Facilities is the unit within the Early Childhood Education Division responsible for overseeing the construction of all new early education centers, the maintenance, repair and expansion of existing centers and continuous enhancement of the existing built environment to promote and encourage learning.
Mission
ECED Facilities is committed to the creation, maintenance and expansion of welcoming, safe and nurturing early education centers, which will enhance the emotional, physical, social and academic development of all its children.
Projects
Thanks to Measure Y and Q bond funds the Early Childhood Education Division of the Los Angeles Unified School District has embarked on an ambitious program of repairs, renovations and enhancements of the built environment at existing centers. Typical projects include addition of new playground equipment, paving, roofing and the addition of drinking fountains.
Among the most exciting and innovative concepts currently being implemented at the early education centers is the “Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom”. The “Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom” will provide hands-on experience for children to acquire a deep intuitive understanding of the natural world. Each one will be unique in size, setting and structure and will be incorporated into existing playground areas. Typically each “Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom” includes an entry feature, open area for large-motor activities, a climbing/crawling area, a “messy materials” area, a building area, a nature art area, a music and movement area, a garden and/or a pathway through planting area, a gathering area, and a storage area.
Over the past four years, the Early Childhood Education Division (ECED) has worked closely with the Arbor Day Foundation, the Dimensions Educational Research Foundation and Nature Explore, all non-profit organizations, to evaluate the benefits of implementing such a program at LAUSD.
Currently the “Nature Explore Outdoor Classroom” concept has been implemented at 3 LAUSD early education centers: Brooklyn EEC, 4th Street EEC and Glassell Park EEC. Based on the success of these 3 programs, ECED facilities has received Board approval to fund the design and construction of 8 more such classrooms at Canoga Park, Arminta, Escalante, Marina, Wanda Mikes, Trinity, , 66th Street and Gardena Early education centers. These eight school sites, were identified in consultation with local districts and school site administrators. Questionnaires were sent out to each early education center and based on responses received and the final score, these school sites were selected.
Construction of these eight Nature Explore Classrooms will allow the District to convert a large part of existing asphalt and playground area into dynamic nature-based play and learning spaces. These classrooms will enhance the physical environment and add natural beauty to the play areas. Children and their parents will be able to connect with the natural world as a regular part of their healthy growth and development in the areas that lack parks and green environments.
Past experience has demonstrated that children benefit most from these programs when the parents, administrators and center staff have received adequate training and support on the optimal use of Nature Explore Classrooms. In order to maximize the potential benefits and ensure the success of the instructional program that will be made possible with the completion of these proposed projects, ECED in conjunction with the above listed non-profit organizations, will offer training on the use and maintenance of these Nature Explore Classrooms. It is anticipated that construction of these 8 projects will be completed by September 2015.
