British Columbia’s outdoor play culture — and Coquitlam’s green spaces — make nature-based early learning a natural fit. Quality licensed daycares in BC don’t just schedule outdoor time; they treat the outdoor environment as a classroom. Here’s what nature-based learning looks like at a licensed infant and toddler daycare, and why it matters for development.
What Nature-Based Learning Means in BC Early Childhood
The BC Early Learning Framework (BCELF) positions the natural environment as a rich context for learning — not just a break from indoor activity. Nature-based learning is intentional: educators use outdoor spaces to extend language, motor, scientific thinking, and social development.
What Infants and Toddlers Learn Outdoors
| Age Group | Outdoor Learning Focus |
|---|---|
| Infants (3–12 months) | Sensory exposure — wind, textures, natural light, birdsong; tummy time on grass |
| Young toddlers (12–24 months) | Gross motor — walking on uneven terrain, climbing, pulling; sensory exploration |
| Older toddlers (24–36 months) | Cause-and-effect — pouring, digging, observing bugs; social play in outdoor settings |
The “All Weather” Standard in Quality BC Daycares
Quality licensed daycares in Coquitlam schedule outdoor play in all weather — rain, overcast, cold — with appropriate gear. This aligns with both BCELF principles and Scandinavian early education research linking outdoor exposure to immune function, regulation capacity, and physical development. Centres that cancel outdoor time at the first drizzle are not following best practice.
- Splash suits, rain boots, and waterproof layers — parents pack these; quality centres expect them
- Sun safety protocols in summer (sunscreen authorization, shade provision, hydration)
- Cold weather play — appropriate layers, limited duration in extreme cold
Smiling Kids — Outdoor Play Every Day
At Smiling Kids Childcare Centre in North Coquitlam, outdoor time is built into the daily schedule for infants and toddlers — not offered when conditions are “perfect.” Our outdoor space is designed for active exploration and developmentally rich play for all ages.
📞 604-600-4393 | Our BCELF play-based curriculum | Enrol at Smiling Kids
