RDG in the Media: The Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center
Education Snapshots features RDG’s design for the Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center.
The Plambeck Early Childhood Education Center in Kearney, Nebraska, is a forward-looking facility that merges innovative design with academic purpose to support both early learning and educator preparation. Located on the University of Nebraska at Kearney campus, the center provides full-day care for the children of university students, faculty and the greater community while also functioning as a teaching laboratory for UNK’s College of Education.
Designed by RDG, the center emphasizes flexibility, safety and sustainability to accommodate a range of developmental needs and educational approaches. The 19,900 SF facility includes 11 adaptable classrooms that can serve up to 176 children and are designed to support a variety of teaching styles. Each classroom includes direct access to age-specific outdoor classrooms that encourage exploration and physical activity, while large windows throughout the space deliver abundant natural light and promote sensory engagement.
Inside, corridors double as informal learning zones and support movement and interaction, and the building’s vibrant color palette and use of natural materials help create an uplifting, curiosity-driven environment. Integrated activity areas beyond the classroom promote hands-on discovery, while a centrally located multipurpose room provides a weather-protected space for motor skill development and indoor play. This space also functions as a professional development hub for early childhood educators, giving university students an opportunity to extend their learning beyond the classroom into real-world practice.