East Side Union High School District’s Child Development Program ambitiously offers year-round subsidized childcare for the children of faculty, students, and the community. But it was becoming increasingly difficult to provide high-quality services at the existing outdated childcare facility at James Lick High School. The district wanted a new facility at the edge of the existing high school campus, but one that had it’s own identity and was separated from the functions of the high school.
CAW oriented the new building to have a public entrance onto a major street and away from the high school campus. Play areas were located behind the building and away from the busy street. Interior learning and play spaces were organized to be open to the outdoor play areas, and large doors allow space to flow freely from inside to outside while providing a protective and insulated environment for the children. This new state-of-the-art, state-licensed, childcare facility can accommodate up to forty children.
