CERO DE SIEMPRE 

Cero de Siempre works for the wholesome development of every Colombian boy and girl from contraception to age six. Poverty and isolation in Villarrica means young mothers, poor parenting, and insufficient access to early childhood education is negatively affecting the development of the children. Luckily for Villarrica, architects Feldman and Quinones teamed up to bring the El Guadual Children’s Centre. This centre caters for all that Cero de Siempre incorporates; preconception, gestation, zero to one month, two months to three years, and four to six years. One hundred pregnant mothers, two hundred new born babies, and three hundred zero to five year olds have access to education, recreation, and catering services. Positive early childhood education for women can be passed on to other women and children. They are then more likely to adopt healthier diets, understand disease, and train in health practices, increasing health service accessibility, as well as overall well-being and quality of life for the community of Villarrica.

The building integrates the wider community and their education very well. Community education can affect the health of the mother and child, and accompany the effect of maternal education on child health. The centre offers services to the wider community, including; wide footpaths, a public park, an outdoor cinema, an art and performing arts theatre, and a town square. El Guadual Children’s Centre is now the centre of activity for Villa Rica. It is important for a child to have a positive idea around what their identity is. This is created through a sense of belonging in all areas; peers, family, community, culture, and the natural and spiritual world. The children of El Guadual are able to learn about the cultural, spiritual, and natural essence that makes up their community through this design. The community integration helps them to form an understanding of where they come from, and who they are. Initial positive human contact resonates throughout life and helps the children form healthy relationships in the future. 

Factors of risk and protection fulfill a child’s development. Children are active self-developers of their approaches to relations, risks, and resilience. Key development factors are; biological and experiential interplay, cultural influences, flexibility and vulnerability interplays, and timing of the experiences. The architects created thought-provoking spaces, encouraging self-exploration. Classroom transition varies, encouraging play, decision making, and risk taking. The variety of obstacles and choices encourages educational and recreational interplay, as well as self-development through environment. Increasing risk ratio in early childhood can improve the adaption of the child.