Teddy Bear Day Care & Learning Center

The TBDC Garden Project was born about five years ago. In its infancy it was a small garden plot adjacent to the school's outdoor playspace, and each year a new element has been added. Today the project includes three raised beds, a small greenhouse, a butterfly and hummingbird garden, perennial and ornamental plantings, and a partnership with a local farm. The onsite garden includes edibles used in the school's snacks; while students grow and maintain edible plants (squash, beans, peas, salad greens) at the local farm.

Since the school is located in Michigan, its garden operations are limited by the cool weather seasons. Once the winter's snow melts this year, the school has plans to construct a natural playscape, which will include a large garden plot. A thirty yard path will lead to a 25' x 40' raised garden bed, which will contain mostly edible plantings. Shooting off of the walking path will be six learning pods: an ampitheater, a science center, an art space, dramatic play area, a musical environment, and a space for gross motor. Each of these pods will contain natural materials encouraging activities related to the theme. 

A kitchen classroom is also in the works for the TBDC Garden Project. This space will be used during school hours for the students to work with the harvest from the gardens, and also for them to gain a deeper understanding of the food system. After hours, the kitchen classroom will be used to host family cooking classes.