Heikinharju Nature Shelter

Heikinharju Nature Shelter is a development unit of the city of Oulu's early childhood education and care, nature education, and STEAM, which expands the learning environment of daycare centres. The operations started in 2021 with a state funding for Innovative Innovatiiviset oppimisympäristöt varhaiskasvatuksessa fund, and the operations were made permanent as a development unit for early childhood education and care in August 2022.

The task of the Nature Shelter is to:

• plan and implement experiential and experience-based activity paths, workshops, and excursions in the vicinity of daycare centres and in and around the Nature Shelter.
• development and support of nature education activities promoting a learning path toward a sustainable future and deepens nature education with the help of STEAM pedagogy and equipment

The cornerstones of the Nature Shelter are:

• the city's early childhood education and preschool curriculum
• the city's environmental programme
• Being from Oulu

The activities of the Nature Shelter is organized at:

• the surroundings of the Heikinharju Nature Shelter
• Timosenkoski nature school hiking area (Huutilampi, Parsiaismaa lean-to, the Adventure Trail)
• daycare centres
• the forests and parks near daycare centres

Contact information

Heikinharju Nature Shelter, Heikinharjuntie 50, 90620 Oulu, heikinharju.luontokoto@ouka.fi

Anne Ylitalo, Early childhood education development teacher tel. 040 525 6134
Anu Lassuri, Early childhood education development teacher tel. 040 585 5344