Keywords
Abstract
The article explores current trends in the development of preschool architecture and identifies key challenges associated with the design of modern preschool educational institutions. Special attention is given to architectural solutions aimed at creating a diverse play environment and improving fire safety in kindergartens located in the northern regions of Kazakhstan. A set of design techniques is proposed, including approaches that are relatively new to domestic practice. These solutions allow outdoor play spaces to be adapted for seasonal use, providing opportunities for summer playgrounds and winter ice facilities, as well as incorporating modernized architectural elements such as inclined planes, ramps, and straight or spiral tubular slides. The growing demand for preschool education is driven by demographic changes, the expansion of educational needs, and the increasing role of early childhood development in modern society. Under conditions of social transformation, economic complexity, and continuous technological progress, the formation of cognitive and adaptive abilities from an early age becomes particularly important. As a result of ongoing socioeconomic changes, the typological diversity of preschool educational institutions in northern Kazakhstan is evolving. These institutions differ in operational models, ownership forms, sources of funding, educational programs, and their integration into the urban structure. Preschool education represents a foundational stage in the development of a child’s basic knowledge, skills, competencies, and personal qualities, forming a basis for further lifelong learning and development.