Nature Preschools

Nature preschools are a growing trend in education, and Natural Start is happy to support the role they play in developing happy, healthy children. If you are a nature preschool or want to help support the work they do, join our Alliance to help this movement grow.

Nature-Based Preschool Professional Practice Guidebook

The first resource in the United States to provide guidance on the unique professional practices of nature-based early childhood education is now available! Intended for teachers, administrators, policy makers, and parents, the Guidebook is an essential resource for anyone interested in nature-based early childhood education. Learn about the Guidebook and its applications to your practice, download the introduction and summary, or purchase a copy on Amazon.

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Twenty Ways to Take Art Outside

Bright Idea

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center Preschool educator Catherine Koons-Hubbard shares her tested strategies for easily taking art outside, even on the spur of the moment. Read more

En Plein Air: Where Art and Nature Meet Childhood

Feature Story

Preschool teacher Catherine Koons Hubbard reflects on perfect autumn days spent outside painting with children. Read more

Tiny Trees Preschool

Member Spotlight

Tiny Trees is planning to open six forest preschools in parks across Seattle. Read more

Nature-Based Schools Interest Group Forming

Bright Idea

If you care about nature-based early childhood education and have wanted a way to get more involved with Natural Start, a group is forming just for you! Read more

Claire Warden Introduces New Online Courses

Bright Idea

Claire Warden presents a selection of bite-sized online training through video, practical steps, and downloads. There are 5 courses now available including Floorbooks, Floorbooks and the Brain, Floorbooks and Talk, Nature Pedagogy, and Risk It! Read more

Brooklyn Forest School

Member Spotlight

Brooklyn Forest offers classes in New York City parks for young children and their caregivers. Read more

Inspiring a Future Generation of Educators: Forest School Internships

Feature Story

Fiddleheads Forest School has developed an internship program that it is helping student teachers, children, educators, and families. Learn how they're doing it, and how you can, too. Read more

Walking Stick Woods: The Evolution of a De-Evolution

Feature Story

In the heart of Chicago, a small nature center has taken a big leap into providing space for unstructured nature play for city residents. Read more

The Blue Waves Preschool

Member Spotlight

The Blue Waves Preschool is located on the coast of Kuwait, and brings children outdoors to enjoy, and learn to protect, their seaside home daily. Read more

Little School Takes on Toys R Us in New Video

Bright Idea

The Juniper Hill School, a place-based preschool in Maine, has posted a video to answer last year's Toys R Us commercial that disparaged environmental education. Read more