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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Environmental Nature Center

Member Spotlight

The Environmental Nature Center is developing Newport Beach, California’s first nature-based preschool. Although students will do most of their learning and playing outside, when they do spend time inside, it will be in a sustainable “green building” certified by the US Green Building Council. Read more

New Journal Issue Focuses on Greening Early Childhood Education

Bright Idea

This special issue of Children, Youth and Environments explores the outcomes associated with bringing nature into early childhood education and the benefits it provides for early development. Read more

Giving Children a Head Start on the Farm

Feature Story

Take a look inside the nation's first Head Start classroom at a working farm at Aullwood Audubon Center and Farm in Dayton, Ohio. Read more

Nature Center Preschool at South Shore Natural Science Center

Member Spotlight

The Nature Center Preschool at the South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell, Massachusetts, uses 30 acres of conservation land and an onsite museum to help each child learn and grow in all areas of development while gaining a love and respect for the natural world. Read more

Take a Tour Inside (and Outside) a Nature Preschool

Bright Idea

A Natural Start member shares a video tour of Kalamazoo Nature Center's Nature's Way Preschool. Read more

Keys to Keeping Your Outdoor Classroom Growing

Feature Story

Nature Explore's Susan Wirth shares the results of Dimensions Foundation's research that reveals six indicators of thriving, growing, and sustainable outdoor classrooms. Read more

Let’s Create an ECHO across America: Every Child Healthy Outdoors

Bright Idea

New tools are available from the Outdoors Alliance for Kids to help you work with your political leaders to get children back outdoors. Read more

Photo by Lesley Romanoff, Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School

Co-Creating Learning Environments with Parents, Children, and Teachers

Feature Story

A cooperative nursery school shares tips for how to engage parents, teachers, and children in learning in the outdoors. Read more

Irvine Nature Preschool Conference, Inside and Out

Bright Idea

Preschool director Lesley Romanoff reflects on this year's Nature Preschool Conference at Irvine Nature Center. Read more

Sowing the Seed of a School

Feature Story

Liza Lowe shares her story of how she started Wild Roots Nature School at Stonewall Farm. Read more