Project Overview
Start Early, in partnership with Zion Elementary School District 6 and local philanthropic partners, is expanding their program by building Educare Lake County, a new, state-of-the-art early learning center in Zion, IL. This project represents a significant investment in early childhood education and reflects a shared commitment to expanding access to high-quality learning environments for families across northern Lake County.
Key Takeaways
- The new 38,000-square-foot, one-story facility will serve children from six weeks to five years old through a full-day, year-round program.
- The facility will support a range of developmental stages, with 15 classrooms—including nine infant/toddler rooms and six preschool classrooms—designed to foster growth, curiosity, and social-emotional development.
- In addition to core learning environments, the facility will include indoor and outdoor play areas, a learning garden, and flexible community spaces that support both structured programming and informal gathering.
- The building was designed with extensive input from families and community stakeholders.
- The project officially broke ground in February 2026, with an anticipated opening for the 2027-2028 school year.
- Delivery Method
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Construction Manager at Risk
- Additional Project Facts
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38,000 Square Feet
Completion Date: Spring 2027
Thoughtfully Integrated Design
The design of the building reflects both its context and its purpose. The exterior will be constructed of precast concrete panels stained in a vibrant gradation from red to yellow, echoing the brick tones of two neighboring middle schools and creating a cohesive campus identity. Native plantings will frame the school’s entrance, while a dedicated learning garden on the north side of the site will provide hands-on opportunities for children to engage with nature. Outdoor play areas are intentionally integrated with the building to extend learning beyond the classroom and encourage active exploration. Inside, the design prioritizes natural daylight, clear sightlines, and age-appropriate scale to support supervision, safety, and an engaging learning environment.
A Focus on Long-Term Impact
Educare Lake County is designed to serve as a community anchor and a model for high-quality early learning. By expanding access to early education, the project positions itself as a catalyst for long-term educational success, economic mobility, and community resilience.
