When we first started SB Enterprises, we knew we wanted to do more than simply supply furniture to childcare centers. We wanted to create custom learning environments where children could learn, grow, and let their imaginations soar. Our recent custom play loft installation at one of our early education centers represents everything we stand for – and we're excited to share the story behind these remarkable custom childcare furniture pieces.
This project marked a significant milestone for our company. While we've always prided ourselves on providing quality childcare center furniture and equipment, these custom-built play lofts represented our first foray into truly bespoke architectural play structures for early learning environments. When a local daycare center approached us with their vision, we knew this was an opportunity to push our capabilities and deliver something truly special.
The excitement we felt taking on this challenge was matched only by our commitment to getting every detail right. This wasn't just another installation – it was a chance to create something that would impact children's daily experiences for years to come.
When our client came to us, they had a clear vision of what they wanted to achieve. They weren't looking for catalog items or off-the-shelf solutions. They needed play lofts that would fit their specific space, serve their educational philosophy, and provide children with rich opportunities for imaginative play and development.
Understanding that vision required deep listening and collaboration. We spent time discussing:
This consultative approach allowed us to truly understand what success would look like – not just for us as the builders, but for the educators and, most importantly, for the children who would use these structures every day.
Bringing this vision to life required close partnership with our vendor. We didn't just hand off specifications and wait for delivery. Instead, we engaged in an iterative design process, working through multiple considerations:
Structural Integrity and Safety: Every element needed to meet or exceed safety standards for early childhood environments. This meant careful attention to weight capacity, stability, and durability.
Functional Design: The lofts needed to serve multiple purposes – climbing, hiding, role-playing, and quiet retreat spaces. Each design decision was made with children's developmental needs in mind.
Aesthetic Appeal: The charming red roof design and thoughtful woodwork weren't just decorative choices. They were intentional elements meant to spark imagination and create an inviting environment.
Space Optimization: Working within the constraints of the center's existing space meant every inch had to count. The design maximized play opportunities while maintaining appropriate traffic flow and visibility for supervision.
The finished play lofts exceeded even our high expectations. Let's walk through some of the key features that make these structures special:
The distinctive red roofs immediately catch the eye and create a playhouse aesthetic that children find irresistible. This design choice transforms the lofts from mere play equipment into imaginative environments where children can envision themselves in homes, castles, shops, or whatever their creativity conjures.
Safety was paramount in every design decision. The stairways feature carefully calculated rise and run dimensions appropriate for young children, with non-slip treads that provide secure footing even during enthusiastic play. The stairs are wide enough for comfortable use but appropriately sized for small legs and feet.
The elevated platforms provide children with new perspectives on their classroom environment while offering cozy spaces for reading, quiet play, or social interaction. The railings are designed to provide safety without obstructing sight lines, allowing educators to maintain appropriate supervision while children enjoy their elevated play space.
The ground level features multiple archway entrances that serve several important functions. They create natural traffic flow, prevent bottlenecks during busy play periods, and offer children choices about how they engage with the structure. These archways also define distinct play zones underneath the loft, encouraging different types of imaginative play.
The area beneath the lofts is far from wasted space. The multiple archway entrances create a series of interconnected areas perfect for imaginative play. Children can create shops, houses, caves, or whatever their imagination suggests. This dual-level design effectively doubles the play value of the floor space occupied by the structure.
The play lofts were only part of this installation. We also designed and installed custom cabinet work and childcare storage solutions that provide essential organization while complementing the aesthetic of the play structures.
The storage solutions feature secure locking doors to keep cleaning supplies, teaching materials, and other items safely out of children's reach when necessary. The organized shelving systems make it easy for educators to maintain tidy, well-organized spaces – crucial in busy early childhood environments.
The cabinets weren't afterthoughts or generic additions. They were designed specifically for this space, taking into account the center's storage needs, traffic patterns, and aesthetic preferences. The result is a cohesive environment where every element works together to support both children's play and educators' work.
This project perfectly illustrates why custom solutions can make such a profound difference in childcare settings and licensed daycare facilities. Here's what custom design offers that catalog items simply cannot:
Every childcare center has unique spatial constraints and opportunities. Custom design allows us to maximize every square foot, creating solutions that fit perfectly rather than forcing spaces to accommodate standard-sized equipment.
Different early childhood programs have different approaches to learning and development. Custom environments can be designed to support specific pedagogical approaches, whether that's Montessori, Reggio Emilia, play-based learning, or any other philosophy.
The children at each center have unique needs based on their age ranges, developmental levels, cultural backgrounds, and individual characteristics. Custom design allows for differentiation and accommodation that supports all learners.
When something is custom-built for a specific purpose, it can be engineered for the exact use it will receive. This often results in greater durability and longevity than mass-produced alternatives.
Generic childcare furniture can make spaces feel institutional. Custom pieces create distinctive, memorable environments that children, families, and educators feel proud of and connected to.
A project of this scope requires meticulous planning and skilled execution. Here's a glimpse into what went into making this custom play loft installation a success:
Every joint, edge, and surface was carefully crafted. The woodwork showcases traditional craftsmanship while meeting modern safety standards. Smooth finishes prevent splinters, rounded edges reduce injury risk, and sturdy joinery ensures long-lasting structural integrity.
Beyond the obvious safety elements like railings and non-slip treads, countless details were engineered with safety in mind. Appropriate spacing between railings, secure anchoring to prevent tipping, rounded corners, and non-toxic finishes all contribute to a safe play environment.
Before installation day, we thoroughly planned every aspect of the process. We coordinated with the center's schedule to minimize disruption, mapped out installation sequences, and ensured we had all necessary tools and materials on hand.
Installation required precision and expertise. Structures needed to be level, secure, and properly integrated into the existing space. Our team's experience and attention to detail ensured a flawless installation.
Stepping back and seeing these lofts in place – filled with the promise of countless hours of imaginative play – reminds us exactly why we love this work. Projects like this one embody our core values:
When clients bring us challenges that require creative problem-solving and custom solutions, we thrive. These projects push us to innovate and grow while delivering exceptional value to our clients.
We're not just installing furniture. We're creating environments where children will learn, grow, develop friendships, overcome challenges, and build confidence. That impact is deeply meaningful to everyone on our team.
Working closely with our clients and vendor partners creates relationships built on trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. These partnerships allow us to do our best work and deliver results that exceed expectations.
In a world of mass production and cost-cutting, there's something special about creating truly well-crafted pieces that will serve children well for many years. The quality of these lofts reflects the care and skill that went into every decision and every cut.
This project represents more than just one successful installation. It demonstrates the possibilities that open up when we think beyond standard solutions and embrace custom design in early childhood environments.
Traditional childcare design often relies on floor-level furniture and equipment. By thoughtfully incorporating vertical elements like these custom play lofts and indoor climbing structures, we can dramatically increase the play and learning opportunities within existing square footage.
The best early childhood environments blur the lines between learning and play. These structures support gross motor development, spatial reasoning, social interaction, imaginative play, and so much more – all while children are simply having fun.
Years from now, the children who play on these lofts will remember them. They'll remember the fun they had, the friends they played with, and the sense of adventure and possibility. Creating those positive memories is a privilege and a responsibility we don't take lightly.
While we can't custom-build everything, we're always open to exploring special requests that can make a real difference in early childhood environments. If you have a vision for your childcare center – whether it's custom play structures, preschool classroom furniture, storage solutions, or other unique needs – we'd love to discuss the possibilities.
Custom solutions make the most sense when:
Every custom project begins with listening. We want to understand:
From there, we work collaboratively to develop solutions that align with your needs, meet all safety and quality standards, and deliver exceptional value.
If you've been imagining improvements to your childcare environment but aren't sure how to bring those ideas to life, we'd welcome the conversation. Whether you're looking for something as ambitious as custom play lofts or simply want to discuss your space and its possibilities, we're here to help.
Our experience spans a wide range of childcare furniture and equipment solutions. We understand the unique demands of early childhood environments and the importance of creating spaces that support both children's development and educators' work.
These custom lofts represent what's possible when vision meets craftsmanship, when clients trust partners to bring their ideas to life, and when everyone involved commits to excellence. We're proud of what we created together, and we're excited to see how these structures will enrich children's daily experiences for years to come.
More than anything, this project reminds us that early childhood environments matter. The spaces we create for young children shape their experiences, support their development, and contribute to their sense of wonder and possibility. That's work worth doing well.
Thank you for taking the time to learn about this project. We hope it's sparked some ideas about what might be possible in your own childcare environment. We'd be honored to be part of bringing your vision to life.
Whether you're exploring custom play lofts, storage solutions, or complete classroom transformations, we're here to help you create an exceptional learning environment for the children you serve.
Get Started Today:
📞 Call us: 708-482-0243
💻 Submit a contact form: https://www.sbcustomlearning.com/contact-us
Our team will respond promptly to discuss your vision, answer your questions, and schedule a consultation. Let's create something special together – custom learning environments that inspire curiosity, support development, and make a lasting difference for children and families.
Custom play lofts are elevated play structures specifically designed and built for childcare centers, preschools, and early learning environments. Unlike standard catalog items, custom lofts are tailored to your specific space dimensions, educational goals, and safety requirements. They typically feature climbing stairs, upper play areas with railings, and underneath spaces for imaginative play.
The cost of custom play lofts varies based on size, materials, design complexity, and additional features like integrated storage or specialized finishes. Generally, custom childcare furniture represents an investment in quality, durability, and functionality that standard options can't match. Contact us at 708-482-0243 or through our website for a detailed quote based on your specific needs.
Yes, when properly designed and installed by experienced professionals. Our custom play lofts include essential safety features such as non-slip stair treads, appropriately spaced railings, rounded edges, secure anchoring systems, and age-appropriate dimensions. All structures meet or exceed safety standards for licensed childcare facilities.
Play lofts can be designed for various age groups, from toddlers (18 months+) to school-age children. The design specifications, including step height, railing spacing, platform height, and overall dimensions, are customized based on the age range of children who will use the structure. We ensure age-appropriate design that supports developmental needs while maintaining safety.
The timeline varies depending on project complexity. Typically, the design consultation and approval process takes 2-4 weeks, manufacturing takes 6-10 weeks, and installation can be completed in 1-3 days. We work closely with your schedule to minimize disruption to your program and can coordinate installation during evenings, weekends, or program breaks.
Absolutely. In addition to play lofts, we design and install custom cabinet work, shelving systems, cubbies, and storage solutions tailored to childcare environments. Our storage solutions can include locking cabinets for supplies, organized shelving for materials, and child-accessible storage that promotes independence and organization.
We use high-quality, durable materials appropriate for high-traffic childcare environments. This includes solid wood construction, commercial-grade plywood, non-toxic finishes and paints, and child-safe hardware. All materials are selected for durability, safety, and ease of cleaning – essential considerations for licensed childcare facilities.
While we're based in the Chicago area, we're happy to discuss projects in other locations. Contact us to discuss your specific location and project needs, and we'll determine how we can best serve you.
Custom furniture makes sense when you have unique space constraints, specific educational philosophy requirements, need to maximize limited square footage, want to create a distinctive branded environment, or have tried catalog options that don't meet your needs. We're happy to discuss your situation and provide honest recommendations about whether custom solutions are right for you.
The process begins with a consultation where we discuss your vision, needs, space, and budget. We then conduct a site visit (when possible) to assess your space and take measurements. Next, we develop design concepts and provide detailed proposals. Once approved, we move into manufacturing and coordinate installation at a time that works for your program.
In many cases, yes. We can design structures with future expansion in mind. However, this depends on the specific design, available space, and structural considerations. If you anticipate future changes, let us know during the initial design phase so we can plan accordingly.
Well-designed early childhood environments support multiple areas of development including gross motor skills (climbing, balancing), spatial awareness, social interaction, imaginative play, problem-solving, and confidence building. Custom solutions allow us to intentionally design for specific developmental goals aligned with your educational philosophy.
Custom play lofts require regular inspection and basic maintenance including checking hardware tightness, inspecting for splinters or damage, cleaning with appropriate child-safe cleaners, and periodic refinishing depending on use. We provide maintenance guidelines with every installation and can discuss long-term care during your consultation.