The MGM Head Start Child and Family Center is a purpose-built early education and community support facility in Springfield, Massachusetts. Head Start’s mission is to provide accessible, affordable early childhood education that supports children’s development and families’ well-being. The MGM Head Start Child and Family Center was designed to advance this mission through bright, high-quality classrooms, family support spaces, and activity areas designed to foster developmental learning, social engagement, and community connection.

The design prioritizes daylighting and environmental performance, with large windows bringing natural light deep into teaching spaces and circulation areas to support vibrant, healthy interiors conducive to learning. Designed with energy efficiency and high performance benchmarks in mind, the project achieved LEED Platinum certification through the strategic use of geothermal wells and photovoltaic panels.

Organized around a clear and functional layout, classrooms and activity zones are scaled for young learners, with adjoining support spaces for staff and families that promote safety, ease of supervision, and flexibility. The project reflects a collaborative design process that prioritizes accessible early childhood programming, while maintaining sustainable design goals and community engagement priorities.