There has been much progress on the new early childhood center taking shape on our Sunnybrook campus since construction began last summer. Through an extensive renovation, we’re turning a former health services clinic into a new facility that will provide more accessible, inclusive and culturally responsive support for children birth to age 5 in our community. The interior framing of the building is essentially done, and roof replacement and all of the new plumbing, electrical, wiring and seismic upgrading that comes with modernizing a 40-year-old building is quickly nearing completion as well. And we’re not just renovating the building interior: site preparations for the three outdoor play spaces specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers to maximize opportunities for inclusive play are underway, including the framing for the covered outdoor play space.

View of the front of the new early learning center site with construction materials and equipment in view

View of the front of the new early learning center site

New roofing in progress on the new early learning center

New roofing in progress

Site preparations for outdoor play spaces and framing for the covered outdoor play area at the new early learning center

Site preparations for outdoor play spaces and framing for the outdoor covered play area and a storage unit

Construction worker working on a ladder in what will become the main floor reception and waiting area of the new early learning center

Work in progress in what will become the main floor reception and waiting area

Framing for a grand skylight in the main floor commons of the new early learning center

Framing for a grand skylight in the main floor commons

The check-in area for early intervention evaluation services in the new early learning center

The check-in area for early intervention evaluation services

Construction manager shines flashlight on wires that will soon become the heart of the new early learning center's technology infrastructure

Wires that will soon become the heart of the building's technology infrastructure

ara Snow, director of early intervention and early childhood special education, and Brett Walker, assistant director early learning programs check progress on one of the new classrooms of the new early learning center

Sara Snow, director of early intervention and early childhood special education, and Brett Walker, assistant director early learning programs, check progress on one of the new classrooms

In short, we’re on schedule to open this wonderful new community resource in fall 2024. It will feature preschool classrooms, dedicated spaces to evaluate children for special services eligibility, and observation areas that allow early childhood service providers to improve their skills and learning by watching best practices on display. We’re looking forward to being able to provide more support to Clackamas County children and families from underserved populations, including those experiencing poverty, those experiencing disabilities and families who speak languages other than English. Learn more about the new early childhood center project.