Principal Architect Dan Levi, a leading expert in childcare facility design, joins the podcast to unpack the critical relationship between architecture and the operational realities of the childcare industry. Dan addresses the dual challenges of affordability and availability, explaining how strategic pre-design work, including community surveys and pro forma analysis, is essential. He then dives into schematic design, focusing on maximizing student-to-teacher ratios, minimizing staffing needs through efficient layouts, and understanding the intricate day-to-day operations to create facilities that are not only inviting but also financially sustainable and highly functional for both children and staff.