Child Care Center at Hort Woods

The Child Care Center at Hort Woods opened in 2011 and serves up to 180 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old The center operates 7:30 am to 6 pm, Monday – Friday and is open all year. Unlike any other childcare center in the nation, the Child Care Center at Hort Woods was specifically designed to meet or exceed the highest level of sustainable building criteria, the USGBC’s LEED Platinum certification. The two-floor, 21,500 square-foot building features a brick, copper and painted aluminum exterior, and there are three natural, outdoor learning environments that were designed to accommodate the center’s varying age groups.

The first floor includes 5 classrooms for infants and toddlers, shared common spaces, a multi- purpose area, an atelier, a library, and outdoor patios. The second floor includes 5 classrooms for preschool children, family gathering areas, and library space. Hort Woods incorporates many sustainable features, such as natural ventilation, the use of recycled materials, composting in both the classroom and kitchen, and natural day lighting to help conserve energy. The building’s sustainable design intentionally focuses on educating the young children who attend the center about the importance of conserving natural resources. Hort Woods’ three playgrounds help young children get in touch with the natural environment. Features include a custom climber, pull-up bars, musical instruments, interactive water features, native plantings, and meandering pathways with special impact-absorbing surfacing material.

It is our belief that the education of young children should include innovative approaches to reconnecting children to nature through tangible links between sustainable design, curriculum, and children’s everyday experiences in nature.