Thanks to the reimagined Rockefeller Early Childhood Center, the city's youngest learners have an exciting new state-of-the-art educational space. The Little Rock School District introduced the campus to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 26, 2024. The District is showcasing its commitment to early childhood education and downtown revitalization with the grand reopening of the center. The renovation of the 1978 Rockefeller Elementary has transformed a previously windowless, spartan facility into a welcoming, playful learning environment that celebrates children’s imagination and creativity. The new design features light-filled classrooms, outdoor views, and a logical and secure entry sequence from curb to classroom.
The renovation created 14 classrooms (seven each for P3 and P4), four toddler rooms - each with dedicated restrooms, storage, and age-appropriate furniture exceeding standards for Pre-K learning facilities, and two infant rooms. The new layout organizes the building into developmental neighborhoods, with shared multipurpose spaces featuring dynamic play installations to encourage playfulness and exploration.
Inspired by the classical elements of Light, Air, Water, and Earth, the interior color and material palette include wallcoverings and inspirational graphics that create age-appropriate zoning and wayfinding throughout the facility. Every material, fabric, and graphic was carefully selected to bring soft, playful shapes into the building, creating a child-friendly environment that is sanitary, durable, and low-maintenance. Landscaping at full-height classroom windows incorporates nature observation as part of the learning experience.
A generous meeting room adjacent to the exploratory zones, with a dedicated entry and restrooms, allows after-hours use by neighborhood groups. Multiple designated staff areas support teachers and aides during their day.
In addition to the aesthetic and academic transformation, the building structure was reinforced to meet current seismic requirements. A building-wide fire sprinkler system was added, along with new accessible restrooms throughout. Other building utilities and technology were replaced or upgraded to meet the demands of 21st-century education.
Families are invited to learn more about Rockefeller ECC, which opens this fall, by calling 501-447-7360.
A special thanks to our partners who help make the wonderful facility a reality: WDD Architects, Kinco Contractors, Virco, Innerplan, and the Little Rock School District Maintenance and Facilities Team!