coombes : everitt Your Sector Building Foundations: How Architecture Shapes Early Years Education
Building Foundations: How Architecture Shapes Early Years Education
From the layout of classrooms to the materials used, the design of educational spaces can profoundly influence how young children learn, grow, and thrive.
Mike Court, Associate Director of coombes everitt architects has over 20 years experience working in the Education sector. He is passionate about thoughtful architectural design and the role it can play in enhancing early years education; shaping environments that nurture creativity, support emotional development, and inspire a love of learning.
Spaces that Spark Curiosity
Our clients often refer to the physical environment as the “third teacher,” complementing the guidance of teachers and the dynamics of peer interaction. For young children, whose understanding of the world is built through play and exploration, this principle takes on heightened importance.
We believe that great architecture doesn’t just house education; it transforms it. Bright, airy spaces flooded with natural light are not just visually pleasing but stimulate curiosity and engagement. Flexible layouts encourage diverse activities, from solitary discovery to collaborative play. Materials with rich textures and inviting colours transform rooms into sensory wonderlands, fostering creativity and focus.
Incorporating design elements like greenery, natural materials, and views of the outdoors not only calm young minds but also cultivate a connection with nature, fostering early environmental stewardship while supporting cognitive and emotional well-being.
Spaces that Nurture Personal and Social Development
But it’s not just about academic learning. We know how important emotional and social growth is for Early Years Education. For many children, entering an early years education setting marks their first experience away from home, making it vital for these spaces to feel welcoming and safe.
Soft furnishings, warm colours, and cosy nooks can offer a homely touch, while quiet zones create a refuge for children who might feel overwhelmed. Design must consider and accommodate an increasingly diverse range of needs to ensure inclusivity for all learners.
Equally important are spaces that promote interaction and community. Circular seating arrangements, shared play areas, and open classrooms encourage collaboration and help children develop critical social skills like empathy and teamwork. Outdoor environments are also important —playgrounds, gardens, or sensory trails—extend these opportunities, offering unstructured play that is essential for building relationships and resilience.
Seamlessly Aligning Design with Compliance
Safety is paramount in any Early Years setting. A safe nursery builds trust with parents and provides children with a secure place to explore their world. However the long list of regulations that are important for providing governance can lead to some frustrating limitations.
At coombes everitt, we value the inputs of all stakeholders from the outset. Consulting educators, parents, and even children early in the design process allows us to take a holistic view and consider all aspects of the design, from both adult and child perspectives, against a backdrop of regulatory considerations. In our experience, we find that this results in spaces that truly reflect the needs of their users, fostering a sense of ownership and belonging.
Good design finds creative solutions and can help avoid common mistakes such as excessive doors for safeguarding or fire considerations which interrupt clear lines of sight and limit the opportunities for free flowing play.
Designing for the Future
Sustainable design not only aligns with many parents values, it also offers the opportunity to reduce on-going operational costs thereby supporting the longer term economic viability of an Early Years setting.
This is more than simply installing LED’s and solar panels. The greatest benefits can be achieved through utilising passivehaus design principals to deliver better insulation and airtightness supported by ventilation systems that retain 98% of internal heat. Not only does this significantly reduce the on-going running costs, it supports a healthy air environment, free from pollen and other toxins.
Creative flair and thoughtful design doesn’t have to cost more – in fact it can often deliver more cost efficient solutions. And consideration of future needs at the early stages of design. ensures that an Early Years setting delivers for now and for the future.