Building upon the school classrooms and teachers offices, previously completed by the charity, the Shiyala Kindergarten was conceived to provide space for early years learning for up to 60 children.

In 2022, the Government in Zambia released a nationwide education plan to provide free education to every child in the country. As part of this roll out, schools must also provide space for early years learning.

The main entrance to the kindergarten is through the external perimeter gate (centre). This central position welcomes pupils, parents and teachers into the secluded outdoor playground. The main entrance, flanked by externally accessed storage spaces, opens out to the playground, welcoming people into the large classroom space beyond. A layered entrance sequence creates greater security as well as aiding flow between the different spaces.

The structure is made up of a repeated steel trusses, in a ‘saw tooth’ form sitting atop a steel ring beam. The connecting ring beam intersects a series of brick and concrete piers. The brick piers terminate into a raised plinth, giving the kindergarten protection from flooding as well as forming the strip footing required for the masonry walls above. The gable ends of the structure have been carefully considered through conversations with the local team about cost, material availability and light penetration. At the top of the gable end triangles, behind the steel structure is a panel of treated eucalyptus poles, used commonly in Zambian construction. Below this is some hit and miss masonry work, allowing for natural ventilation to pull out the warmer air on hot days.

The main entrance space to the kindergarten encourages small group learning as well as breakout spaces for the pupils to enjoy throughout the day. Repeated at the main entrance are the metalwork security gates. Two gates secure the kindergarten playground, with a wall around the rest of the space to ensure pupil safety.