Amplify the voices of nature-based educators

The landscape of early childhood is changing.

Governor Pritzker has initiated a new agency to oversee everything related to Early Childhood Education, projected to open in 2027. The development of the new agency is a public process. Nature-based educators should be part of the conversation about what early childhood education looks like in our state. Illinois Early Childhood Outdoors is organizing a state-wide network of educators to build momentum around this issue.

Time outdoors is critical for children’s growth and development.

According to the North American Association for Environmental Education, U.S. children have lost 25% of playtime and 50% of unstructured outdoor activity over recent decades. The health effects of this are increased nearsightedness, ADHD, anxiety, obesity, and more. Conversely, research shows that significant time spent outdoors improves executive functioning skills, as well as motor, cognitive and social skills in children. And parents agree: nature preschools are currently in high demand, partially due to increasing recommendations from pediatricians that children spend more time playing outside.

Help our organization grow and change.

Illinois Early Childhood Outdoors, formerly known as Forest Schools for Illinois, is raising money to help with the transition to becoming a fully fledged non-profit organization that can pay ts own expenses without relying on endless help from volunteers.

We currently pay approximately $1000/ year on costs related to our communications and website management, as well as bringing pop-up playground materials to in-person events. We are an all-volunteer organization and this money comes entirely from donations, out of pocket costs, and our own labor.

We are also seeking seed funds to support becoming a 501(c)3 organization, from which we will be able to apply for larger grants and network more effectively with other non-profits and government organizations.