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Bright Ideas

Natural Start Forum: Flourishing in Nature

View a recording of a forum featuring Professor Julie Ernst's research on the impact of nature preschools on young children. Read More

NatStart Forum: Taking Preschool Outdoors

Join Natural Start on Tuesday, September 29 at 4 pm ET for a conversation about reopening nature preschools during the pandemic. Hear from several program directors who have transitioned their schools to be 100% outdoors this fall, followed by Q&A and discussion. Read More

Safety and Healthy Risk-Taking in Nature-Based Education

Enjoy a two-part session on safety and healthy risk-taking in nature-based programs, presented by Anne Stires and Amy Butler. The goal of these two sessions is to provide examples of the practices outlined in the Safety section of the Nature-Based Preschool Professional Practice Guidebook, which was written collaboratively by Anne, Amy, and Kit Harrington. Read More
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Feature Story

Photo by: Berkeley Forest School

Taking Preschool Outdoors: Resources and Reflections

Natural start recently hosted a discussion centered on the challenges, positive outcomes, and unexpected moments that come with reopening nature preschools amid a pandemic. View the recording of the forum and browse related resources and reflections. Read More
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Member Spotlight

Photo by: Cincinnati Nature Center Preschool

Cincinnati Nature Center Preschool

The Cincinnati Nature Center Preschool is a nature-based program licensed through the state of Ohio. Learn more about their journey to becoming a five-star program and how they made the decision to expand to K-2nd grade this fall. Read More
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