UA-117135809-1

How to Choose the Right Child Care Center Floor Plans for Your Facility

by | Nov 28, 2017 | Child Care Building Design

The demand for child care is on the rise. In fact, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that it will be among the fastest growing industries through the year 2020.

If you’re looking to enter this industry and start your own child care center, you need to start with building a facility.

This can be an exciting, yet stressful, process. You need to design a facility that is not only highly functioning, but also that meets your needs and follows state laws.

We’re here to help. Keep reading to learn a few simple tips to choosing the perfect child care center floor plans for your new facility.

Start With a List of Needs

Before you can start considering child care center floor plans, you need to be clear about what your business’ needs are.

For instance, if your child care center cares for children of many ages, you’ll need separate spaces for each age group. If you care primarily for special needs children, you may need to account for extra space for wheelchairs and other assistance devices.

Starting with a list of needs that you must have can help make it easier to narrow down your options for child care center floor plans.

Check Legal Requirements

Different states have different requirements for what child care centers need and how they can be designed.

Before you can start laying out and designing your floor plans, you need to know the laws and requirements of your particular state.

Make a Budget

Once you’ve listed the elements that your floor plan needs and the requirements and laws in your state that might affect them, it’s time to set a budget.

Your budget for your child care facility will allow you to figure out where you can splurge and where you must save. It can affect the overall size of your facility, how many rooms you can have, and more.

Setting a budget before you start looking at potential child care center floor plans can help you avoid spending too much, or having to redesign your floor plan partway through a project.

Avoid Blind Spots and Other Dangers

When it comes to caring for many children at once, avoiding any possible dangers or bad situations is the key to success.

This starts with considering potential dangers while still planning a child care center for your facility.

When you’re reviewing a potential floor plan for your facility, consider any possible problems.

Are there blind spots in the room where it would be tough for a child care provider to watch? Will children in the care center ever have direct access to a door that leads out of the facility? Are areas that are off-limits to children, like kitchens or storage closets, properly separated from primary care areas?

Considering all possible dangers or problem areas can help you adjust your floor plans and avoid these issues.

Plan for Future Growth

Adding a child care center to your facility is a big investment. You’ll put a lot of time and money into planning and  building your facility. The last thing you want to do is outgrow it soon after it is complete.

Planning for a larger number of children than you currently care for or expect to care for can help keep your space adequate for years to come.

Choosing the Right Child Care Center Floor Plans

Choosing the right floor plans for a child care center in your facility doesn’t have to be a challenge.

By following these easy guidelines, you’ll be able to choose a floor plan that functions perfectly for your center and provides you with years of functionality.

If you’re ready to start planning your child care center, check out our studio to see how we can help you create a design that fits all of your wants and needs.

-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.

Blueprint to Bliss: Essential Steps for Designing Your Dream Child Care Center

Imagine you’re about to open your dream child care center—a place where tiny shoes pile up by the door, laughter echoes through the halls, and every corner is a space for learning and growth. But before any of that magic happens, you need to start with a building. And not just any building—it has to function like a well-oiled machine, meet all your needs, and, of course, follow the labyrinth of state regulations. It’s a process filled with both excitement and stress, where one wrong decision can set you back weeks, if not months. So, where do you start?

The first step in designing a child care facility is to get clear about your needs. Think of it like packing for a long trip—you wouldn’t leave without knowing what essentials you need. If you’re caring for multiple age groups, you’ll want separate rooms for toddlers, infants, and preschoolers. If you specialize in children with special needs, extra space for wheelchairs or assistive devices might be a must. Listing out these essentials will save you from wasting time on floor plans that simply won’t work.

But before your mind runs wild with design ideas, here’s the catch—every state has its own legal requirements for child care centers. It’s like playing a game where the rules change based on your location. One state might demand wider corridors; another might be strict about emergency exits or playground space. And just when you think you’ve nailed it, a new regulation pops up. Knowing these requirements upfront is essential, so you don’t find yourself in a costly game of redesign halfway through construction.

Next up is the budget. If your dreams were your guide, you’d be building a sprawling campus with every bell and whistle. But reality—meaning your budget—has a way of keeping things grounded. Your budget dictates everything from the size of the facility to the number of classrooms. Planning early allows you to decide where to splurge and where to save. No one likes cutting corners, but knowing when to cut or invest is part of the balancing act that makes a project like this possible.

Safety, of course, is non-negotiable. As you review potential floor plans, think like a detective. Are there any blind spots where children might be out of sight? Can a child wander too close to an exit door, or worse, make a quick escape? Are off-limits areas, like kitchens and storage rooms, safely separated from the play areas? Thinking through these issues early will save you from headaches—and potential accidents—later.

Lastly, think big, not just for today, but for tomorrow. You’ve put your heart and soul into this center, so the last thing you want is to outgrow it in just a few years. Plan for future growth—more children, more activities, more joy. Building a facility that fits your needs today but can expand tomorrow is one of the smartest investments you can make.

Designing a child care center isn’t just about meeting regulations or choosing cute furniture—it’s about creating a space that works for everyone, from toddlers to teachers. And if all of this sounds overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be. With the right plan and the right team, your child care center can be the thriving, joyful place you’ve always envisioned. So, if you’re ready to start, we’re here to help you bring that vision to life.

Playground Shade Structures: Keys for Creating Great Covered Spaces for Childcare Centers

Enhance your childcare playground with shade structures for safety and comfort. Learn key types and materials, and create protected spaces for children to play outdoors.

The Basics of Budgeting for Starting a Child Care Center

Children are such a joy to be around. They're curious, kind beings with a wild imagination and huge hearts. Who wouldn't love working with them every day? These are a few reasons why many people think about starting a child care center. Unfortunately, not...

Enhancing Playground Restroom Access for Childcare Centers

Explore the vital role of accessible playground restrooms in childcare centers. Enhance child safety, health, and staff convenience with improved facilities.

How To Choose The Right Architect For Your Childcare Building Design

Discover how to select the right architect for your childcare building project, focusing on understanding their role, assessing qualifications, experience, communication style & more.

Creating exceptional childcare facilities for every precious child.

Learn about the importance of exceptional childcare facilities that cater to every child’s unique needs. Discover how our experienced team designs safe, secure, and engaging spaces to provide the best care and early childhood education. Together, let’s bring your childcare visions to life!

Things To Keep In Mind When Moving Into A New Childcare Building

Moving into a new childcare building? Explore key considerations like safety, location, age-appropriate rooms, regulation compliance & more in our detailed guide.

What Kids Need in a Childcare Building

Creating a daycare that truly serves children isn’t about splurging on designer décor or the latest high-tech gadgets. It’s about understanding what kids really need—and the good news is, it’s simpler than you might think. At the core, children need the same things we...

Coloring Outside the Lines: How Building Design Affects Learning

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,...

How To Choose The Best Commercial Building Design For Your Childcare Business

Discover how to choose the best commercial building design for your childcare business. Learn about aesthetic appeal, functionality, safety needs and more in our guide.

Choosing Your Perfect Child Care Center Interior Design

Child care center interior design is often an afterthought when preparing a new center. When we think of child care centers, we think of kids running on a playground, or playing with toys in a carpeted room.But rarely, if at all, do we stop to consider the importance...

How Childcare Buildings Benefit The Community

Explore how childcare buildings contribute significantly to community development, economy stimulation, social-emotional growth and more. Discover these unseen benefits today!

Introduce yourself! How can we help you?

13 + 1 =

In the know...
Join our monthly Newsletter to receive the first chapter of our newly published book, "Building Your Daycare: Design and Construction Secrets You Wish You Knew".
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Name
daycare building construction

Check out our new book!

With over 35 years of experience, Rebecca leads the way at Childcare Design (formerly Calbert Design Group), where she excels in navigating the intricate world of commercial real estate development.  Her passion lies in guiding clients through these complexities with ease and expertise.

    

Discover more of her valuable insights and resources at SaveOnBuilding.com, where Rebecca is committed to empowering small business owners with the insights they need to avoid costly pitfalls and make informed decisions.

The Basics of Budgeting for Starting a Child Care Center

Children are such a joy to be around. They're curious, kind beings with a wild imagination and huge hearts. Who wouldn't love working with them every day? These are a few reasons why many people think about starting a child care center. Unfortunately, not...

How Childcare Buildings Benefit The Community

Explore how childcare buildings contribute significantly to community development, economy stimulation, social-emotional growth and more. Discover these unseen benefits today!

How To Choose The Right Architect For Your Childcare Building Design

Discover how to select the right architect for your childcare building project, focusing on understanding their role, assessing qualifications, experience, communication style & more.

Enhancing Playground Restroom Access for Childcare Centers

Explore the vital role of accessible playground restrooms in childcare centers. Enhance child safety, health, and staff convenience with improved facilities.

Creating exceptional childcare facilities for every precious child.

Learn about the importance of exceptional childcare facilities that cater to every child’s unique needs. Discover how our experienced team designs safe, secure, and engaging spaces to provide the best care and early childhood education. Together, let’s bring your childcare visions to life!

What Kids Need in a Childcare Building

Creating a daycare that truly serves children isn’t about splurging on designer décor or the latest high-tech gadgets. It’s about understanding what kids really need—and the good news is, it’s simpler than you might think. At the core, children need the same things we...

Things To Keep In Mind When Moving Into A New Childcare Building

Moving into a new childcare building? Explore key considerations like safety, location, age-appropriate rooms, regulation compliance & more in our detailed guide.

How To Choose The Best Commercial Building Design For Your Childcare Business

Discover how to choose the best commercial building design for your childcare business. Learn about aesthetic appeal, functionality, safety needs and more in our guide.

Choosing Your Perfect Child Care Center Interior Design

Child care center interior design is often an afterthought when preparing a new center. When we think of child care centers, we think of kids running on a playground, or playing with toys in a carpeted room.But rarely, if at all, do we stop to consider the importance...

Coloring Outside the Lines: How Building Design Affects Learning

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,...
Home     About     Contact     BLOG     Privacy
2950 Cherokee St NW, Suite 600

Kennesaw, GA 30144

Rebecca@ChildcareDesign.com

404.689.5001