IRIDE School

IRIDE School

This municipally-funded school serves children ages 0-3. The school was built after the 2012 earthquake. The school had a 'temporary' name until the children had been in the school for a while and came up with the name, "Iride", which means 'eye'. The children got very interested in the 'porthole', an architectural feature of the building that they noticed and paid careful attention to because it was at toddler eye level.  From this grew both the name of the school and its logo.

Children's explanation for Iride.


The design of the school allows for nature and the outdoors to be part of the indoor space. All classrooms have large windows and a door to the outdoor space, which is frequently open, allowing the children to go between the indoor and outdoor spaces.
There are a variety of levels/surfaces in the classrooms for young children to navigate.

Children's work is displayed at eye level for the infants and toddlers in this classroom.
Natural materials are incorporated into the classroom for children to manipulate or use as inspiration.
Even the windows themselves are designated as spaces onto which children can draw their own ideas, adding to the outdoor vista (or looking indoors from outside) with washable markers.

The classrooms are minimalist; only materials that are used are included. There are no extraneous 'decorations' or commercially prepared posters displayed.
There is no such thing as bad weather - only bad clothing.  Children play outside each day regardless of rain, snow, or mud. They simply don the appropriate clothing for the conditions.
There are separate spaces for children to rest. 
Open spaces between classrooms are also used as instructional spaces.
Children are frequently out in the community.
The entry foyer (designated a piazza, or town square) is very inviting, featuring a variety of materials/centers for children to explore. It is the gathering place for morning meetings when needed.
There are a variety of loose parts for children to explore. These are often recycled materials from the ReMidas. 
An art atelier, shared by all children in the center.













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