ECE Elevate(R)
Pedagogy-Driven Strategies for Facility Design and Quality Improvement: A Community of Learners Workshop Series
Prepared for: Dayton & Montgomery County Preschool Promise
(our) Spaces of Childhood
Memorable Space: My Bedroom. Being the youngest of five, I enjoyed being around love and family.
My childhood special places were many. Our entire house was a giant wonder. We turned a two family, double house into a grand 6 bedroom paradise. My siblings and cousins spent most of our time playing school and house. Creating talent shows and putting on productions. My space made me feel extraordinary because we had a house that was unlike any other house. I felt safe and loved and most of all I felt at home.
I remember loving to read on my bed or on the floor, laying on my stomach. I had no particular place, it just had to be quiet, on something soft and by myself.
The wood down the road. The dogs and I would go out exploring, walk along the path, Dog would be in front. There was a big log – I would climb it, pretend I was on a tight rope. So many tall trees, I would imagine they were giants.
How these special spaces of childhood made you feel: safe, loved, peaceful, adventurous, courageous, empowered, creative, messy (freedom to get dirty).
The Process
OUR GOAL
Improve child care facilities so that all children have access to high-quality learning environments that promote kindergarten readiness.
HOW WE DO IT
A series of professional learning sessions that will engage coaches, directors, and teachers in a Community of Learners (CoL) to explore the role of the physical environment in learning and development, discuss facility improvements, and create a master plan for short-, mid-, and long-term program development.
OVERVIEW
Participants will…
- Engage in a Cohort/Community of Learners (CoL) to build a network of shared learning and support across programs.
- Consider the role and impact of the physical environment on learning/development and how the environment reflects programmatic vision and values.
- Be equipped with planning tools for business, financial, and facilities management to strengthen and elevate all aspects of the program.
- Develop a master plan for facility improvement that accounts for short and long-term needs and goals.
Round 1 Workshops
There are six workshop sessions included in the first phase of this process. Results, pictures, homework assignments and more will be posted here after the completion of each session. Click the icons to view the corresponding workshop materials. Check back here regularly for updates!
Workshop 1
August 9, 2022 – Building Relationships & Developing a Shared Vision
Read the article “Environments that Speak to Children” prior to Session 1:
View the presentation slides from Workshop 1:
Complete the Workshop 1 homework assignment:
View the “Workshop Design Principles” that resulted from Workshop 1:
Workshops 3 & 4
September 13, 2022 – Setting the Foundation | The Language of Finance
September 20, 2022 – Connecting to Community Resources
Round 2 Workshops
There are three workshop sessions included in the second phase of this process. Results and pictures will be posted here after the completion of each session. Click the icons to view the corresponding workshop materials. Check back here regularly for updates!
Partnership
The team behind the scenes includes a collaboration between SHP and the Arlitt Child Development Center.
Have a design, architecture or engineering need? Want to join SHP as a partner or employee? Drop us a line and let us know how we can best help you.