What's Happening?
Tracy Aviary in South Salt Lake is set to open Utah's first nature-based preschool, Wonderbloom Nature Play School, in August 2026. The initiative aims to immerse children in outdoor learning environments,
utilizing 12 acres at the Nature Center at Pia Okwai. The preschool will focus on teaching children through nature, with the goal of nurturing future conservationists. The program plans to accommodate 40 children on-site and 150 annually, emphasizing outdoor activities for 75% of the time. The initiative addresses the child care crisis in Utah, offering scholarships and subsidies to make child care more affordable. The preschool is part of a broader effort by Tracy Aviary to inspire conservation action and protect bird habitats.
Why It's Important?
The opening of Wonderbloom Nature Play School represents a significant shift in early childhood education, emphasizing outdoor learning and environmental stewardship. This approach not only addresses the child care crisis by providing affordable options but also aims to cultivate a generation of conservationists. By integrating nature into education, the preschool seeks to improve children's social skills, reduce anxiety, and enhance health and academic outcomes. The initiative highlights the importance of accessible child care and the need for innovative solutions to support families and educators, potentially influencing broader educational practices and policies.
What's Next?
Wonderbloom Nature Play School plans to expand its reach, with potential future sites in Summit County. The preschool is exploring partnerships with other organizations to increase child care availability. As the school prepares to open, it will focus on staff support to prevent burnout, offering benefits like scholarships for employees' children and medical coverage. The initiative may inspire similar programs across the U.S., promoting nature-based education as a viable model for early childhood development. The success of this program could lead to increased advocacy for integrating nature into educational settings nationwide.
