Blog

Shape NC

Kinder Kastle INC

Kinder Kastle, located in Elm City, NC, has transformed their large outdoor space into a diverse natural learning environment (OLE).  They added a primary pathway to their toddler space, and a large-double looped primary pathway organizes the space in their preschool area.

The children enjoy gardening and eating snacks from their new fruit and vegetable garden.  They are also enjoying dramatic play with their new teepee and mud kitchen, and their new acoustic wall allows them to experiment with sound.  Fruit trees and an arbor with vines provide shade, as well as additional growing opportunities.

Address: 909 N Parker St, Wilson, NC 27822

Phone Number: (252) 236-3000

County: Wilson
Local Partnership: Wilson County Partnership for Children

NC Star Rating: 3

Capacity: 100

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2018)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Priceless Child Care

​Priceless Child Care, located in Raleigh, NC,  expanded their outdoor learning environment into a large, unused portion of their property.  With this extra space, they were able to add a large double-looped primary pathway for preschoolers and a looped primary pathway for toddlers.  They also added mud kitchens and water play areas.

The center has a deck between the building and OLE, and they were able to transform this space into a comfortable outdoor classroom area with the addition of a shade structure.

Address: 316 S King Charles Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610

Phone Number: (919) 231-3564

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 12

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2018)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Tammy Lynn Center

The Tammy Lynn Center in Raleigh, NC remodeled an existing playhouse to add an opening for increased supervision.  They also added a water play area and mud kitchen for sensory play opportunities.

The addition of an art and acoustic play area add more opportunities for outdoor play and learning.

Address: 739 Chappell Drive Raleigh, NC 27606

Phone Number: (919) 755-2676

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 70

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2018)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

King’s Kids Early Education and Learning Center

King’s Kids Early Education and Learning Center added a primary pathway in their preschool outdoor learning environment.  The new primary pathway connects to the existing primary pathway in their toddler area and an existing concrete pad in their preschool area.

Address: 1101 Vandora Springs Rd, Garner, NC 27529

Phone Number: (919) 720-4010

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 29

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2018)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Gingerbread Littleversity

Gingerbread Littleversity in Fuquay-Varina, NC has added multiple settings and components to their already diverse natural learning environment (OLE).  They expanded the fenced area for their one and two year olds, and added a low, multipurpose stage.  

In their other areas, they have added fruit and vegetable gardens, natural construction, sand play areas, water play areas and mud kitchens.  Hammocks provide the opportunity for resting outdoors and shade structures help make the OLE comfortable year-round. 

Address: 1521 N Main Street, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

Phone Number: (919) 552-4723

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 165

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2018)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Fairview Children’s Center

Fairview Children’s Center, located in Apex, NC, has seen their outdoor learning environment transformed into a naturalized, active and productive space.  The entire preschool and twos areas used to be covered in sand, and now they are naturalized spaces with trees, shrubs, multipurpose lawns and fruit and vegetable gardens.  They have also moved fence lines to expand the preschool and toddler/twos areas, in addition to adding a separate infant area.  

A boardwalk pathway was installed in the preschool and toddler/twos areas to encourage more physical activity.  Wheeled toy storage was added to the toddler/twos area, and the fence line was changed to include a large shed in the preschool area. 

Address: 4309 Ten Ten Road, Apex, NC 27539

Phone Number: (919) 362-0052

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 119

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2018)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Creative Schools at Davis Park

Creative Schools at Davis Park, located in Morrisville, NC, has added more opportunity for physical activity in their outdoor learning environment with the addition of curvy, looped primary pathways connected to their existing pathways in their pre-k and threes area.  They have also added low, multipurpose decks under existing shade structures in both areas for gathering and loose parts play.  

They have also transformed a previously underused shared space into a thriving fruit and vegetable garden.  They have added raised beds, blueberry bushes, a teepee for vines and a stump circle for gathering.  Small trees have been planted throughout to naturalize the outdoor learning environment and increase shade.

Address: 4523 Hopson Rd., Morrisville, NC 27560

Phone Number: (919) 474-9306

County: Durham
Local Partnership: Durham CCSA

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 150

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2017)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Asbury Preschool

Asbury Preschool, located in Durham, transformed their play area into a naturalized outdoor learning environment.  They reduced their use zone around existing equipment to add a multipurpose lawn, ornamental grasses, perennials, and a small tree. 

They also removed an existing sand play area, and replaced it with a gravel pathway with a boulder edge, dry stream bed, and bridge.  Additionally, the center has added a raised vegetable garden to increase healthy eating, as well as a low multipurpose deck and custom playhouse for increased dramatic play opportunities.

Address: 806 Clarendon Street, Durham, NC 27705

Phone Number: (919) 286-2668

County: Durham
Local Partnership: Durham CCSA

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 54

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2017)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

Triangle Day Care Center

Triangle Day Care Center, in Durham, NC,  has transformed an unused large open area into an active outdoor learning environment.  A large, double-looped primary pathway centers the space, with small trees planted nearby for increased shade.  The addition of trikes keeps the children moving.  

Stumps, balance logs, a hillside slide with a scramble wall, and a large multipurpose lawn provide additional gross motor opportunities, while a playhouse and mud kitchen provide settings for dramatic play.  The center has also added sand play and acoustic play.

Address: 1301 Riddle Rd., Durham, NC 27713

Phone Number: (919) 598-1573

County: Durham
Local Partnership: Durham CCSA

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 112

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2017)

After Renovation (2020)

Shape NC

A New Beginning

A New Beginning, in Durham, NC,  has expanded to their outdoor learning environment to include a flat, grassy area, where they installed a primary pathway for their preschoolers.  They have also installed a primary pathway for their toddlers, and are planning to enclose this area with a low interior fence.  

Stumps, logs, and tree cookies provide opportunities for gathering, balance and play.  They are also planning to install a bridge, for dramatic play opportunities.

Address: 3807 University Drive, Durham, NC 27707

Phone Number: (919) 490-1924

County: Durham
Local Partnership: Durham CCSA

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 35

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2017)

After Renovation (2020)