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Shape NC

Little Hands N Feet

Little Hands N Feet in Raleigh, NC has created a rich outdoor learning environment (OLE), with different opportunities for outdoor play and learning.  A primary pathway weaves throughout the OLE, to a low multipurpose stage with stump seating, a water play area, a mud kitchen and a wheeled toy storage area.

The center also installed a multipurpose stage in the toddler area and more storage for loose parts.

Address: 2906 Brentwood Road, Raleigh, NC 27604

Phone Numbers:(919) 981-0034 or (919) 349-6823

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 37

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Preston Children’s Academy

Preston Children’s Academy, located in Cary, NC, reworked some fencelines, to maximize their site’s potential for outdoor play and learning.  This allowed them to add a primary pathway to their preschool, toddler, and twos area to increase physical activity.  

A mud kitchen was installed in each area for dramatic play with natural loose parts.  Arbors were added for increased shade and to naturalize the areas with the addition of vines.

Address: 551 James Jackson Avenue, Cary, NC 27513

Phone Number: (919) 297-0007

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 162

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Precious Promises Academy

Precious Promises Academy in Raleigh, NC has transformed their outdoor space into a diverse outdoor learning environment (OLE).  A double-looped primary pathway anchors the OLE, and leads to a variety of settings including a mud kitchen, a stump circle, and a fruit and vegetable garden.  Pockets of trees and shrubs naturalize the space, and two arbors over the pathway also provide the opportunity for growing vines.  

They also added a new infant/toddler area, with a stepping stone pathway, walking rail, teepee, and a multipurpose lawn.  Trees and shrubs were also added to this area, to add more shade and diversity.

Address: 4301 Pearl Rd., Raleigh, NC 27610

Phone Number: (919) 884-5991

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 30

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

ABC Land Inc II

ABC Land in Wendell, NC has transformed their existing play area into an vibrant outdoor learning environment (OLE).  A large double-looped pathway and secondary pathway through a sensory garden tie different settings and components in the OLE together.  These settings include a mud kitchen, earth play area, acoustic wall, low multipurpose stage, play house and sand play area.  The addition of an open-air wheeled toy storage area adjacent to the primary pathway provides easy access to trikes.

The OLE has been naturalized with the addition of perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees.  Additionally, new fruit and vegetable gardens give the children more opportunities to experiment with growing healthy foods.

Address: 55 Liles Dean Rd., Wendell, NC 27591

Phone Number: (919) 417-8527

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 78

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Kings Kids CDC

King’s Kids Child Development Center in Durham, NC has added a shared outdoor classroom space to their outdoor learning environment.  This new area boasts a fruit and vegetable garden, ornamental plantings, a pergola, a multipurpose lawn and a shade sail.

They have also added many settings and components to their preschool and toddler areas to encourage different types of play and learning, such as mud kitchens, acoustic walls, tree cookie pathways, stump circles, and low multipurpose stages, among other additions.

Address: 1914 NC Hwy 55, Durham, NC 27707

Phone Number: (919) 680-6433

County: Durham
Local Partnership: Durham CCSA

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 30

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Sunshine Smiles Academy

Sunshine Smiles transformed their infant area by first removing a large area covered in rubber tiles.  They added a primary pathway to organize the outdoor learning environment in the toddler area, a low multipurpose-stage, and a pergola to create a transition space from the building.  A new infant area was also added with a low multipurpose stage with pergola for shade and an artificial turf multipurpose lawn.

Plantings throughout the space, including trees, shrubs, perennials, grasses, and vines for the pergolas have added much needed plants to this area for naturalization.  What a transformation!

Address: 2611 Broad St., Durham, NC 27704

Phone Number: (919) 317-1500

County: Durham
Local Partnership: Durham CCSA

NC Star Rating: 4

Capacity: 95

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Primary Colors Early Learning Center

Primary Colors Early Learning Center used Shape NC funds to improve their existing outdoor learning environment.  They added a stepping stone pathway, mud kitchen and shade said to their preschool area, and improved their infant and toddler areas with artificial turf and shade sails.

Their existing garden area, a shared common space, was refreshed with the addition of a centrally located garden work table for garden tools, seeds, and harvested produce.

Address: 3008 Dixon Rd., Durham, NC 27704

Phone Number: (919) 490-1173

County: Durham
Local Partnership: Durham CCSA

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 122

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Busy Bees

Busy Bees in Wilson, NC removed two pieces of existing play equipment to make room for more settings and components to diversify their outdoor learning environment.  They also removed the use zones for this equipment, as well as a large amount of sand. 

With the removal of the manufactured play equipment and use zones, they were able to add two winding, looping primary pathways in their toddler and preschool areas.

Address: 2302 Cedar Run Pl, Wilson, NC 27896

Phone Number: (252) 206-1900

County: Wilson
Local Partnership: Wilson County Partnership for Children

NC Star Rating: 4

Capacity: 138

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2018)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Hattie Daniels Day Care Center

Hattie Daniels Day Care Center, located in Wilson, NC added a curvy primary pathway loop onto an existing rectangular pathway, giving the children more opportunities for gross motor development.  

The addition of fruit trees and a fruit and vegetable garden allows the children to experience the wonder of growing their own healthy snacks.  A new mud kitchen also gives the children the opportunity to experiment with natural materials through dramatic play.

Address: 1900 Lipscomb Rd E, Wilson, NC 27893

Phone Number: (252) 291-4694

County: Wilson
Local Partnership: Wilson County Partnership for Children

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 258

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2018)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

The Growing Tree

The Growing Tree, located in Wilson, NC, has added a large primary pathway loop that connects to an existing pathway and the building in their twos/threes.  This provides more opportunity for wheeled toy usage and connects different play and learning settings.  They have also added a primary pathway in their toddler area. 

A mud kitchen and teepee allow for dramatic play, and a fruit and vegetable garden and fruiting trees expose children to the growing process and where healthy foods come from.

Address: 1705 Tarboro St SW, Wilson, NC 27893

Phone Number: (252) 399-8438

County: Wilson
Local Partnership: Wilson County Partnership for Children

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 150

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2018)

After Renovation (2020)