Early Childhood Outdoor Learning Environments is a non-credit certificate program for professionals and volunteers. The target audience is early childhood educators practicing in childcare centers; however, others may be interested--such as landscape design/build, horticultural, and park and recreation professionals, college instructors, cooperative extension agents, and volunteers with an interest in advancing outdoor quality for young children. The goal of the program is to transfer knowledge about participatory design processes and tools to improve childcare outdoor learning environments with the objective of supporting healthy, active lifestyles, and learning through nature for young children. You will gain the skills and understanding required to create, manage, promote, organize, and administer high-quality outdoor learning environments for young children (i.e., the early childhood years, 0-7) and accompanying adults.  

This certificate program consists of 8 modules to be completed online, with an optional face-to-face education session (mainly for North Carolina participants).

See specific content information in "Learning Outcomes."