Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has opened enrollment for Little Paws Preschool, a state-accredited outdoor nature-based program for early-childhood education [1, 2].

The initiative represents a shift toward immersive environmental learning for young children. By integrating a zoo campus into the curriculum, the program seeks to foster early connections between students and the natural world through direct experience.

Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the program is designed to move the classroom outdoors [1]. This approach emphasizes exploration and nature-based learning as the primary vehicles for early development. The zoo said enrollment opened this week [1].

Little Paws Preschool operates under state accreditation, ensuring that the outdoor setting meets established educational and safety standards for preschool-aged children [1, 2]. The curriculum focuses on nature-based learning to provide a foundation for early education that differs from traditional indoor classroom settings.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo provides the infrastructure and environment for the program. The zoo's campus serves as a living laboratory where students can observe animals and plants in a managed setting [1].

Enrollment for the program began in July 2026 [1]. The zoo said it is now accepting applications for students to join the state-accredited curriculum.

“Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has opened enrollment for Little Paws Preschool.”

The launch of Little Paws Preschool reflects a growing trend in early-childhood education toward 'forest schools' and outdoor-centric pedagogy. By securing state accreditation, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is bridging the gap between informal nature exploration and formal educational requirements, potentially increasing the accessibility of nature-based learning for families in the Colorado Springs area.