New early childhood education centers at 5 Davis schools – KCRA

DJUSD Advances Sustainable Development Goal 4 with New Early Childhood Education Facilities

Executive Summary

The Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) has successfully completed the construction of five new Early Childhood Education (ECE) facilities. The project, finished on time and within budget over the course of one year, directly supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4), which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. The new centers opened for the 2025-26 school year, enhancing educational infrastructure for the district’s youngest students.

Project Details and Implementation

The initiative involved the construction of brand-new ECE facilities on the campuses of five existing elementary schools. This strategic investment in foundational learning infrastructure underscores the district’s commitment to providing high-quality educational environments. The project was completed efficiently within a one-year timeframe.

Recipient Elementary Schools

• Korematsu Elementary School
• Montgomery Elementary School
• North Davis Elementary School
• Pioneer Elementary School
• Willett Elementary School

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This development project makes a significant contribution to achieving specific targets within SDG 4: Quality Education.

1. Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education. The new facilities directly address this target by expanding access to purpose-built ECE spaces.
2. Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all. The construction of modern, dedicated centers creates such an environment for early learners.

By investing in this critical infrastructure, the Davis Joint Unified School District not only enhances its local educational offerings but also actively participates in the global effort to achieve universal quality education, a cornerstone of sustainable development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  This is the most prominent SDG addressed in the article. The entire report focuses on the construction and opening of “five, brand new early childhood education facilities.” This directly contributes to the goal of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, with a specific emphasis on the foundational stages of learning for the “district’s youngest learners.”

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article discusses the physical construction of new educational buildings. The statement that the district “constructed five brand new early childhood education facilities” in “just one year’s time” and that they were “Built on time and on budget” relates directly to the development of quality, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure that supports human well-being and development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 4.2: Ensure access to early childhood development and pre-primary education

   The article’s central theme is the opening of new “early childhood education facilities” designed to “welcome our youngest learners.” This directly aligns with Target 4.2, which aims to ensure that all children have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education to prepare them for primary schooling.

2. Target 4.a: Build and upgrade inclusive and safe school facilities

   The construction of “five, brand new” facilities at Korematsu, Montgomery, North Davis, Pioneer, and Willett elementary schools is a direct action towards Target 4.a. This target focuses on building and upgrading education facilities to provide safe, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all students.

3. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure

   The article highlights the successful completion of a significant infrastructure project. The construction of five new school facilities represents the development of quality infrastructure to support social development (education). The mention of the project being completed “on time and on budget” speaks to the efficiency and reliability of the development process.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of new educational facilities

  The article explicitly states that “five, brand new early childhood education facilities” were constructed. This number serves as a direct indicator for progress towards Target 4.a (building new facilities) and implies an increased capacity to serve more children, which is relevant to Target 4.2 (access to pre-primary education).

• Project completion efficiency

  The statement that the facilities were “Built on time and on budget” is a key performance indicator for infrastructure projects. This serves as an implied indicator for Target 9.1, demonstrating the development of quality and reliable infrastructure through efficient project management.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kcra.com