Surrey BC parents searching for quality licensed childcare are increasingly aware of the connection between time spent in nature and young children’s development. Nature-based and outdoor-focused early childhood programs have grown significantly in BC — and many Surrey BC licensed childcare centres incorporate nature and outdoor learning as core elements of their curriculum. This guide explains what nature-based childcare means, what research supports it, and how to find nature-forward licensed care in Surrey BC.
What “Nature-Based” Licensed Childcare Means in Surrey BC
Nature-based early childhood education exists on a spectrum:
- Outdoor play-integrated: Daily outdoor time in any weather, with natural materials (sand, water, mud, sticks, stones) incorporated into both indoor and outdoor environments. This is the minimum standard of quality licensed care — not yet “nature-based” by specialist definition.
- Nature-immersive: A significant portion of the care day is spent outdoors — garden areas, forest corners, naturalized play spaces. Weather-appropriate gear is provided; rain and mud are embraced.
- Forest school / nature school programs: Full outdoor programs where the majority of the day is spent in natural environments. In BC, these typically require specific risk management frameworks and parent consent for higher risk activities.
The Research Case for Nature-Based Learning
Multiple research streams support nature-rich early childhood programming:
- Attention restoration: Natural environments restore directed attention capacity in children — directly benefiting children with ADHD profiles and anyone after sustained cognitive effort
- Stress reduction: Cortisol measures consistently show lower stress in children who spend more time in natural environments
- Physical literacy: Uneven, natural terrain develops balance, coordination, and gross motor skills that flat, paved playgrounds don’t provide
- Scientific inquiry: Natural environments generate endless authentic scientific questions — what is this? why does it do that? what lives here? — that manufactured environments cannot replicate
- Risk tolerance and resilience: Managed risk in outdoor play (climbing, balancing, exploring) builds confidence and resilience
See our outdoor play and nature-based learning guide and outdoor learning environment guide.
Nature-Based Programming at Surrey BC Licensed Childcare: What to Look For
- Daily outdoor time in all weather (not cancelled for drizzle)
- Natural materials: sand, water, mud, sticks, rocks, shells, growing plants — in both indoor and outdoor environments
- Outdoor space with natural elements (not only manufactured equipment)
- Weather-appropriate clothing available or loan system for unexpected rain
- Educators who go outside and engage with children in nature — not supervising from a covered area
- Community nature walks integrated into the curriculum
Nature-Informed Programming at Mini Minds Childcare, Newton Surrey BC
Mini Minds Childcare integrates natural materials and daily outdoor time as curriculum essentials. Our outdoor space includes natural elements alongside equipment, and our educators go outside with children in all but extreme weather. Our Newton, Surrey BC location near Bear Creek Park enables regular community nature experiences. MCFD-licensed, MCFD-licensed. See our outdoor environment guide and licensed childcare Surrey BC guide. Book a tour — come see our outdoor program.