Small Beginnings Child Development Center, in Statesville North Carolina, overcame challenges to improve their outdoor space for best practice.

The primary challenge was to install a five-foot wide fine crushed stone pathway on an existing steep slope. With the assistance of NLI staff, and engineer Steve Blake of Artifex Environmental Design, the path was laid out to work on the existing site. Upon completion of the path, new features were installed including a sand play area, central outdoor classroom, dedicated garden area, music area using up-cycled pots and pans, and plantings that will bring nature to the space.

Small Beginnings continues to develop their outdoor learning environment by following their master plan and incrementally adding settings funding becomes available.