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.

Little Schoolhouse in the Woods is a nonprofit outdoor early education program based in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing in-home childcare since 2010. The program was founded by Lee and Jason Hamzy, whose love of nature and professional experience in education led them to launch the program from their own two-acre property.

The Arlitt Child Development Center at the University of Cincinnati is one of the oldest demonstration preschools in the US. Arlitt is a diverse and inclusive program that incorporates nature and the environment on a regular basis.

Muddy Boot Prints (MBP) is an all-outdoor, roving preschool in Vancouver. The school hosts four programs out of local parks, serving around 55 families and utilizing nine parks throughout Vancouver. Learn more about the program in our latest Member Spotlight.

Explore how Washington Outdoor School, which started as a small pilot program in 2013, has blossomed into an organization that serves 130+ families through a variety of outdoor, nature-based immersive classes.

Get to know White Pine Programs, a nonprofit organization in Maine that connects children and adults to nature, beginning at age 4.

Read about the Environmental Nature Center’s Nature Preschool program, which we first profiled in 2014, to learn about their LEED Platinum Certification and sustainable design.

Get to know more about the Saint Louis Zoo Preschool, a Reggio-inspired, nature-based preschool, which opened in 2014.