Children’s Day Launches “Building on Excellence” Renovation Project
Children’s Day Launches a Historic Renovation Project in June 2018
Our 110-year old school building gets a once-in-a-lifetime face lift!
In 1907, the founding women of Children’s Day raised the funds to construct our home on the corner of Jefferson Street and Columbia Avenue. Our history and the quality of our program today is the result of decades of investment in children, their education, their health and the strength of their families. “Building on Excellence” is the start of the next exciting chapter for Children’s Day. Our goal is to move into our second century with a strong capable organization in a first-rate school building.
All floors are being replaced - here we see the front stairs and hallway after the old flooring has been removed.
The expanded second floor is framed above our existing building.
Evaluating Needs - Planning for the Future
Our team took the time to fully evaluate the existing structure, the building’s needs as well as the needs of the teachers, leaders, and therapeutic staff. It was decided that each classroom will be stripped of layers of paint, flooring, and periodic refurbishing to create a warm, clean and unified space conducive to learning and play. Enhanced security design and features will add to parents’ peace of mind as they leave their children in our care. An elevator, ramps and an improved emergency exit system will make our school a safe home for all children. The raising of the second floor will allow us to develop two new therapy rooms, an indoor play space, and more office and space to meet with parents and families.
It is so exciting to watch our 19th century school building transform into a 21st century learning center! With the generous help of two New Jersey based Foundations focused on Early Childhood, our renovation project launched in June of 2018. As the last child walked out of the building for the school year, the construction crew entered- ready to begin the transformation! We have been fortunate to work with two professional and wonderful companies- DIGroup Architecture, who re-designed our space to better suit our needs; and Donnelly Construction, our general contractors who have been so expertly overseeing the renovation.
Donnelly Construction Features Our Project on Website
Donnelly has highlighted their work at Children’s Day on their web site. See more photos of our progress at www.donnellyconstruction.com/news/childrens-day-nursery/.