Your Trusted Partner in Early Childhood Education Construction
At Van Brunt & Company, we understand that building an Early Childhood Education facility is more than a construction project. It’s a balance of inspiring design and unforgiving technical requirements. While your goal is to create a safe environment where young minds grow, the reality is that one missed code requirement or delayed inspection can cost you an entire school year of tuition revenue. The success of your school begins at groundbreaking, but your financial certainty depends on a builder who understands the stakes.
With a proven track record in ground-up construction, we bring deep expertise to the unique challenges of Early Education:
- Licensing & Compliance: We navigate complex state codes and safety protocols so you pass inspections the first time, not the third.
- Immovable Deadlines: We know that opening late isn’t an option. Our schedule is built around your enrollment dates, not our convenience.
- Safety-First Design: From secure entry vestibules to finger-safe doors and playground grading, we sweat the small details that keep children safe and operators compliant.
From classrooms to outdoor learning environments, we build with safety, functionality, and long-term durability in mind. Let’s build a space where the next generation can thrive and your business can succeed from Day One.
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What Makes Us Different
Problem Solvers
- 24/7 camera access provided by VBC
- Over 75 years of combined commercial construction experience
Daily Reports
- Our daily reports allow us to get ahead of potential roadblocks ensuring quick resolutions
Technology
- Core Value is leveraging technology
- Unified office and field communication
- Camera access
- Daily reports
- Travel less and check in more
Why Choose Van Brunt & Company for Early Childhood Education Construction?
1. Approved Builders for Leading ECE Brands
Van Brunt & Company is an approved general contractor for Goddard Schools and Lightbridge Academy, two of the most recognized names in Early Childhood Education. This means we understand the brand standards, design requirements, and compliance expectations these franchises demand. Whether you are building a new franchise location or an independent school, you get a builder who already knows the product.
2. Licensing and Code Compliance Expertise
Early Education facilities operate under some of the most rigorous state licensing codes in commercial construction. From child-to-square-footage ratios to playground safety grades, ADA requirements, and fire egress standards, our team knows what inspectors are looking for before they walk through the door. We build compliance in from Day One so your licensing process moves forward without costly delays or re-inspections.
3. A Schedule Built Around Your Enrollment Dates
In Early Education, your opening date is not flexible. Parents have enrolled, tuition is owed, and your business model depends on being open on time. At Van Brunt & Company, we build our project schedule backwards from your target enrollment date and manage every phase accordingly. Procurement starts at contract signing, city meetings are proactive, and potential delays are identified and resolved before they become your problem.
4. Safety-First Construction at Every Phase
Safety is not a checklist. It is a culture. From secure entry vestibules and finger-safe hardware to proper outdoor grading and compliant playground surfacing, every decision our team makes is filtered through the lens of child safety. Our job sites are managed with the same care we bring to the facilities we build, because we believe the standards inside the building should be reflected in how we build it.
5. A Trusted Partner, Not Just a Contractor
At Van Brunt & Company, we believe in building beyond the contracted scope of work. We are a family-owned, faith-based company with over 20 years of commercial construction experience and a team culture built on relationships, transparency, and removing chaos. When you partner with VBC, you get direct access to leadership, daily visibility into your project, and a team that is invested in your long-term success.
Our Early Childhood Education Construction Process
1. Project Initiation and Planning
- Client Consultation: Understanding your program model, enrollment goals, and site vision
- Site Analysis: Evaluating the location for zoning, licensing feasibility, and ECE-specific code requirements
- Budgeting and Scheduling: Establishing the project budget, enrollment-driven milestones, and procurement timelines
- Design Development: Collaborating with architects on classroom layouts, outdoor learning environments, and safety-first design
2. Licensing and Compliance Review
- State Licensing Pre-Check: Reviewing applicable state childcare licensing codes prior to design finalization
- Franchise Standards Review: For Goddard Schools, Lightbridge Academy, and other approved brands, aligning construction documents to brand specifications
- ADA and Life Safety Review: Ensuring all egress, accessibility, and safety features are designed in before permits are pulled
3. Permitting and Approvals
- Permit Submission: Managing the full permit application process with local municipalities
- City and State Agency Coordination: Proactive communication to avoid inspection delays
- Construction Document Review: Ensuring all documents are complete and code-compliant before breaking ground
4. Pre-Construction Phase
- Subcontractor Agreements: Locking in trusted legacy subcontractors familiar with ECE construction requirements
- Material Procurement: Early ordering of long-lead items including specialized hardware, playground equipment, and safety systems
- Pre-Construction Team Meeting: Full project review to identify potential roadblocks before they impact your schedule
5. Site Preparation and Foundation
- Site Clearing and Grading: Preparing the site with drainage and playground grading requirements in mind
- Utility Installation: Water, electrical, and sewage systems scoped for childcare facility demands
- Foundation Work: Excavation and foundation poured to specification
6. Structural Construction and Enclosure
- Framing and Structural Build: Building the superstructure to plan
- Exterior Enclosure: Walls, roofing, windows, and exterior doors installed
- Secure Entry Systems: Vestibules, access control, and visitor management infrastructure roughed in
7. Interior Build-Out
- Classroom and Activity Space Finishing: Flooring, paint, casework, and fixtures selected and installed to licensing and brand standards
- Finger-Safe Hardware Installation: Doors, hinges, and hardware installed to child safety specifications throughout the facility
- Restroom and Sanitation Facilities: Built to state childcare licensing ratios and accessibility standards
8. MEP Systems
- Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Installation: All systems integrated and installed to commercial childcare standards
- HVAC for Occupied Spaces: Systems designed for proper air quality and temperature control across classroom environments
- Inspections: All MEP systems inspected and signed off prior to final walkthroughs
9. Final Inspections and Licensing Handover
- State Licensing Inspection Preparation: Final walkthrough with our team before the licensing inspector arrives
- Punch List Completion: All remaining items resolved quickly to keep your opening date intact
- Client Walkthrough and Handover: Full walkthrough with ownership, all documentation provided, and keys handed over ready for Day One
Contact Us:
Ready to build your Early Childhood Education facility with a team that understands both the product and the stakes? Partner with Van Brunt & Company for a seamless journey from groundbreaking to grand opening. Contact us today at VBC@Vanbruntco.com to discuss your project and learn how we can get your school open on time and built right.
Want more information?
Business owners, Tenants, Franchisees
Contact
Landlords, Real Estate Developers, Commercial Real Estate Agents, Commercial Property Managers