HIDDEN VALLEY LAKE, Calif. – Bundle of Joy Nature Preschool Childcare, located in the Ranchos of Hidden Valley Lake, is now entering its third year as a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

Bundle of Joy became Northern California’s first Certified Nature Explore Classroom after receiving national certification from the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation on May 19, 2015.

Bundle of Joy Nature Preschool Childcare, owned and directed by Jean Goulart, M.A., joins a growing network of organizations and institutions that have created effective nature-based outdoor learning environments for children.

This network allows for idea-sharing, peer support and continuous development.

Nature Explore Classrooms are part of the Nature Explore program, a collaborative project of the Arbor Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foundation developed in response to the growing disconnect between children and nature.

Certified Nature Explore Classrooms help fill the void by integrating research-based outdoor learning opportunities into children’s daily lives.

Children who learn and grow in Certified Nature Explore Classrooms enhance concentration, develop creativity and problem-solving, relieve stress and improve skills in many areas of development.

These outdoor classrooms are required to meet established criteria on an annual basis for recertification.

“Developing skills in a variety of domains simultaneously is referred to as whole-child learning,” said Goulart. “Children lead by their interest with a caring and nurturing adult allow each child to explore and develop a connection to the natural world through engaging in open-ended play.”

More information on Bundle of Joy Preschool Childcare may be found at https://certified.natureexplore.org/bundle-joy-preschool-childcare-2/ .