Creative Learning
Shape NC NLI Creative Learning Creative Learning Center’s outdoor learning environment, located in Raleigh, NC, made good use out of large planters and timber edging to add some natural elements to an asphalt parking lot. Small shade trees were intended for the...
Little Hands N Feet
Shape NC NLI Little Hands N Feet Little Hands N Feet in Raleigh, NC has created a rich outdoor learning environment (OLE), with different opportunities for outdoor play and learning. A primary pathway weaves throughout the OLE, to a low multipurpose stage with stump...
Preston Children’s Academy
Shape NC NLI Preston Children’s Academy Preston Children’s Academy, located in Cary, NC, reworked some fencelines, to maximize their site’s potential for outdoor play and learning. This allowed them to add a primary pathway to their preschool, toddler, and twos...
Precious Promises Academy
Shape NC NLI Precious Promises Academy Precious Promises Academy in Raleigh, NC has transformed their outdoor space into a diverse outdoor learning environment (OLE). A double-looped primary pathway anchors the OLE, and leads to a variety of settings including a mud...
ABC Land Inc II
Shape NC NLI ABC Land Inc II ABC Land in Wendell, NC has transformed their existing play area into an vibrant outdoor learning environment (OLE). A large double-looped pathway and secondary pathway through a sensory garden tie different settings and components in the...
Kings Kids CDC
Shape NC NLI Kings Kids CDC King’s Kids Child Development Center in Durham, NC has added a shared outdoor classroom space to their outdoor learning environment. This new area boasts a fruit and vegetable garden, ornamental plantings, a pergola, a multipurpose lawn...
Sunshine Smiles Academy
Shape NC NLI Sunshine Smiles Academy Sunshine Smiles transformed their infant area by first removing a large area covered in rubber tiles. They added a primary pathway to organize the outdoor learning environment in the toddler area, a low multipurpose-stage, and a...
Primary Colors Early Learning Center
Shape NC NLI Primary Colors Early Learning Center Primary Colors Early Learning Center used Shape NC funds to improve their existing outdoor learning environment. They added a stepping stone pathway, mud kitchen and shade said to their preschool area, and improved...
Hattie Daniels Day Care Center
Shape NC NLI Hattie Daniels Day Care Center Hattie Daniels Day Care Center, located in Wilson, NC added a curvy primary pathway loop onto an existing rectangular pathway, giving the children more opportunities for gross motor development. The addition of fruit trees...
Busy Bees
Shape NC NLI Busy Bees Busy Bees in Wilson, NC removed two pieces of existing play equipment to make room for more settings and components to diversify their outdoor learning environment. They also removed the use zones for this equipment, as well as a large amount...
The Growing Tree
Shape NC NLI The Growing Tree The Growing Tree, located in Wilson, NC, has added a large primary pathway loop that connects to an existing pathway and the building in their twos/threes. This provides more opportunity for wheeled toy usage and connects different play...
Kinder Kastle INC
Shape NC NLI Kinder Kastle INC Kinder Kastle, located in Elm City, NC, has transformed their large outdoor space into a diverse natural learning environment (OLE). They added a primary pathway to their toddler space, and a large-double looped primary pathway...
Pine Street Head Start
Shape NC Pine Street Head Start Pine Street Head Start in Wilson, NC, has transformed an open grassy area into a diverse outdoor learning environment (OLE). They have added a curvy, looping primary pathway, and relocated an existing shed so that it opens into the OLE...
Priceless Child Care
Shape NC NLI Priceless Child Care Priceless Child Care, located in Raleigh, NC, expanded their outdoor learning environment into a large, unused portion of their property. With this extra space, they were able to add a large double-looped primary pathway for...
Tammy Lynn Center
Shape NC NLI Tammy Lynn Center The Tammy Lynn Center in Raleigh, NC remodeled an existing playhouse to add an opening for increased supervision. They also added a water play area and mud kitchen for sensory play opportunities. The addition of an art and acoustic play...
King’s Kids Early Education and Learning Center
Shape NC NLI King’s Kids Early Education and Learning Center King’s Kids Early Education and Learning Center added a primary pathway in their preschool outdoor learning environment. The new primary pathway connects to the existing primary pathway in their...
Gingerbread Littleversity
Shape NC NLI Gingerbread Littleversity Gingerbread Littleversity in Fuquay-Varina, NC has added multiple settings and components to their already diverse natural learning environment (OLE). They expanded the fenced area for their one and two year olds, and added a...
NLI Newsletter – October 2020
Autumn Leaves for Play and Learning
Do you have any activities for young children about leaves changing color in the fall?
Rethink Outside: Getting Kids Outdoors as Early as Possible
Re-Naturing Urban Childhood: A Sustainable Development Strategy
Natural Learning at Home® October
NLI Monthly Trivia
Fairview Children’s Center
Shape NC NLI Fairview Children’s Center Fairview Children’s Center, located in Apex, NC, has seen their outdoor learning environment transformed into a naturalized, active and productive space. The entire preschool and twos areas used to be covered in...
Creative Schools at Davis Park
The Growing Place Child Care Center, located at First Baptist Church in Asheboro North Carolina, offers an example of best practice in outdoor learning environments.
Asbury Preschool
The Growing Place Child Care Center, located at First Baptist Church in Asheboro North Carolina, offers an example of best practice in outdoor learning environments.
Triangle Day Care Center
The Growing Place Child Care Center, located at First Baptist Church in Asheboro North Carolina, offers an example of best practice in outdoor learning environments.
A New Beginning
Shape NC NLI A New Beginning A New Beginning, in Durham, NC, has expanded to their outdoor learning environment to include a flat, grassy area, where they installed a primary pathway for their preschoolers. They have also installed a primary pathway for their...
Kids Korner Academy II
The Growing Place Child Care Center, located at First Baptist Church in Asheboro North Carolina, offers an example of best practice in outdoor learning environments.
(Wake Co.) Kreepers-N-Krawlers
Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers NLI (Wake Co.) Kreepers-N-Krawlers Kreepers and Krawlers has moved the fence to enlarge their toddler outdoor learning environment. They are planning to add a primary pathway and raised beds in their toddler area, as well as a raised...
(Orange Co.) Spanish for Fun
Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers NLI (Orange Co.) Spanish for Fun Spanish for fun has created a cozy, welcoming space in their existing infant deck by adding an outdoor rug, colorful pots with sensory plantings, a bench that doubles as a storage area, and a shade...
(Orange Co.) Goddard School of Chapel Hill
Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers NLI (Orange Co.) Goddard School of Chapel Hill The Goddard School of Chapel Hill is planning to add a fence to create a separate infant area out of the existing shared infant/toddler area. They are also planning to build a...
Re-Naturing Urban Childhood
Publications NLI Re-Naturing Urban Childhood Authors: Moore, Robin; & Cosco, Nilda. Download the PDF - English “Re-Naturing Urban Childhood: A Sustainable Development Strategy” looks back briefly to the European beginnings of nature conservation 450 years ago and...
Rethink Outside: Getting Kids Outdoors as Early as Possible
POD provides landscape design seed money and teaches childcare center owners how to create learning environments that pull teachers and students outdoors.
LET’S GET OUTSIDE! The Case for Young Children
Publications NLI LET’S GET OUTSIDE! The Case for Young Children Reduce risk of disease and improve health during COVID-19—and beyond Authors: Natural Learning Initiative & National Wildlife Federation Download the PDF - English During the pandemic, all...
LET’S GET OUTSIDE! Providers
Publications NLI LET’S GET OUTSIDE! Providers Reduce risk of disease and improve health during COVID-19—and beyond Authors: Natural Learning Initiative & National Wildlife Federation Download the PDF - English Risk of spreading COVID-19 may be reduced if...
(Wake Co.) Morrisville Square Creative School
Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers NLI (Wake Co.) Morrisville Square Creative School Morrisville Square Creative School has added a primary pathway in the twos area, and are planning to add adjacent wheeled toy storage and more plantings soon. They have also created a...
(Wake Co.) Little Believers Academy II
Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers NLI (Wake Co.) Little Believers Academy II Little Believers has added a new infant outdoor learning environment, with a low deck and pergola. They are planning to add raised beds around the deck with sensory plantings soon, as well as...
(Wake Co.) Kiddie Academy Brier Creek
Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers NLI (Wake Co.) Kiddie Academy Brier Creek Kiddie Academy of Brier Creek has transformed an existing shared toddler/preschool area by removing rubber mulch and naturalizing it by adding a large multipurpose lawn and plantings. They also...
(Wake Co.) Discovery Point Heritage
Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers NLI (Wake Co.) Discovery Point Heritage Discovery Point has naturalized their infants/ones area with various plantings and a large raised planter with sensory grasses, perennials and vines along the fence. Soon they will install a...
(Orange Co.) The University Child Care Center
Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers NLI (Orange Co.) The University Child Care Center University Child Care has transformed their infant area into a diverse, engaging outdoor learning environment. They added a multipurpose deck, complete with an outdoor rug, pillows,...
(Orange Co.) Lil Treasures Day Care, Inc.
Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers NLI (Orange Co.) Lil Treasures Day Care, Inc. Lil’ Treasures has transformed their outdoor learning environment by removing two pieces of play equipment and adding a double-looped primary pathway that connects the shared toddler and...
(Orange Co.) Kehillah Jewish Preschool
The Growing Place Child Care Center, located at First Baptist Church in Asheboro North Carolina, offers an example of best practice in outdoor learning environments.
