The Children's Nature Academy is an 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 PM to 5:30 PM, Monday- Friday.

The Children's Nature Academy employs professional and student staff members. Students, see our Student Employment page if you are interested in employment.

We are fortunate to be able to have a shuttle bus that transports to and from the Kjer Theatre on the lower campus of UWEC. 

Priory Shuttle Schedule

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. 

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.