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Kids Korner Academy II

Kids Korner Academy II, located in Durham, NC,  has transformed an asphalt parking lot into an engaging and diverse outdoor learning environment.  Brightly painted primary pathways connect different activity settings such as an artificial turf multipurpose lawn, sand play areas, mud kitchen and acoustic walls.  The addition of balance logs, stumps for seating, and tree cookies give children the chance to  interact with more natural elements while developing fine and gross motor skills.

One of the biggest challenges they have overcome is naturalizing the outdoor learning environment with the use of large raised vegetable beds and tire planters.  They have also added an infant area adjacent to the building, so they can enjoy being outside too.

Address: 1326 Hill St., Durham, NC 27707

Phone Number: (919) 401-0900

County: Durham
Local Partnership: Durham CCSA

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 30

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2017)

After Renovation (2020)

Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers

(Wake Co.) Kreepers-N-Krawlers

Kreepers and Krawlers has moved the fence to enlarge their toddler outdoor learning environment. They are planning to add a primary pathway and raised beds in their toddler area, as well as a raised herb garden to separate a new infant area from the toddler area.  They are also planning to add a multipurpose deck to the infant area.

Address: 2733 Community Drive Raleigh, NC 27610

Phone Number: (919) 255-3418

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake County Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 138

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Plan subject to modifications*

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2021)

Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers

(Orange Co.) Spanish for Fun

Spanish for fun has created a cozy, welcoming space in their existing infant deck by adding an outdoor rug, colorful pots with sensory plantings, a bench that doubles as a storage area, and a shade sail. They have also renovated their existing wooden boardwalk in their shared toddler/preschool space, and created a new toddler corner, complete with a timber-edged pathway.  They also renovated an existing dramatic play area and a mud kitchen so that it would be more appropriately sized for toddlers.

Address: 1001 S Columbia St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Phone Number: (919) 969-9055

County: Orange
Local Partnership: Orange County Partnership for Young Children

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 100

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2021)

Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers

(Orange Co.) Goddard School of Chapel Hill

The Goddard School of Chapel Hill is planning to add a fence to create a separate infant area out of the existing shared infant/toddler area.  They are also planning to build a multipurpose infant deck under the shade of an existing tree canopy, as well as planting some trees in the infant and toddler areas.

Address: 1162 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Chapel Hill NC 27514

Phone Number: (919) 933-9022

County: Orange
Local Partnership: Orange County Partnership for Young Children

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 148

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Plan subject to modifications*

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2021)

Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers

(Wake Co.) Morrisville Square Creative School

Morrisville Square Creative School has added a primary pathway in the twos area, and are planning to add adjacent wheeled toy storage and more plantings soon. They have also created a designated outdoor gathering and gardening area, complete with raised beds, tables, and storage.

Address: 201 Morrisville Square Way, Morrisville, NC 27560

Phone Number: (919) 460-6449

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake County Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 3

Capacity: 135

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2021)

Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers

(Wake Co.) Little Believers Academy II

Little Believers has added a new infant outdoor learning environment, with a low deck and pergola. They are planning to add raised beds around the deck with sensory plantings soon, as well as small trees for more shade in the fall. They also added a large primary pathway for wheeled toys around the existing play equipment in their shared toddler/preschool space.

Address: 309 Holman Drive Garner, NC 27529

Phone Number: (919) 720-4773

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake County Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 42

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2021)

Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers

(Wake Co.) Kiddie Academy Brier Creek

Kiddie Academy of Brier Creek has transformed an existing shared toddler/preschool area by removing rubber mulch and naturalizing it by adding a large multipurpose lawn and plantings. They also added raised beds around an existing shade structure. A large new multipurpose deck provides a flexible space for gathering and play.

Address: 9920 Sellona Street Raleigh, NC 27617

Phone Number: (919) 536-7100

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake County Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 4

Capacity: 189

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2021)

Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers

(Wake Co.) Discovery Point Heritage

Discovery Point has naturalized their infants/ones area with various plantings and a large raised planter with sensory grasses, perennials and vines along the fence. Soon they will install a large multipurpose deck and pergola in the infant/ones areas. They also added a sensory garden in the twos area, as well as sand play. Grassy mounds in the infants/ones and twos areas also provided new experiences.

Address: 1212 Heritage Links Dr, Wake Forest, NC 27587

Phone Number: (919) 556-8001

County: Wake
Local Partnership: Wake County Smart Start

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 210

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2021)

Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers

(Orange Co.) The University Child Care Center

University Child Care has transformed their infant area into a diverse, engaging outdoor learning environment.  They added a multipurpose deck, complete with an outdoor rug, pillows, and a shade sail. They also added a sensory garden with a stepping stone path and porch swing. Three newly planted trees will soon provide more shade, and grasses, perennials, and shrubs have added diversity.  Walking rails and a storage area for supplies has also increased the opportunity for varied experiences.

Address: 130 Friday Center Drive Chapel Hill, NC 27517

Phone Number: (919) 929-2662

County: Orange
Local Partnership: Orange County Partnership for Young Children

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 183

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2021)

Healthy Starts: Infants/Toddlers

(Orange Co.) Lil Treasures Day Care, Inc.

Lil’ Treasures has transformed their outdoor learning environment by removing two pieces of play equipment and adding a double-looped primary pathway that connects the shared toddler and preschool space. An arbor over a low rolling gate can be opened or closed depending on how they want to use the space. They have also added settings such as a dry stream bed and bridge, a teepee, a mud kitchen, and loose parts play area. They are also hoping to get started on the infant area in the front of the building soon.

Address: 554 N. Nash Street Hillsborough, NC 27278

Phone Number: (919) 732-8242

County: Orange
Local Partnership: Orange County Partnership for Young Children

NC Star Rating: 5

Capacity: 44

Schematic Master Plan (2020)

Before Renovation (2019)

After Renovation (2021)