Fko Winthrop Finalizes Grant-Funded Outdoor Nature Classroom

Special to the Transcript

Over 130 children attending For Kids Only Afterschool (FKO) are now able to enjoy a state-of-the-art outdoor nature classroom for years to come. FKO was one of 17 organizations within the state awarded funding from the Governor’s Capital Investment Plan for an Early Education and Out-of-School Time (EEOST) capital improvement grant. This funding was provided to childcare organizations to support major renovations and construction projects that will help expand capacity and improve the quality of learning environments for children in Massachusetts. FKO chose to use these grant funds to create an outdoor nature classroom allows children to move seamlessly between indoor and outdoor learning environments. Designed by StudioMLA and constructed by EMC2, the outdoor classroom includes instructional areas, gardens, sensory paths, climbing and active play spaces, and is intentionally designed to encourage children to step away from screens and technology and move outdoors to enjoy hands-on exploration, imagination, and physical play. This capital project maximizes the number of school-age youth from Winthrop who can access and benefit from high-quality, outdoor enrichment programming during non-school hours this year and for many years to come. “It is a critical time to invest in our early education and care programs,” said Early Education and Care Acting Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “These investments will not only help ensure our children, and their teachers, spend time in high-quality and dynamic learning environments, but will also support essential capacity at programs across the Commonwealth so that more families can go to or return to work.” FKO extends their gratitude to the Governor’s Administration for their continued support and financial resources. Families interested in registering for FKO programming in Winthrop may visit fkoafterschool.org or reach out to Nick Jean Baptiste, District Director at njeanbaptiste@fkoafterschool.org.