Haywood Regional Center for the Advancement of Children is on the campus of Haywood Community College in Clyde North Carolina.

Haywood CC is committed to environmental stewardship through sustainable landscape techniques, including the use of plants native to the area. The childcare center was recently built and had already begun the process of designing a new outdoor learning environment with OBS Landscape Architects in Raleigh before being identified as a Shape NC demonstration site.

The Natural Learning Initiative carefully reviewed plans for the preschool space, ensuring best practices were incorporated. In addition to this plan review, NLI provided designs for a new infant and toddler space not included in the OBS plans. After many months of design and construction, a transformation occurred in the preschool space. Professionally installed pathways, custom timber play structures, and enticing play opportunities provide children with an engaging place to play and learn.

Efforts to transform the infant and toddler spaces are underway and, when complete, will provide all of the children at the center with places to play that encourage physical activity and experience with food gardening.