Childcare Network #125
Shape NC NLI Childcare Network #125 Childcare Network #125, located in Fuquay-Varina, NC, replaced their well-worn infant and toddler poured-in-place primary pathways. A raised garden bed was added in their infant area, and raised fruit and vegetable gardens were...
Kiddie Kollege #1
Shape NC NLI Kiddie Kollege #1 Kiddie Kollege in Durham, NC has transformed the sunny area at the entrance of their center into a welcoming and thriving garden space, complete with a fruit and vegetable garden with arbor and a lush perennial garden punctuated with...
Little Engine Academy
Shape NC NLI Little Engine Academy Little Engine Academy, located in Durham, NC, has added a range of outdoor play and learning opportunities. They reworked some internal fences to create a separate infant area. They also added a looping mulch primary pathway in the...
Harvest Learning Center
Shape NC NLI Harvest Learning Center Harvest Learning Center, located in Durham, NC, was able to add a primary pathway loop onto an existing concrete pad in their preschool and toddler area, as well as a tree cookie secondary pathway. They also installed a mud...
Yates Baptist Child Development Center
Shape NC NLI Yates Baptist Child Development Center Yates Baptist Child Development Center, located in Durham, NC, has naturalized all three of their spaces in their outdoor learning environment through the addition of small trees for shade, shrubs and perennial...
Kids Korner Academy
Shape NC NLI Kids Korner Academy Kids Korner Academy I in Durham, NC started their outdoor learning environment improvements by removing some internal fences to maximize the use of their space. They added an arbor over the entry as well as two bridges. The children...
A New Beginning III
Shape NC NLI A New Beginning III A New Beginning III, located in Durham, NC, added a primary pathway, which connects to the ramp to the building, in an open space on their site. The children are staying busy with wheeled toys on their new pathway. They also added...
Brentwood Head Start
Shape NC NLI Brentwood Head Start Brentwood Head Start added a large double looped primary pathway that runs around existing play equipment and connects to an existing storage area. A raised fruit and vegetable garden, which occupies a sunny corner of their OLE,...
Building Blocks for Tots, Inc.
Shape NC NLI Building Blocks for Tots, Inc. Building Blocks for Tots, located in Wilson, NC, is a testament to the power of teamwork. The center installed a large double-looped primary pathway in the preschool area and a primary pathway in the toddler area. The...
Cynthia’s Garden of Knowledge, Inc.
Shape NC NLI Cynthia’s Garden of Knowledge, Inc. Cynthia’s Garden of Knowledge in Wilson, NC has transformed their outdoor learning environment by adding connecting primary pathways for their preschool and toddler areas, after removing some internal fencelines...
01. Benefits of Engaging Children with Nature
Infosheets NLI 01. Benefits of Engaging Children with Nature Download the PDF - English Naturalized outdoor learning environments (OLEs) stimulate the diversity of children’s play experiences and contribute to healthy childhood development. Best practice design of...
02. Top Ten Activity Settings For Outdoor Learning
Infosheets NLI 02. Top Ten Activity Settings For Outdoor Learning Download the PDF - English Activity settings add value to outdoor learning environments (OLEs) by supporting specific play and learning activities. An outdoor stage, for example, enables a range of...
03. Affordable Settings and Components
Infosheets NLI 03. Affordable Settings and Components Download the PDF - English Transforming a play environment doesn’t require endless resources. With a few easy-to-find materials and willing volunteers, many settings and elements can be made at minimal cost,...
04. Gathering Settings
Infosheets NLI 04. Gathering Settings Download the PDF - English Gathering settings support formal and informal play and learning activity. Sizes may vary to accommodate a group as small as two (e.g., child and teacher) or a whole class. They can be designed to suit...
05. Gathering Settings Created with Logs
Infosheets NLI 05. Gathering Settings Created with Logs Download the PDF - English Gathering settings support formal and informal group activity and social interaction. Settings can be constructed from logs (presented here), smooth boulders or timber benches, arranged...
06. Stepping Stone Pathways and Small Patios
Infosheets NLI 06. Stepping Stone Pathways and Small Patios Download the PDF - English See the "Installing Stepping Stones" Green Desk Post Stepping stones are versatile and durable ground surface components used to create outdoor play and learning settings....
07. Conicals
Infosheets NLI 07. Conicals Download the PDF - English Conicals provide a permanent, pyramidal form of playhouse for gathering and dramatic play. Constructed from geometrically arranged poles converging at their upper ends, conicals can be created from metal,...
08. Vine Conical Installation
Infosheets NLI 08. Vine Conical Installation Download the PDF - English Vine conicals create amazing opportunities for learning and outdoor play. Vine conicals can be constructed of 1/2-inch rebar, 1/2-inch steel bar, or sturdy giant bamboo as described here....
09. Pathway Designs
Infosheets NLI 09. Pathway Designs Download the PDF - English Research shows that well-designed pathways promote physical activity, play, and learning by providing children and teachers with integrated access to outdoor learning environments (OLEs). Once established,...
10. Growing Edibles in Containers
Infosheets NLI 10. Growing Edibles in Containers Download the PDF - English Container gardening is a practical, low-cost, space-efficient, and child-friendly approach to growing fresh produce at home, schools, and in childcare centers. Children delight in growing and...
11. Shade Solutions
Infosheets NLI 11. Shade Solutions Download the PDF - English Adequate protection from the sun is essential for the health and comfort of young children outdoors. In addition to protecting children from harmful ultra-violet light, sun protection extends outdoor play...
12. Arbors, Pergolas, & Trellises
Infosheets NLI 12. Arbors, Pergolas, & Trellises Download the PDF - English Arbors, pergolas, and trellises emerged centuries ago in Graeco-Roman gardens. Then as now they accentuate the third dimension, immersing users in nature by enveloping them with climbing...
13. Gross Motor Logs
Infosheets NLI 13. Gross Motor Logs Download the PDF - English Gross motor logs may be as simple as a single, horizontal log installed on the ground or a low grouping of various sized logs and/or limbs installed to provide a natural alternative to fixed, manufactured...
14. Plant Bed Protection
Infosheets NLI 14. Plant Bed Protection Download the PDF - English Plant protection boundaries prevent children from inadvertently running through planting beds, especially in compact, high use areas adjacent to primary pathways. Protective edging prevents plants from...
15. Sand Play Settings
Infosheets NLI 15. Sand Play Settings Download the PDF - English Sand play is a universal, early childhood activity from toddlerhood through the early school years. The manipulable quality of sand stimulates endless play sequences combining imaginative, social, and...
16. Multi-Purpose Lawns
Infosheets NLI 16. Multi-Purpose Lawns Download the PDF - English Multi-purpose lawns provide a soft surface for active play such as ball games, parachute play, and group activities, as well as a place for quieter activity such as story-time. Undulating ground...
17. Acoustic Play Settings
Infosheets NLI 17. Acoustic Play Settings Download the PDF - English Acoustic play settings provide opportunities for “making music” and enjoying beautiful sounds. Settings can be created from recycled/re-purposed items such as pots, pans, and pipes, or manufactured...
18. Making Newspaper Seedling Pots
Infosheets NLI 18. Making Newspaper Seedling Pots Download the PDF - English Newspaper pots are great containers for starting seeds, allowing you to transplant seedlings straight into your garden at the start of the growing season. With a few easily found items, you...
19. Starting Veggies Indoors
Infosheets NLI 19. Starting Veggies Indoors Download the PDF - English Spring is coming! It’s time to start seeds indoors to prep for the growing season– and bring gardening fun to school, home, or a childcare center! If you live in a cooler climate, starting veggie...
20. Indoor Plants for Homes and Classrooms
Infosheets NLI 20. Indoor Plants for Homes and Classrooms Download the PDF - English Indoor plants provide numerous benefits to both classroom and home environments, including a reduction in stress levels, improved concentration, and improved air quality. Children...
21. Creating Terrariums
Leaflets NLI 21. Creating Terrariums Download the PDF - English Terrariums are a fun and attractive way to bring nature indoors. Using easily found and inexpensive materials, you can create a small world of wonder for children and adults alike. With figurines, plants,...
22. Decks, Stages, & Porches
Infosheets NLI 22. Decks, Stages, & Porches Download the PDF - English Deck/stage settings provide dry, off-the-ground, multipurpose places for informal play, gathering, and classroom activity. Settings can be constructed of dimensioned or composite lumber, with...
23. Straw Bale Planters
Infosheets NLI 23. Straw Bale Planters Download the PDF - English Straw bales are a flexible and affordable option for starting a gardening program in an outdoor learning environment (OLE). They can serve as a temporary solution while permanent beds are installed or...
24. Early Childhood Fruit and Vegetable Gardens
Infosheets NLI 24. Early Childhood Fruit and Vegetable Gardens Download the PDF - English Children’s fruit and vegetable gardening can be supported by several garden types. If prior experience is lacking, container gardening is a great, confidence-building...
25. Harvesting Water with Rain Barrels
Infosheets NLI 25. Harvesting Water with Rain Barrels Download the PDF - English A rain barrel is a container that captures and stores rainwater from roof downspouts. Barrels usually range from 50 to 80 gallons. Smaller rain barrels may be explicitly repurposed. All...
26. Wildlife Gardens
Infosheets NLI 26. Wildlife Gardens Download the PDF - English Creating habitat for wildlife in an outdoor learning environment (OLE) provides countless opportunities to teach children about environmental stewardship. Watching and observing wildlife encourages STEAM...
27. Attracting Birds to Outdoor Learning Environments
Infosheets NLI 27. Attracting Birds to Outdoor Learning Environments Download the PDF - English Watching birds is a wonderful way for children to connect with nature. Whether observing them in trees or simply listening for songs, children delight in searching for...
28. Plants for Outdoor Learning Environments
Infosheets NLI 28. Plants for Outdoor Learning Environments Download the PDF - English Plants are a critical outdoor learning environment (OLE) best practice. Different species can provide shade, visual screens, wind barriers, and enhance seasonal play opportunities....
