Background

A childcare facility is much more than classrooms. It is a place where children learn, play, rest, and interact throughout the day. Every activity benefits from the right lighting, whether it is story time, creative learning, quiet naps, or indoor play. At the 6,800-square-foot Wahoo Child Development Center, the objective was to create an environment where lighting quietly supports these daily routines. Working alongside JRA, the Lumos Controls representative for Nebraska and Iowa, the project implemented a solution that reduced manual effort while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for children, teachers, and visitors. 

Objectives

The goal of this project was to create a lighting environment that naturally supports the daily routines of a childcare facility. The solution needed to provide comfortable illumination for classrooms and activity spaces, automate lighting based on occupancy, and give teachers simple control whenever adjustments were needed. At the same time, the facility wanted a connected lighting system that would be easy to manage, reliable in everyday use, and capable of improving operational efficiency without adding complexity for staff. 

Challenges

Solution 

2 channel AC powered 0-10V fixture controller with inbuilt Relay – Radiar AF10

Radiar AF10 provided flexible fixture-level control across classrooms and activity spaces. Its dual-channel capability allowed different lighting groups to be adjusted independently, helping create suitable lighting for various learning activities throughout the day.

Wireless 0-10V Single Channel Room Controller – PSC-WCM-450-BLE-WS 

Installed across multiple rooms, these controllers enabled reliable dimming and lighting control for individual classrooms. They helped maintain consistent lighting while allowing each room to operate independently.

1-Button Bluetooth Mesh Wall Controller –  PSC-DM-WS-100-BLE-WS

Teachers and staff could activate preset lighting with a simple button press. The wireless design also offered installation flexibility without requiring additional control wiring.

Wireless Motion Sensor Dimmer Switch –  PSC-DM-I-WS-100-BLE-WS

This motion-sensing wall switch combined occupancy detection with manual dimming control, making it easy for staff to adjust lighting while also supporting automatic operation when rooms were in use.

AC Powered Wireless PIR Motion & Light Sensor – Cyrus AP

Cyrus AP sensors were installed in classrooms and shared learning spaces. Using PIR motion detection and daylight sensing, they automatically adjusted lighting based on occupancy and available natural light, creating comfortable spaces while reducing unnecessary lighting operation.

AC Powered Wireless Microwave Motion & Light Sensor  – Cyrus AM

Cyrus AM sensors complemented the PIR sensors in selected areas where microwave sensing offered improved coverage. Together, the two sensor technologies helped provide responsive and dependable lighting automation throughout the facility.

Gateway with RTC, Ethernet & Astronomical Clock  – Enor E

Enor E connected the complete lighting system into one centralized platform. It enabled facility teams to monitor and manage lighting schedules while maintaining accurate operation through its built-in real-time clock. 

Results

The lighting system now works alongside the daily routine instead of becoming another task for teachers. Classrooms automatically respond when children and staff arrive, shared spaces remain comfortably lit, and manual controls are always available when needed. 

The connected lighting solution also gives the facility greater consistency across rooms, making the environment feel more comfortable and organized while helping reduce unnecessary energy use in unoccupied spaces. 

About Our Partner – JRA

JRA is the Lumos Controls representative for the Nebraska and Iowa region, bringing over 20 years of experience in the electrical industry. Their local expertise and project support helped ensure the successful implementation of this smart controls solution at Wahoo Child Development Center. 

Planning a smart controls upgrade for your educational facility? Connect with Lumos Controls today.