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Welcome to UWEC's Children's Nature Academy

Welcome to the UW-Eau Claire's Children's Nature Academy. Our program supports the healthy development of children physically, emotionally and cognitively by nurturing children's sense of wonder.

The Children's Nature Academy is a five star NECPA accredited program serving the students, faculty and staff at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire and the Chippewa Valley community. The center is located at 1190 Priory Rd, Eau Claire. Our hours of operation are 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday- Friday.

Family Handbook 2023

Waitlist Form

Thank you for your interest in the Nature Academy. We do have a waitlist and ask that you please fill out the following form. Filling out this form does not guarantee a spot. When a space becomes available, you will be notified by our enrollment coordinator.

Waitlist Form

Children's Nature Academy Logo

Our mission

To provide high quality early learning development where children connect with the natural world through developmentally appropriate learning.

Our Philosophy

The Children's Nature Academy is accredited by the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) . The center's philosophy mirrors NECPA's philosophy. The Children's Nature Academy provides a safe and nurturing environment that facilitates learning in accordance with each child's age, interests, cultural background, and his/her physical, cognitive, social, emotional and linguistic development. Teachers plan developmentally appropriate and meaningful activities that incorporate many different learning styles and multiple intelligences.

The experiences a child has at the Children's Nature Academy are supplemental to those at home. From the family each child needs love, affection, acceptance, limits, consistency and stability. The Center strives to meet these same needs in addition to providing educational opportunities and enriching experiences.

Who is eligible?

We welcome all families from UW-Eau Claire's campus and the Chippewa Valley community. We provide child care to children ages six-weeks through 12 years of age. Our various programs focus on development and interaction while learning through play and great experiences.

Licensing and Quality Standards

The Children’s Academy is one of the few centers in Eau Claire accredited by the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) . The expensive process of evaluation is based on 10 standards of quality. The program has attained NECPA accreditation, which involves a process of self-study and evaluation of the following standards:

  • Standard 1: Relationships
  • Standard 2: Curriculum
  • Standard 3: Teaching
  • Standard 4: Assessment of Child Progress
  • Standard 5: Health
  • Standard 6: Staff Competencies, Preparation, and Support
  • Standard 7: Families
  • Standard 8: Community Relationships
  • Standard 9: Physical Environment
  • Standard 10: Leadership and Management

  If you would like to learn more about this accreditation please visit: NECPA Standards

As we transition to this new accreditation, we will strive to improve our program practices through a self-study process.  Watch for details in the program newsletter. 

Despite the fact that we have chosen another accreditation program, NAEYC will continue to provide resources and current information for our program. 

Now hiring students!

For more information and to complete the UWEC Student Employment application online, visit the Student Employment page or email Sabrina Marion at claysj@uwec.edu.

The UWEC Children's Nature Academy is committed to the inclusive excellence plan of the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire

We want to hear from you

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