Test Category — Environmental Works

Early Childhood Education

Engaging spaces, Informed Design, Thoughtful collaboration

COMMUNITY DESIGN | EARLY LEARNING ARCHITECTURE | PROJECT FEASIBILITY | CHILDCARE RENOVATION

Environmental Works is a mission-driven organization that understands the unparalleled value of a quality, culturally significant childcare experience to developing young minds, and that affordability and accessibility continue to be a barrier blocking underrepresented communities from accessing this critical resource. Our organization understands that it is a shared responsibility to support early learning in our communities and has supported that critical need through our childcare facility design expertise. For over 25 years, EW has partnered with clients to design & complete more than 45 childcare centers throughout the Pacific Northwest. We have a thorough knowledge of the varied approaches and guiding philosophies for providing childcare environments that support, honor, and celebrate every child's critical, early formative years and that attentively respond to teacher’s needs, allowing them to focus on the children, teaching and early care.

We have a strong working knowledge of the Head Start Design Guides, Washington Administrative Code licensing regulations governing childcare centers as well as the National Association for the Education of Young Children guidelines for best practices, and in 2002, EW was hired by the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development to write a child care facility planning manual for architects, developers and childcare business owners on best practices for planning and developing child care facilities in Washington State.

Our team of talented architects and designers approach each unique project with a spirit of mutual education, respect, and enjoyment. We encourage all members of the project team to be active participants in the design development process and have additional experience in welcoming the inclusion of children in hands-on design sessions.