Supporting Naturalized Outdoor Play and Learning Environments in North Carolina Child Care Facilities
The Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) and the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) have relaunched the Creating a Supportive Network project to promote the health and social-emotional benefits of nature-based learning in North Carolina child care facilities. This effort focuses on strengthening the network of child care professionals, exploring ways to integrate nature-based programs into state policies, and increasing outdoor learning opportunities for both center-based and family child care providers. Through professional development, hands-on training, and shared resources, the project aims to give educators the knowledge and support they need to create high-quality outdoor learning environments for young children. See the tab “2024 Year-End Short” below for more.
Regional meetings have brought together early childhood professionals to discuss challenges and share best practices for implementing outdoor learning strategies. These gatherings have fostered collaboration across the state, reinforcing the importance of nature in child care settings while connecting educators with resources and support. See the tab “Regional Meetings” below for more.
Site gatherings and tours have provided firsthand experiences of how child care centers are successfully integrating outdoor learning environments. These visits offer inspiration and practical ideas for educators looking to enhance their own spaces, demonstrating the positive impact of nature-based learning on children’s development. See the tab “Gathering and Tour” below for more.
NLI has developed a collection of publicly available resources designed for dissemination. These materials provide guidance, research, and practical tools to help child care providers implement nature-based strategies effectively. By making these resources accessible, the project continues to expand its reach, equipping educators with the knowledge needed to create enriching outdoor experiences for young children. See the tab “Resources” below for more.
Download the 1-Pager to learn more about the NLI-DCDEE Naturalizing NC Childcare project:
THE GROWING PLACE
Gathering & Tour: DCDEE North Central Region
As part of the two-year project, Supporting Naturalized Outdoor Play and Learning Environments in North Carolina Child Care Facilities, the Growing Place Child Care Center, Asheboro, NC, hosted a regional Gathering & Tour organized by NLI for the regional community of interest, providing an opportunity to explore best practices for outdoor play and learning environment (OPLE) design and management. The most surprising practice that everyone learned was that the preschoolers take their afternoon nap outdoors when the weather allows!
The Growing Place began transforming its outdoor spaces in 2011 with an NLI design created through the Shape NC initiative. By building support among church and local community members, the center undertook incremental developments to create a diverse, naturalized, high quality space for children, including a safe haven for students after school.
Aims of the the Gathering & Tour included informing and inspiring childcare providers about the significant benefits that naturalized environments offer, including physical, emotional, and cognitive development through hands-on interaction with biodiverse landscapes.
Presentations included principles and advantages of outdoor play and learning environments, supported by research and real-world examples designed by NLI. Tour participants observed the integration of daily activities into diverse, well-designed outdoor spaces. Childcare providers left with practical ideas and inspiration to implement or advocate for in their own programs.
Presentation and Activities
Dr. Nilda Cosco greets guests at the Gathering & Tour, sharing insights about the exciting experiences they can look forward to exploring.
Katherine Davis, Growing Place Director, shares her journey in gradually developing the center Outdoor Play and Learning Environment (OPLE).
Alberta Forney explains how an Outdoor Play and Learning Environment (OPLE) has positively impacted the health and well-being of the children at her facility, A Kind Garden.
The Trogdon family demonstrated creative, natural ways to engage children in reading using painted stones, loose parts, and other materials.
Posters highlight the developmental journey of the host center, The Growing Place.
The Growing Place posters continued.
Preschool Area
Welcome to The Growing Place’s Outdoor Play and Learning Environment (OPLE)!
Growing Place children take naps outdoors underneath shade trees, when the weather allows.
A sensory pathway is best experienced barefoot.
Bamboo cuttings and other loose parts offer intriguing materials to enhance earth play.
A curious child confidently climbs a tree, exploring and strengthening physical skills.
A corner stage provides the perfect setting for spontaneous dramatic play.
TBA SANDHILL's CHILDREN CENTER
Gathering & Tour. DCDEE South Central Region
NLI Hosts DCDEE Regional Meetings
A statewide kickoff webinar introducing the two-year project, Supporting Naturalized Outdoor Play and Learning Environments in North Carolina Child Care Facilities, was followed by regional meetings. From April through May 2024, NLI partnered with the Department of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) to host four, one-day regional events: South Central in Pinehurst, East in Greenville, North Central in Raleigh, and West in Asheville.
The meetings brought together licensing consultants, investigations consultants, environmental assessors, and DCDEE leadership. The aim was to increase awareness of the health and wellness benefits of nature-based outdoor play and learning environments in NC early childhood facilities and to share progress on the ground. Each meeting featured an inspiring natural learning environment with a guided tour to strengthen the case for nature engagement.
At each meeting, participants were welcomed by the NLI and DCDEE teams and the site host, before presentations and discussion.
Nilda Cosco, PhD, NLI Director of Programs and NLI Cofounder, reminded participants of the first statewide project to create a supportive network in 2011, now relaunched as “Supporting Naturalized Outdoor Play and Learning Environments in North Carolina Child Care Facilities.” Nilda introduced NLI as a research professional development design assistance and communications unit at the College of Design, NCSU, celebrating 25 years of progress in 2025. She discussed the concept of “One Health,” underscoring the benefits of outdoor time and the impact of interaction with nature on healthy child development – the primary aim of the new project.
Robin Moore, NLI Cofounder, emphasized biophilic design and environmental diversity for increasing target health impacts: time outdoors, physical activity, gardening, and healthy eating, and social-emotional learning, and introduced NLI best practices and evaluation tools. He discussed the need to engage the green industry, landscape design professionals, and other potential partners in system change to scale up progress and support high-quality naturalized environments for young children.
Julieta Sherk, Department of Horticultural Science, NCSU, demonstrated how her landscape design students engage with childcare centers to install cost-effective improvements to their outdoor play and learning environments. As a proof of concept, the Desing/Build Studio completed installations in two local centers.
Linda Hestenes, PhD (Department of Human Development and Family Studies, UNC-G) discussed different types of nature-based early childhood programs, presented highlights from a recent national survey, and shared findings from interviews conducted with established providers across the state.
A post-lunch natural learning environment tour offered inspiration and mental and physical refreshment before a debrief and review of NLI’s best practice measurement tools, including POEMS (Preschool Outdoor Environment Measurement Scale) and COLEQT (Childcare Outdoor Learning Quality Tool). Each meeting concluded with an open discussion among participants who shared valuable stories and insights from day-to-day experiences in the field.
By the end of the regional meetings, there was no doubt that early childhood professionals in the State of North Carolina understand the need for children to be in contact with nature and are enthusiastically making progress to support high-quality outdoor environments within the parameters of current regulations.
Each regional meeting featured a guided tour of an innovative outdoor learning environment located at the venue, exemplified here at Eliada House, where the Western Regional Meeting was held.
South Central - Sandhills Community College, Pinehurst, NC
Nilda Cosco, NLI, and Julieta Sherk, Professor of Horticultural Science, welcome participants to the DCDEE South Central Regional meeting.
Ronda Hawkins, Professor of Early Childhood Education, Sandhills Community College, showcases the outdoor classroom for teachers, including the storage for toys and interactive activities, and explains the easy access from the primary looping pathway.
Eastern - Pitt County Arboretum, Greenville, NC
Robin Moore, NLI, delivers a presentation on creating natural childhoods using a biophilic design approach.
Matt Stevens, Pitt County Extension Director, gives an interpretive tour of the Children’s Garden at the Pitt Co Arboretum.
North Central - Department of Horticulture Science, NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Linda Hestenes, Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, discusses the Nature Preschool Visioning Process, outlining its key benefits and challenges.
DCDEE staff explore the Arid and Tropical Conservatories, Department of Horticulture Science with the helpful guidance of Diane Mays, Conservatory Curator.
Western - Eliada Homes, Asheville, NC
NLI presents an engaging OLE video titled “We Change the Culture Here,” showcasing the impact of an OLE at one of the Wake County demonstration sites located in Raleigh, NC.
Erica Blumenfeld, Eliada Farm Director and NC State graduate, guides participants through the campus production farms and greenhouses.
Planting & Caring for Trees & Other Plants
Best Practice Indicators in Action
Shepherd's Way Infant Parklet
Top Ten Activity Settings For Outdoor Learning
Pathway Designs
Multi-Purpose Lawns
Loose Parts Settings
Shade Solutions
We Change the Culture Here
Playgrounds to Outdoor Learning Environments
Childcare Network #61, Wanda Davis, Director
