The Growing Need for Nature-Based Preschools in Utah
Like other states, Utah faces a significant shortage of childcare options, particularly high-quality preschool programs. According to the Utah Childcare Solutions Report (2024) produced by Early Learning Policy Group, LLC, Salt Lake County alone has a 29% supply gap in childcare for children under six. Even more concerning, eight Utah counties—Beaver, Kane, Emery, Morgan, Daggett, Piute, Rich, and Wayne—have a supply gap of 76-100%. As Utah continues to grow, the demand for affordable, developmentally appropriate preschool programs will only increase. The quality of the preschool programs matters and is directly related to child outcomes (Utah Childcare Solutions Report, 2024), which Utah must explore innovative ways to expand and create more accessible educational opportunities for preschool aged children and their families.
One promising solution is nature-based preschool—a model that integrates outdoor learning with early childhood education. Nature-based programs not only provide significant developmental benefits but may also help offset operational costs by utilizing existing outdoor spaces (note: in order to be a full-time preschool, centers must obtain state licensure, and therefore must have a building to operate out of). These preschools function in various formats but share a common goal: connecting children to the natural world physically, emotionally, and intellectually. Learning can take place in classrooms, parks, or even trails, with nature serving as a tool for teaching core skills and subjects.
The Benefits of Nature-Based Preschools
Current research showcases improved physical, mental, and social well-being in children that spend adequate time outside, particularly in learning environments. The Children and Nature Network’s Research Digest highlights the literature on nature-based learning in the early years. This digest emphasizes the social-emotional developmental benefits and enhanced play of nature-based learning (Ardoin and Bowers, 2020) (Johnstone et. al., 2022). Additionally, a comparative study based in the United States found that preschoolers attending a nature-based preschool had advanced executive functioning skills compared to their peers in non-nature-based programs (Zamzow and Ernst, 2020). Overall, the research clearly showcases the importance of spending time outside and the ways in which nature-based learning can enhance development.
Nature-Based Preschools in Utah
Despite these benefits, nature-based preschools remain a novelty in Utah. Most existing programs operate as “forest schools,” where children are dropped off at parks or trailheads for fully outdoor learning. A few offer hybrid models with both indoor and outdoor components, though very few provide full-time care. This presents a challenge for working families—66% of Utah parents report needing two full-time incomes to cover household expenses (Utah Childcare Solutions Report, 2024).
Here are some of the nature-based preschools currently operating in Utah:
Community Cooperative Nature School - Salt Lake CIty
Community Roots Forest School- Saratoga Springs
Honeybee Nature School - Ogden
In the Pines - Park City
Kiddie Garden Preschool - St. George
Marbles Farm - Heber City
Off We Go Nature Preschool - Millcreek
Sego Lily Children’s Garden - Moab
Southern Utah Nature School - St. George
Stokes Nature Preschool - Logan
The Childs Element - Bountiful
Wasatch Nature School - Provo
Wildwood Forest School - Provo
WildWorks Nature School - Logan
Wonderbloom Nature School - Murray
Challenges Facing Nature-Based Preschools
To better understand the challenges of nature-based education, Nature and Human Health Utah spoke with Sarah Stone, Executive Director of Wonderbloom. She explained the financial strain on childcare centers, stating:
“The economy of childcare doesn’t work on its own—you need people to care for people. Yet, what parents can pay doesn’t match what teachers deserve. Without bold solutions, particularly government support, the gap remains. This past year, I cut my own pay by 25% rather than cut my teachers’—and that is a reality not singular to our experience at Wonderbloom. Every center out there is facing some type of financial challenge.”
Looking Ahead
At Nature and Human Health Utah, we advocate for increasing access to the outdoors to promote health and well-being. Nature-based preschools not only address the childcare gap in Utah but also promote a lifelong connection to the environment. By exposing children to nature at an early age, we increase the likelihood that they will continue to engage with and care for the natural world as they grow. Expanding these programs, securing funding, and advocating for policy support can help Utah move toward a future where all children have access to high-quality, nature-based education.