Press Releases: Southern California
November 19, 2009
Kaiser Permanente Creates Outdoor Classroom Space for Preschoolers in the Watts Community
The Watts Counseling and Learning Center Extends the Indoor Learning Experience to the Natural World
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Inspired by the educational concept that outdoor learning and play enriches and contributes to the well being, health, and social development of children, Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Center today unveiled and dedicated an environmentally friendly outdoor learning space for its Preschool Education for Parents and Children (PEPC). “This newly designed outdoor space is a place where young bodies and minds can grow alongside trees, vegetables and grass,” said Joanne Robinson, MEd, executive director of the Watts Center. “We are very pleased to be able to offer our community preschool children an outdoor learning area that is inviting, exciting and fun.”
The outside classroom complements what the children learn by exploring nature. For example, science lessons discussed inside would become a hands-on experience in a living environment. The outdoor space is interactive, giving children a place to climb, dig, and take in the sights, sounds and scents of their park-like surroundings.
“This renovated outdoor learning space was created to be an extension of the indoor learning environment,” said Vikki Franklin, MA, preschool manager. “It is rich with opportunities for children to explore, discover and interact with nature and each other.” The well-designed learning space is nearly 3,000 square feet and features scrubs and vines such as Ginkgo Biloba, Fortnight Lilies, Heavenly Bamboo, Hibiscus Huegeli, and Boston Ivy.
The state licensed preschool opened in 1971 and in 2005 received accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. It is the only nationally accredited preschool in its three surrounding zip codes. Twenty preschoolers attend the preschool located at 1465 E 103rd St. at the corner of Success and 103rd Street.
About Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Center
For more than 40 years, the Center has offered free or low-cost counseling, summer camps, and preschool for families living in the greater Watts area. The families need not be members of Kaiser Permanente to utilize the Center’s services. For details about all the Center’s services, call 323-564-7911. For more information about Kaiser Permanente, visit www.kaiserpermanente.org.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 3.3 million members in Southern California. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.
