Children thrive in nature.

Our mission is to make this the global standard.

The International Association of Forest Kindergartens brings together educators, researchers, and leaders who believe that early childhood belongs outdoors — where curiosity, resilience, and well-being naturally grow.

We are an international association dedicated to advancing forest kindergartens and nature-based early childhood education worldwide.

Founded in Slovenia, we are building a global community of professionals committed to:

• supporting the healthy development of children,

• promoting learning through direct experience in nature,

• strengthening the well-being of educators and communities.

Our work connects knowledge, practice, and vision — creating a strong foundation for the future of education.

Who We Are

We advance the well-being, development, and lifelong resilience of young children by promoting nature-based early childhood education worldwide.

Through global collaboration, we:

• connect educators, researchers, and institutions,

• share knowledge and best practices,

• support the development of quality standards,

• inspire transformative approaches to early learning.

🌿 Our Mission

🌿 Why It Matters

In a rapidly changing world, children need more than academic preparation.

They need:

• resilience,

• emotional balance,

• connection to themselves, others, and nature.

Forest kindergartens provide a proven environment where children develop these essential life skills — naturally, holistically, and sustainably.

🌿What We Do

We are building a global platform that supports and elevates nature-based early childhood education through:

• International network building
  Connecting professionals and organizations worldwide

• Knowledge exchange
  Sharing research, experience, and innovative practices

• Education & professional development
  Supporting educators in their growth and well-being

• Advocacy & awareness
  Promoting the importance of nature in early childhood

• Quality development
  Contributing to the creation of high standards in the field.

🌿Founding Experts

Dušan Bartůněk, Ph.D.

Elizabeth Henderson, Ph.D

Uroš Jelen

Dušan Bartůněk is a visionary educator and a pioneer in the field of outdoor learning and experiential pedagogy. With over 25 years of experience, Bartůněk serves as the Managing Director of Outdoored, where he has led hundreds of international training courses across Europe—from the forests of Sweden to the landscapes of Iceland and Cyprus. His work focuses on transforming "nature into a classroom," utilizing sensory-based learning and experiential games to foster resilience, creativity, and ecological awareness in both students and educators. His leadership in the IAFK represents a significant step forward in uniting forest kindergarten movements globally and ensuring that the next generation thrives in harmony with nature.

Elizabeth Henderson is a distinguished researcher and a pioneer in the field of nature pedagogy and early years wellbeing. With over 40 years of experience in education, Dr. Henderson is the founder of the transformative Nature Nurture project and the "Wee Green Spaces" initiative in Scotland, which has paved the way for integrating the natural world into early childhood care. Her work focuses on "narrating the heart of practice," utilizing sensory-based nature experiences and therapeutic outdoor engagement to foster deep emotional resilience and ecological belonging in young children. Her leadership in the IAFK is instrumental in bridging rigorous academic research with grassroots practice, ensuring that the global forest kindergarten movement remains grounded in child-centered and restorative values.

Uroš Jelen is a specialist in kinesiotherapy and a leading expert in the integration of physical movement within forest pedagogy. With extensive expertise in sport science and advanced training from institutions in the UK and Germany, Jelen has dedicated his career to the "natural movement" of children. As a core professional contributor to the Slovenian Network of Forest Kindergartens and Schools, his work focuses on how the diverse, uneven terrain of the forest serves as a unique classroom for neuro-motor development and physical resilience. His approach bridges the gap between kinesiotherapy and outdoor play, empowering educators to view nature as a primary tool for children's healthy brain development and long-term well-being.

Join the Movement

We are at the beginning of something meaningful — a global shift in how we understand early childhood.

Whether you are an educator, researcher, institution, or supporter, we invite you to be part of this journey.

Be part of shaping a global movement in early childhood education.

Global Directory Member

Be visible. Be connected. Be part of the global map.

We invite forest kindergartens, nature-based initiatives, and organizations worldwide to join our Global Directory.

By becoming a free member, you will:

• be featured on our global map

• present your work to an international audience

• connect with a growing global network

This is the first step in building a worldwide community.