Blog

  • Teddy Bear Child Care Center

    Shape NC

    Teddy Bear Child Care Center

    Teddy Bear Child Care Center, located in Asheboro, NC, has replaced a stepping stone pathway with a concrete primary pathway in their preschool area, making it easier for children to enjoy wheeled toys in their outdoor learning environment.  The new primary pathway also connects to their existing toddler pathway, for easier access from the building.  Open-air wheeled toy storage areas adjacent to the pathways, for easy access to trikes, have been installed in both areas.

    A covered sand play area has also provided additional play opportunities in the toddler area.  The added benefit of a solid roof allows for year-round, all-weather enjoyment.  The center is also reworking the configuration of its fruit and vegetable gardens, to maximize growth potential.

    Address: 1552 N Fayetteville St, Ashebor, NC 27203

    Phone Number: (336) 672-6777

    County: Randolph
    Local Partnership: Randolph Partnership for Children

    NC Star Rating: 

    Capacity: 

    Schematic Master Plan (2020)

    Teddy Bear Child Care Center design plan

    Before Renovation (2019)

    before renovation showing existing equipment and space

    After Renovation (2020)

    after renovation showing new primary pathway
  • Ramseur Elementary School

    Shape NC

    Ramseur Elementary School

    Ramseur Elementary, located in Ramseur, NC, has added a large, double-looped primary pathway, to center their outdoor learning environment (OLE), in an underused open area.  They have also added an adjacent shed for wheeled toy storage.

    A covered sand play area, for natural loose parts play, and small trees around the primary pathway provide much-needed shade.  Shrubs also help naturalize the OLE, and a raised fruit and vegetable garden with work tables gives the children the chance to learn about growing healthy foods.

    Address: 6755 Jordan Road, Ramseur, NC 27316

    Phone Number: (336) 824-4106

    County: Randolph
    Local Partnership: Randolph Partnership for Children

    NC Star Rating: 5

    Capacity: 30

    Schematic Master Plan (2020)

    Ramseur Elementary School design plan

    Before Renovation (2019)

    before renovation showing existing play equipment

    After Renovation (2020)

    after renovation showing new looping pathway
  • Noah’s Ark Playschool

    Shape NC

    Noah’s Ark Playschool

    Noah’s Ark Playschool in Asheboro, NC has added an additional two feet onto their existing three-foot wide primary pathway, to allow children to pass one another.  Imaginative play abounds with grass mounds.

    The center also added a shared outdoor gathering space for children to eat meals and snacks together or serve as an outdoor classroom setting for STEM projects.

    Address: 2012 Old Farmer Road, Asheboro, NC 27205

    Phone Number: (336) 626-6756

    County: Randolph
    Local Partnership: Randolph Partnership for Children

    NC Star Rating: 3

    Capacity: 90

    Schematic Master Plan (2020)

    Noah's Ark Playschool design plan

    Before Renovation (2019)

    before renovation showing existing play space

    After Renovation (2020)

    after renovation showing extension of primary pathway
  • Creative Kids Preschool

    Shape NC

    Creative Kids Preschool

    Creative Kids Preschool has diversified their outdoor learning environment with a variety of different play and learning settings.  They have added a mud kitchen with large workbench and storage bins, a teepee, and a sand play area.

    They have also added a multipurpose artificial turf lawn in an area where they have struggled to grow grass in the past.

    Address: 1016 S. Cox Street , Asheboro, NC 27203

    Phone Number: (336) 628-4542

    County: Randolph
    Local Partnership: Randolph Partnership for Children

    NC Star Rating: 3

    Capacity: 29

    Schematic Master Plan (2020)

    Creative Kids Preschool design plan

    Before Renovation (2019)

    before renovations showing existing equipment

    After Renovation (2020)

    after renovation showing various additions as well as artificial turf
  • Childcare Network, Inc. #146

    Shape NC

    Childcare Network, Inc. #146

    Childcare Network #146, located in Archdale, NC, has transformed their outdoor area into a natural learning environment with a variety of opportunities for engagement.  The center first changed some internal fence lines to maximize their space and added primary pathways to their preschool and toddler areas. 

    They also added a mud kitchen, teepee, fruit and vegetable garden, and acoustic wall.  Small trees throughout the outdoor learning environment help naturalize the space, as well as provide pockets of shade.

    Address: 5500 Old Thomasville Road, Archdale NC 27263

    Phone Number: (336) 882-3144

    County: Randolph
    Local Partnership: Randolph Partnership for Children

    NC Star Rating: 5

    Capacity: 139

    Schematic Master Plan (2020)

    Childcare Network, Inc. #146 design plan

    Before Renovation (2018)

    before renovation showing existing play equipment

    After Renovation (2020)

    after renovation showing primary pathway and all of the new OLE additions
  • Level Cross Enrichment Center

    Shape NC

    Level Cross Enrichment Center

    North Asheboro Head Start in Asheboro, NC has transformed a mulch-covered asphalt parking lot into a diverse, engaging outdoor learning environment (OLE).  A painted primary pathway defines the OLE and loops around an artificial turf multipurpose lawn in the center.  

    Raised garden beds, for ornamentals and fruits and vegetables, surround the space, allowing the children to interact with plants.  There are also multiple settings for diverse play and learning opportunities, such as a teepee, music and sensory walls, an art center, low multipurpose stage, and a mud kitchen.

    Address:9017-A US HWY 220 Business N, Randleman, NC 27317

    Phone Number: (336) 672-5570

    County: Randolph
    Local Partnership: Randolph Partnership for Children

    NC Star Rating: 4

    Capacity: 30

    Schematic Master Plan (2020)

    Level Cross Enrichment Center design plan

    Before Renovation (2019)

    before renovation showing undeveloped space

    After Renovation (2020)

    after renovation showing new painted pathway
  • Liberty Elementary School Pre-K

    Shape NC

    Liberty Elementary School Pre-K

    Liberty Elementary School Pre-K, located in Liberty, NC, transformed an open field into an outdoor learning environment (OLE) for their pre-k students.  They added a large double-looped primary pathway around existing play equipment, with an adjacent storage area for easy access to wheeled toys.

    They also added a grassy mound, a mud kitchen, and a water play area with a dry stream bed.  They have started naturalizing their OLE with small trees and an arbor with vines for pockets of shade around.

    Address: 206 N Fayetteville Street, Liberty, NC 27298

    Phone Number: (336) 622-2253

    County: Randolph
    Local Partnership: Randolph Partnership for Children

    NC Star Rating: 5

    Capacity: 54

    Schematic Master Plan (2020)

    Liberty Elementary School Pre-K design plan

    Before Renovation (2019)

    before renovation showing existing equipment and undeveloped lot

    After Renovation (2013)

    after renovation showing looping pathway
  • The Kids of Hope Child Care Center

    Shape NC

    The Kids of Hope Child Care Center

    The Kids of Hope Child Care Center in Asheboro, NC has completely transformed their asphalt toddler area into a comfortable and vibrant outdoor learning environment through the addition of artificial turf, a low multipurpose stage with large shade sail, bench, mud kitchen, and primary pathway painted on the asphalt.  Additionally, raised planting beds and large planters for small trees have helped naturalize this area.

    The preschool area has also been enlarged to include access to a wooded hillside and large slide.  They have also added large planters for trees and a generously-sized sand play area with pergola for increased shade. 

    Address: 203 English St Asheboro, NC 27203

    Phone Number: (336) 672-1388

    County: Randolph
    Local Partnership: Randolph Partnership for Children

    NC Star Rating: 5

    Capacity: 66

    Schematic Master Plan (2020)

    The Kids of Hope Child Care Center design plan

    Before Renovation (2017)

    before renovation showing undeveloped space

    After Renovation (2020)

    after renovation showing new shade sail, deck and other additions
  • Honeycomb Kids

    Shape NC

    Honeycomb Kids

    A mud kitchen and a swinging bridge allow for dramatic play and build fine and gross motor skills.  Two large arbors span over the primary pathway, for increased shade and the opportunity to grow vines.

    Address: 6294 Welborn Road Trinity, NC 27370

    Phone Number: (336) 861-2030

    County: Randolph
    Local Partnership: Randolph Partnership for Children

    NC Star Rating: 4

    Capacity: 40

    Schematic Master Plan (2020) (Preschool)

    Honeycomb Kids (pre school) design plan

    Schematic Master Plan (2020) (Toddlers)

    Honeycomb Kids (toddlers) design plan

    Before Renovation (2017)

    before renovation showing undeveloped space and existing play equipment

    After Renovation (2020)

    after renovation showing new looping pathway and arbor
  • It’s A Kid’s World Preschool

    Shape NC

    It’s A Kid’s World Preschool

    It’s a Kid’s World in Randleman, NC, added a primary pathway loop onto an existing walkway, and extended secondary gravel pathways through their wooded space to create a sense of exploration and adventure.  

    They also added a dry creek bed, for imaginative play and to help with drainage, a teepee, an exploration ramp, and a boat for dramatic play.  Multiple children can use the new free-standing acoustic play area at once for added fun.

    Address: 160 Point South Drive Randleman, NC 27317

    Phone Number: (336) 495-0517

    County: Randolph
    Local Partnership: Randolph Partnership for Children

    NC Star Rating: 4

    Capacity: 60

    Schematic Master Plan (2020)

    It's A Kid's World Preschool design plan

    Before Renovation (2018)

    before renovation showing undeveloped space

    After Renovation (2020)

    after renovation showing pathway extension and variety of OLE enhancements