POD Wake County

NLI > Beginning and Beyond Child Development Center

Beginning and Beyond Child Development Center

Beginning and Beyond Child Development Center, in downtown Raleigh, NC, has progressed towards their goal to create an active and productive outdoor learning environment as a participating POD-Wake demonstration center.

A fenced in learning garden was completed featuring 362 square feet of raised vegetable garden, a compost area, storage shed, a water source, and 211 square feet of fruiting shrubs. A total of 9 fruit trees are planted throughout the OLE.

Children enjoy planting, tending, and harvesting fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. The outdoor learning environment was enhanced with the creation of a stage for dramatic play and performances and a playhouse. Flowering trees along with shrubs and perennials planted in colorful tire planters help to naturalize and bring beauty to the space.

Beginning and Beyond received the City of Raleigh Urban Agriculture Award in 2015 and have invested $17,500 in OLE improvements during the course of the POD Wake project.

Address: 322 East Cabarrus St., Raleigh, NC 27601
Phone: (919) 856-2273
NC Star Rating: 4
Capacity: 120

Working with people in the community, the “seed” of POD Wake has grown.

Center Director

Schematic Master Plan (2013)

Schematic

Before Renovation (2013)

Schematic
Schematic

After Renovation (2018)

Schematic
Schematic
Fruit and vegetable garden entrance

Fruit and vegetable garden entrance

another view of after renovation showing more ole additions like loose parts play area and dramatic play areas

Looping pathway

Pergola with storage shelving

Pergola with storage shelving

post office Playhouse for dramatic play

Playhouse for dramatic play

Acoustic play music wall

Acoustic play music wall

Colorful tire planters line a raised deck

Colorful tire planters line a raised deck

earth play "construction zone"

Earth play construction zone

Gardening with young children cover

Gardening