KAEE’s Early Childhood Action Team Meets at Thrive Forest School

This month, KAEE’s Early Childhood Action Team gathered for a meaningful and inspiring meeting at Thrive Forest School, located at the Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve in Goshen, KY. Thrive Forest School offers a powerful example of nature-based early learning in action, and our time there included a guided tour of their outdoor classrooms and learning spaces, nestled within the preserve’s beautiful natural setting.

The Action Team is made up of early childhood educators and representatives from across

Kentucky, including those from higher education institutions, forest schools, nonprofits, and organizations like Child Care Aware. United by a shared passion for early learning and the environment, this group is working to expand access to outdoor time and environmental education for Kentucky’s youngest learners.

During our meeting, we discussed several exciting initiatives we’re currently working on, including nature preschool licensing and an early childhood summit planned for spring 2026.

This work is a direct reflection of a key strategy in KAEE’s Strategic Plan: Support early childhood schools and centers in implementing additional outdoor time and environmental education experiences. The formation and ongoing work of the Early Childhood Action Team is a vital step in bringing this strategy to life, helping ensure that more children across the state can benefit from meaningful experiences in nature.

We’re deeply grateful to Thrive Forest School for hosting us and to all of our Action Team members for their continued commitment to this work. Together, we are helping build a brighter, greener future for Kentucky’s children.