A new national survey of nature-based early childhood educators found that the number of nature preschools and forest kindergartens operating in the U.S. is at an all-time high. The study, conducted by four associations serving early childhood professionals, identified more than 250 nature preschools and kindergartens across the country – a 66% increase over the previous year’s tally of 150. The programs serve approximately 10,000 children every year, and eight out of ten programs reported that they started a waiting list in the previous twelve months.

The Natural Start Alliance, one of the groups that conducted the survey, defines nature preschools(link is external) as schools that use nature as the organizing principle for their programs. Nature preschools require their teaching staff to have skills and experience in both early childhood education and environmental education. A significant portion of the school day in nature preschools is spent outside. Forest kindergartens are a type of nature preschool that takes place entirely outdoors, often allowing the children’s interests and curiosity to direct the day’s activities and inform the curriculum.

Read the full article about nature preschools from NAAEE