St. Charles Early Childhood Center

St. Charles, Missouri

Firm

Dickinson Hussman Architects

Client

City of St. Charles School District

Area

49,230 sq.ft.

Total Cost

$12,919,347

Completion Date

07/2018

Debbie Franke Photography

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Design Team: Dwight Dickinson, AIA – Principal; Donald Hussman, AIA – Principal; Stan Hampton, AIA – Project Manager; James Schurk – Project Designer; Pamela Rodebaugh – Interior Designer; The Clayton Engineering Co., Inc. (Civil); Alper Audi, Inc. (Structural); McClure Engineering (MEP)

Understanding that early childhood students need a type of learning environment different from their elementary school peers, the City of St. Charles School District established criteria for their new facility that was based on sensory learning, movement, imagination, and nature. The new facility responds to these requirements with specialty instructional areas that accommodate both typically developing and special needs students ranging from 3 to 5 years old. In order to cover the full spectrum of early childhood development, three classrooms were specifically designed (for future use) to accommodate infants 6 months and older.

Instructional areas unique to the St. Charles Early Education Center include a children’s library, a gross motor room that is themed around the community’s historic downtown, a specialized art and music studio, and a culinary arts classroom where students can receive interactive instruction in food preparation. All classrooms have access to a dedicated student restroom and changing area, a storage room for supplies and large classroom manipulatives, and a combined workspace for the primary instructor and a supporting paraprofessional educator.