Member Spotlight

Get to know Natural Start member, Alaska Forest School, and learn more about their experiences operating a 100% outdoor preschool program in the coldest state of the U.S.

Founded in 1973, The American Association for the Child’s Right to Play became the USA Affiliate (IPA USA) of the International Play Association, a global network focused on ensuring every child’s right to play. Learn more about the organization in this Member Spotlight.

Get to know Natural Start member, Common Ground, and learn more about their NatureYear program, a nature-based enrichment program that serves students ages 5-14+ in New Haven, CT.

Natural Start Member, Honeypot Montessori, is a nature- and place-based urban preschool in the Greater Newark Area that provides joyful outdoor learning opportunities for Black and Brown children.

Learn more about Tomorrow River Community Charter School, a Waldorf-inspired, nature-based school in Wisconsin serving children in 4K-8th grade.

Get to know Natural Start member, Little Leaf, a nature preschool enrolling children ages 2-5, with three locations in New York state.

Building Blocks Preschool in Highland, Michigan, has been operating for nearly 20 years. Get to know this nature-based school in our latest Member Spotlight!

Get to know Y-Koda Nature School, a tuition-free 4K program where young children spend 50% of their day learning outdoors.

We are driven by a passion for learning and educating in our nature-based early childhood programs.

Building Blocks in Highland, MI, was home of the No Child Left Inside conference through Heavner Nature Connections, and many early childhood educators visit our school throughout our state. Educators were captivated by the nature preschool's design, teachers, documentation, and programs, so we decided to spotlight the center so others could get to know it, too. Building Blocks Preschool was established in 2004 with a vision to incorporate best practices and a holistic approach to early childhood learning. Our environment has been highlighted in the book “Outdoor and Nature Play in Early Childhood Education” by Beverlie Dietze and Diane Kashin on May 15, 2018. We asked Suzanne Gabli about what makes her school special, what advice she'd give to those just starting a nature preschool, and more.

Get to know Natural Start member, Community Connections for Children, a non-profit in Pennsylvania providing free nature play training to early childhood educators.

In our November Member Spotlight, get familiar with the Child Development Lab School at UM, a fantastic program that incorporates nature-based learning and sustainability and helps prepare future educators to be the best they can be!

For this month’s Member Spotlight, Natural Start sat down with Amanda McMickle, Vice President of Education at Cibolo Center for Conservation. We discussed her career so far, important pieces of advice she’s received, and how to network when you’re an introvert. Watch the interview here.