that a playground is just about swings and slides, but in reality, it’s a regulatory minefield. State codes, federal accessibility laws, and safety standards all converge to ensure these play areas are both fun and safe.

Take the story of Emma, who envisioned a sprawling playground with every conceivable piece of equipment. Her enthusiasm was met with a barrage of regulations: specific fall zone cushioning, fencing requirements, and accessibility features that turned her dream into a logistical nightmare. What seemed like a simple addition quickly ballooned into a costly endeavor.

Designing a playground isn’t child’s play. It’s a delicate balance of creativity and compliance, where safety and fun must coexist seamlessly.

4. Accreditation: The Michelin Star of Child Care

Imagine accreditation as the Michelin Guide for child care centers. While state requirements are your basic entree, premium ratings like those from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) are the gourmet courses that set your center apart. However, these accolades come with their own set of stringent standards—sometimes stricter than state codes.

Consider Jake, who pursued NAEYC accreditation to distinguish his center. The process was rigorous, requiring meticulous attention to detail and adherence to higher standards. While it elevated his center’s reputation, it also demanded a significant investment of time and resources. Sometimes, these ratings are so exacting that they can paradoxically be less stringent than state requirements in certain areas, creating a confusing regulatory landscape.

The takeaway? Accreditation can be a powerful differentiator, but it requires careful consideration of the costs and benefits involved.

5. Finish Selections: Balancing Style and Practicality

Finish selections might seem like the fun part of designing a child care center—choosing colors, materials, and furnishings that create a welcoming environment. But here’s the twist: corporate design standards can either streamline this process or stifle creativity.

Meet Laura, an independent owner who thrived on creative freedom. She envisioned a vibrant, eclectic space that mirrored the diverse personalities of the children she served. However, this creativity came at a cost—longer design phases and higher fees as she navigated through endless options. On the flip side, corporate standards offer a pre-defined palette that’s quick and cost-effective but leaves little room for personalization.

The lesson? Whether you opt for corporate conformity or independent creativity, each choice impacts your budget and design timeline in significant ways.

6. Menu Planning: The Culinary Conundrum

Finally, let’s talk about the kitchen—the unsung hero of any child care center. How much food preparation you plan to do on-site can dramatically influence your kitchen’s complexity and cost. Decide to add a fryer, and you’re not just paying for a shiny new appliance. You’ll need a larger grease trap, a more robust electrical panel, and an advanced fire suppression system.

Think of Alex, who decided to offer a full-service kitchen with frying capabilities. What started as a simple upgrade quickly spiraled into a cascade of additional expenses. Each decision in the kitchen setup had ripple effects, turning what could have been a straightforward project into a financial avalanche.

The moral? Menu planning isn’t just about what’s on the plate. It’s a strategic decision that can either enhance your offerings or derail your budget.

Conclusion: The Puzzle of Child Care Design

Designing a child care center is like assembling a complex puzzle where each piece—location, topography, playground, accreditation, finishes, and kitchen planning—must fit perfectly to create a harmonious whole. One misstep, and the entire picture can become distorted, leading to skyrocketing costs and operational headaches.

At Childcare Design, we understand that “figuring it out” on your own is not just risky—it’s expensive. That’s why partnering with a licensed architect who specializes in child care design is crucial. Our team navigates the maze of federal, state, and local regulations with ease, ensuring your project stays on track and within budget.

So, as you embark on the journey to build your dream child care center, remember that each decision you make has the potential to impact the others. With the right guidance and expertise, you can transform your vision into a thriving, joyful space where children can laugh, learn, and grow.

Ready to turn your dream into reality? Contact us today and let’s start building a future filled with joy and learning.