Brick Mill Early Childhood Center
A model for future ECCs
Rapid growth created an urgent need for dedicated early learning spaces in Delaware’s Appoquinimink School District.
Rather than building a conventional school, the district partnered with Gilbert Architects to design a standalone campus: the new Brick Mill Early Childhood Center (ECC).
Built adjacent to Brick Mill Elementary School (a facility our team designed in 2003), the center creates a seamless campus connection while giving 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old learners a space tailored to their needs.
As the district’s first building to unite preschool and kindergarten instruction under one roof, Brick Mill ECC serves as a model for future early childhood centers.
Designing for whole-child growth
The school’s layout mirrors its curriculum, supporting young students across mental, physical, emotional, and social development:
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Specialized learning environments: Twenty core classrooms connect directly to breakout spaces, supporting early language, literacy, math, and science discovery.
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Targeted support spaces: Dedicated rooms for art, sensory therapy, and adaptive physical education accommodate diverse developmental needs.
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Multipurpose core: A flexible central hall serves as both an athletic space for physical instruction and a full-service cafeteria.
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Dual-language instruction: The facility accommodates varied learning paths, including two 50/50 Spanish Immersion kindergarten rooms alongside eight traditional classrooms.
A cohesive, secure footprint
Our team designed the new center to complement the neighboring elementary school’s original exterior while prioritizing security and intuitive navigation:
- Centralized amenities: Offices, the health suite, the library, and the multipurpose room sit directly off the lobby for effortless access and visitor monitoring.
- Identifiable main entry: A high-volume light well anchors the main entrance, flooding the secure vestibule and central lobby with natural light.
- Balanced wing configuration: Dedicated pre-K and kindergarten wings flank the administrative core, keeping age groups organized while creating a balanced footprint.