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Shape NC

Cynthia’s Garden of Knowledge, Inc.

Cynthia’s Garden of Knowledge in Wilson, NC has transformed their outdoor learning environment by adding connecting primary pathways for their preschool and toddler areas, after removing some internal fencelines to optimize their site’s potential.

They have also naturalized their space by adding a garden area, both for growing fruits and vegetables for healthy snacks and for ornamentals, as well as tire planters for perennials.  A mud kitchen and low multipurpose stage provide opportunities for dramatic play, and a large stump circle was installed for gathering and reading outside.

Address: 1915 Statonsburg Road, Wilson, NC 27893

Phone Number: (252) 237-2257

County: Wilson
Local Partnership: Wilson County Partnership for Children

NC Star Rating: 3

Capacity: 75

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2017)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Foundations Academy

Foundations Academy in Raleigh, NC has made their toddler and infant space more easily accessible by adding a low, multipurpose deck as a transition space between their building and outdoor learning environment.  They also added a primary pathway, multipurpose lawn area, sand play, and water play area.

They have maximized the space in their preschool outdoor learning environment by reducing the use zone around existing equipment.  This created more space for a low multipurpose stage and storage area for loose parts and dramatic play equipment.

Address: 2823 Sanderford Road Raleigh NC 27610

Phone Number: (919) 833-7309

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 114

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2017)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

A Safe Place Early Learning Center

A Safe Place Early Learning  Center, located in Raleigh, NC, replaced an existing gravel pathway with a double looped concrete pathway with sensory elements throughout.  They also added a wheeled toy storage area, a reading area, and water play area.  

The children are now enjoying growing healthy snacks in new raised vegetable beds, which have expanded their existing garden and made it more accessible with the challenge of the site’s sloping topography. 

The toddler area has also seen a transformation with the addition of a covered transitional space, a raised vegetable garden, and a more defined dramatic play space.

Address: 201 Clarendon Crescent, Raleigh NC, 27610

Phone Number: (919) 899-3536

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 27

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2017)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Early Preschool and Learning Center

Early Preschool and Learning Center, located in Raleigh, NC, has transformed their large outdoor area into an outdoor learning environment that promotes physical activity, outdoor play and learning, and healthy eating.  They have added a large double looped primary pathway, and orchard and raised vegetable garden gives the children the chance to participate in growing healthy snacks.  

The center has also installed a wheeled toy storage area adjacent to the primary pathway, as well as a sand play area.  In addition to fruiting trees, they have also planted small trees for shade around the primary pathway.  An arbor also spans the primary pathway to provide additional shade.

Address: 2614 Fairway Drive Raleigh, NC 27603

Phone Number: (919) 772-4109

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 59

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2017)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Kid’s Country of Clayton

Kids Country of Clayton has transformed their outdoor areas into an engaging outdoor learning environment (OLE).  They reduced large use zones in their preschool/afterschool area to add a large, curvy double-looped primary pathway.  They also added a mud kitchen, raised fruit and vegetable garden and fruit trees.

The addition of a primary pathway in their infant/toddler area also gives the young ones the chance to practice gross motor skills with wheeled toys.  Shade sails make this area comfortable year-round.

Address: 6199 Little Creek Church Road, Wilson, NC 27520

Phone Number: (919) 553-1057

County: Wilson
Local Partnership: Partnership for Children of Johnston County​

NC Star Rating: 4

Capacity: 88

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Imagination Learning Center, Inc.

A mud kitchen was also installed at the bottom of the hillside, along with a fruit and vegetable garden.  In addition to the garden, fruit trees also give the children exposure to growing healthy foods.

Address: 1235 Sanders Road, Benson, NC 27504

Phone Number: (919) 796-2243

County: Wilson
Local Partnership: Johnston

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 63

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

ABC Academy

ABC Academy, located in Black Creek in Wilson County, has installed a large, double looped primary pathway to organize their large outdoor learning environment.  They have always gardened with the children, and they have installed a larger garden area inside of their OLE to encourage healthy eating as part of the Shape NC project.

ABC Academy has naturalized their outdoor learning environment by adding trees, including fruit trees.  They have also installed an arbor, mud kitchen, acoustic play and teepee.

Address: 112 Church St. Black Creek, NC 27813

Phone Number: (252) 243-2315

County: Wilson
Local Partnership: Wilson County Partnership for Children

NC Star Rating: 4

Capacity: 141

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2017)

After Renovation (2019)

Shape NC

Kidsworld Learning Center

Kidsworld Learning Center made improvements to their already diverse outdoor learning environment.  They added a double-looped primary pathway, mud kitchen, and low multipurpose stage, in addition to a large outdoor classroom area and covered loose parts play area.

A fruit and vegetable garden gives the children and teachers a setting to explore growing healthy food and learn about the growing cycle, and fruit trees provide additional snacking opportunities as well as shade.

Address: 2602 Byerly Drive, Wilson, NC 27896

Phone Number: (252) 243-6725

County: Wilson
Local Partnership: Wilson County Partnership for Children

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 176

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Kidstown Child Care and Learning Center

Kidstown Learning Center in Wilson, NC energized an underused open area by adding a large double-looped primary pathway for wheeled toys.  They added an arbor over the path for shade and planted fruit trees for healthy snacks and pockets of shade.

They are also growing healthy snacks in new fruit and vegetable gardens.  A mud kitchen and teepee are settings for dramatic play, as well as places to interact with natural materials, and an acoustic wall was installed for sensory play.

Address: 301 Tarboro St Sw, Wilson, NC 27893

Phone Number: (252) 206-1777

County: Wilson
Local Partnership: Wilson County Partnership for Children

NC Star Rating: 4

Capacity: 125

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Creative Learning

​Creative Learning Center’s outdoor learning environment, located in Raleigh, NC, made good use out of large planters and timber edging to add some natural elements to an asphalt parking lot.  Small shade trees were intended for the planters, but the center needed to move locations.  Luckily, they will be able to move the planters with them, and plant the trees at their new site!

Address: 3933 New Bern Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27610

Phone Number: (919) 760-9876

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 4

Capacity: 89

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)