This year we celebrate Outdoor Classroom Day on May 21st. This is a great time to appreciate the incredible learning that takes place in the great outdoors.
In Washington state, there are 28 Outdoor Nature-based (ONB) child care programs licensed by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Located in forests, arboretums, on farms, in public parks, and in open spaces connected to private homes—these programs provide unique and inspiring settings for children to learn and grow.
The Outdoor Pre-K program at Creative Kids Learning Center provides a secure and enriching environment where nature serves as the ultimate classroom. Serving children ages 3-5, the program is part of the Seattle Preschool Program.
The program is nestled in Carkeek Park, located in the open fields and natural spaces surrounding Carkeek Park’s Environmental Learning Center. Here, students are fully immersed in nature, spending the vast majority of their day outdoors. Children run, jump, and puddle-stomp under the care of teachers who enjoy the outdoors just as much as the kiddos.
“We love to see kids learn in such an organic way,” said Grace Alams, the program’s founder. “By connecting with nature, children learn to connect with others in a truly amazing way.”
Creative Kids’ Outdoor Pre-K program opened in 2025. The program can serve up to 16 children with a student-to-teacher ratio of three teachers for a class of 16 children. For more information about their ONB program, visit Creative Kids LLC.
To learn more about outdoor nature-based child care, visit the DCYF website and watch the ONB video highlighting programs across Washington state. To find a program near you, visit Child Care Check.
