Planning and The Overall Process

• “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” - Benjamin Franklin.
• Involve a team of teachers, parents and even children in the design process.
• Make sure that your architect and designer have a comprehensive knowledge of preschoolers and children.
• Be aware of state and local fire codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act standards for children (ADA standards are different for children than for adults).
• Find churches and schools in your area who built in the last few years and ask them what they liked, what they disliked and what they would do differently. Tour other campuses, ask lots of questions and take lots of pictures!
• Allow enough time for the design process.
• Know your must-haves (“needs”) and what’s optional (“wants”). Be open to compromise but know what elements are necessary to make a great learning environment.
• Involve your community with events like a ground breaking, a building dedication, a grand opening or an open house.
• Understand that special events like Fall Festivals or Vacation Bible School may need to be modified or canceled due to construction.
• Be aware that changes made during construction (“change orders”) may delay completion and incur additional costs. Some modifications can be extremely costly.
• Expect the unexpected!