The Nature Explore Classroom at

Nestled in the heart of Long Beach, California, our early childhood center holds the distinction of being the city’s first and only Nature Explore Certified program—a milestone that reflects our deep commitment to connecting children with the natural world in meaningful ways. This certification embodies our philosophy that children thrive when they can explore, discover, and learn through direct engagement with nature.

Our outdoor classroom spans a thoughtfully designed landscape that serves as a living laboratory for young minds. At the heart of our program lies our full-size working garden, where children experience the complete cycle of growth from seed to harvest. Rows of vibrant vegetables and fruit trees provide hands-on lessons in science, nutrition, and responsibility as children plant, tend, and eventually enjoy the fruits of their labor. Our native plantings showcase the unique beauty of Southern California’s ecosystem, teaching children to appreciate and protect their local environment.

Perhaps our most treasured feature is our Monarch Milkweed Meadow, a dedicated habitat that supports the incredible journey of monarch butterflies. Children witness the miraculous transformation from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, fostering deep connections with wildlife cycles and environmental stewardship.

Community collaboration has been essential to our program’s success. When we needed to remove an aging wooden climbing structure, we saw an opportunity rather than an obstacle. The children eagerly participated in creating our extra-large dig zone, transforming the space into an archaeological playground where imagination and discovery flourish daily. Families rallied together, donating both time and materials to construct a new natural climbing area that challenges children’s physical development while maintaining our commitment to natural materials and sustainable design.

Our journey toward creating Long Beach’s premier nature-based learning environment continues with exciting plans for the future. We envision enhancing our gathering area to better accommodate group learning experiences and community celebrations. The expansion of our music area will provide more opportunities for children to create natural symphonies using instruments crafted from organic materials and spaces designed for acoustic exploration.

A particularly meaningful goal is achieving certification as a Monarch Butterfly Waystation, officially recognizing our meadow as a vital habitat in the monarchs’ migration route. This designation will formalize our role in supporting these magnificent creatures while providing children with an even deeper understanding of their environmental impact and responsibility.

Perhaps most visibly, we plan to overhaul our school entrance, transforming it into a natural gateway that immediately communicates our values and approach to all who visit. This entrance will serve as the first impression of our nature-centered philosophy, welcoming families into a space where learning and nature seamlessly intertwine.

As Long Beach’s pioneering Nature Explore Certified program, we take pride in modeling how early childhood education can honor children’s innate connection to the natural world. Every day, we witness the magic that happens when children are given the freedom to explore, discover, and grow in harmony with nature—creating not just stronger students, but more compassionate, environmentally conscious citizens for our community’s future.

Address

3621 E Broadway
Long Beach, CA 90803