Did you know a building layout can affect student performance by up to 25 percent?

If you think architects don’t consider building layout when they design, think again. And if you consider brick and mortar to be inconsequential in not only learning, but also in mood, teacher productivity, and concentration, you’re in for a big surprise.

Want to know more?

Here, you’ll find a discussion of the basic designs that can really transform your child care center into an escape every little one will love.

What Building Layout Designs to Consider

There are several designs to consider that may enhance learning, including lighting, color, and acoustics.

Lighting

Natural light increases cognizant awareness.

Our bodies are hardwired to react differently to night than to day. As a result, when more natural light is permitted to enter a care center, the children will have heightened senses and concentration.

If you don’t believe us, just think about how many times you’ve fallen asleep in a dimly lit room watching television. However, that doesn’t mean that just any old light will do. Studies show that different colored lighting has different effects.

For instance, blue is ideal for learning. As a result, utilizing designs with large windows and considering 6500 K lighting (which is a bluish white) may be a good idea.

Color

Roses are red, violets are blue and learning is . . . well, red, blue and green.

It depends what tasks are being undertaken.

Studies indicate that red, while able to create a desire to avoid tasks, can also stimulate performance on detailed-focus work. Blue is excellent for promoting creativity and green encourages self-reflection.

Therefore, painting a library green and blue would be an excellent way to create a calm atmosphere that fosters imagination and critical reading.

Separating your child care center into zones, then, is optimal for different activities. Match the activity type to the color to optimize learning and promote a healthier environment.

For more information on BUILDING YOUR DAYCARE

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Acoustics

We all know if something raucous is occurring in the next room and the noises are infiltrating through the walls, it’s nearly impossible to gain a child’s attention. Part of the reason for this is that children are more sensitive to listening conditions than adults.

In fact, in a study conducted on over 300 children, it was found that students in classrooms with poor acoustics suffered impaired processing after reading and had more negative perceptions about their teacher and peers than those in rooms with better acoustics.

By designing the building layout so that the teacher’s voice is amplified and outside sounds are reduced, students will learn better. Sound control windows and doors, acoustical ceiling tiles and soft surfaces can be implemented to create high quality acoustics.

Design Really Matters

There are many other factors to consider when creating the layout for a child care center. Architectures should also contemplate circulation, individuality and spacial arrangements.

In 2007, the Department of Education found that 43 percent of schools had buildings that interfered with instruction in 2005. This is a real issue affecting facilities and care centers today.

In order to be effective, child care centers must provide a safe, educational and fun environment for children. Part of that process includes closely examining building layout.

If you’re beginning your own journey into child care, take a look at our post about choosing floor plans for your facility. It will help you make lists, prepare and choose the plan that’s right for learning.

-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: Unveiling the Six Pricey Puzzle Pieces

Imagine walking into a classroom where the sunlight streams through large windows, casting a warm glow over eager young faces. The children are focused, their imaginations are alive, and the teacher seems more engaged than ever. This isn’t some educational utopia—it’s the subtle magic of design at work. What if I told you that something as simple as the layout of a building could boost student performance by up to 25 percent? It sounds unbelievable, but the evidence is clear: the way we design a space impacts everything from concentration to mood, even teacher productivity.

Let’s dig deeper. If you think architects are just focused on brick and mortar, think again. The best ones are deeply invested in how their designs affect the way we live, work, and yes, learn. Especially when it comes to childcare centers, where design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about creating environments that fuel growth, learning, and creativity. The choices you make in layout, lighting, color, and acoustics can transform an ordinary childcare center into a place where children thrive.

1. Let There Be Light—Natural, That Is

There’s a reason why classrooms with big windows always feel more inviting. Natural light doesn’t just brighten a room—it boosts our brains. Our bodies are hardwired to respond to sunlight; it sharpens our focus, enhances mood, and even improves concentration. Think about it: how many times have you found yourself dozing off in a dimly lit room? Now imagine children in those conditions. No wonder they struggle to stay focused.

Studies show that natural light increases cognitive awareness, making it an absolute must for learning environments. And if natural light is hard to come by? Artificial lighting can step in, but not just any lighting. 6500K lighting, which mimics daylight with its bluish-white glow, has been found to improve alertness and learning. So, design your space with large windows in mind, and where that’s not possible, go for lighting that keeps minds sharp.

2. Color Me Focused

Remember the colors of your childhood classrooms? There’s a reason why schools love primary colors—they have a psychological impact. But the trick isn’t just picking your favorite paint; it’s about understanding how color influences behavior and performance.

For instance, red can stimulate focus on detail-oriented tasks but can also induce anxiety if overused. On the other hand, blue promotes creativity, and green encourages calm and self-reflection. Want to foster creativity in a reading corner? Paint it blue or green. Need kids to buckle down on some detailed work? A pop of red might be just the thing. The goal is to use color not just to make a space look good, but to craft different zones for different activities. A childcare center designed with color psychology in mind becomes more than just a daycare—it’s a multi-sensory learning environment.

3. Acoustics: Sound Advice

We’ve all been in a noisy room where it’s impossible to focus, but did you know that children are more sensitive to sound than adults? Poor acoustics can sabotage a child’s ability to concentrate, process information, and even affect their relationships with teachers and peers.

In a study of over 300 students, classrooms with poor acoustics led to impaired reading comprehension and negative perceptions of their learning environment. But when the layout of a building is designed with sound in mind—by reducing outside noise and amplifying the teacher’s voice—students are more engaged. Soundproofing isn’t just for recording studios; it’s a game-changer in educational spaces. Using soft surfaces, acoustical ceiling tiles, and sound-dampening windows and doors can drastically improve a child’s learning experience.

Design Shapes Minds

It’s easy to think of design as something secondary—after all, aren’t books, teachers, and curriculum the most important parts of education? Yes, but what if the environment is the secret ingredient that brings it all together? In 2007, the Department of Education found that 43 percent of schools had buildings that actively interfered with learning. Poor design doesn’t just inconvenience students and teachers; it limits potential.

When you’re designing a childcare center, it’s not just about safety regulations or squeezing in as many cubbies as possible. It’s about creating a space that’s safe, yes, but also engaging, comforting, and conducive to growth. Everything from the flow of the layout to the choice of materials affects the energy of the room, the mood of the children, and even how teachers interact with their students.

Want to get it right? Start by thinking about the purpose of each space, the way children will move through it, and how the environment will impact their daily experience. Whether it’s a cozy reading nook bathed in natural light or a wide-open play area with the right acoustics, design can—and should—shape how children learn and feel in your center.

Conclusion

So the next time you walk into a classroom, daycare, or even your own home, look around and think about the design. Are the walls helping or hindering concentration? Is the light boosting energy or dulling it? Does the color make the room come alive?

Design is more than just visual appeal—it’s a powerful tool that can shape how we think, feel, and learn. And when it comes to children, designing with intention can unlock doors to creativity, focus, and joy. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just a building—it’s a space where little minds will grow, and that’s where the magic happens.