Creating inspiring learning environments for young children is both an art and a science. This Toolkit bridges the gap between early learning professionals and design professionals, building shared knowledge and providing practical guidance to help develop facilities that truly serve children, families, and communities across New Orleans. It is intended to provide inspiration, helpful tips, resources, and research-based recommendations for both center-based child care facilities and home-based child care, supporting early learning providers and designers as they work together. Whether starting with a small renovation or building a new building, this Toolkit will be a trusted roadmap for the journey.

This Toolkit is unique in that it provides:

• Research-backed design principles explained in accessible language

• Real stories and case studies from successful educator-designer collaborations

• Practical implementation guidance for each phase of development

• Visual references and planning tools

The Toolkit is a collaboration with Agenda for Children, The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA), and PAR Researchers, a group of community based early learning providers. It moves beyond minimum compliance requirements to focus on design principles that support optimal outcomes for children, educators, families, and programs.