illage of five cottages – for the infant, toddler, preschool community day care program, as well as college training for adult students and family support services.

 

In designing this center, Dave orchestrated a seamless integration of child-friendly and staff-friendly features.

 

Full of alcoves, window seats, porches, dutch doors, dozens of child-scale features, easy-to-use staff work areas and other layouts at a sensible, residential scale.

 

The staff’s goal is to provide a home atmosphere for the children. That included attention to the sounds, smells (like fresh made food aromas wafting from the many mini-kitchens safely behind half doors) as well as a host of familiar residential design features.

 

Easy cleanup - with linoleum flooring turned up at walls for seamless bases, clear special washable wall coating up four ft., easily-hosed decks, etc.

 

Outdoor areas were planned together with indoor areas.
Overall there is a feeling of friendliness and fun.

 

This is one of the finest child centers in America. It’s a special place that fulfills the teachers’ vision of children growing in "the life of the rural foothills.”