Black Educator Network x Urban Sprouts: 2025 Site Tour
This summer, the Black Educator Network will participate in a unique opportunity visiting Urban Sprouts Child Development Center in St Louis, Missouri. During this day-long gathering, members will hear from the staff of this world-class, Black-led early childhood education program to learn about fund development, community engagement, and organizational sustainability.
Urban Sprouts is a NAEYC-accredited, Reggio-inspired, Head Start early education center that prioritizes bringing nature-based learning experiences to the children and families who need them most. Imbuing an urban setting with the natural world is no small feat, but Urban Sprouts accomplishes this with beauty and joy through play-based learning, community gardening, an onsite greenhouse, nutrition and cooking classes, and so much more!
Join the Black Educator Network in seeing this program in action and get inspired to take your program to the next level with actionable, interactive learning.
This study tour and visit will include:
- A curated panel discussion with expert ECE educators and leaders about fundraising, strategic planning, community-building, and environment-centered learning experiences and their importance for communities impacted by racism and poverty
- A lunch-and-learn focused on resource development and strategic ideation
- A tour and observation of Urban Sprouts’ NAEYC-accredited, Reggio Emilia-inspired early learning center
- A tour and exploration of Urban Sprouts maker’s space to inspire sustainable pedagogical practice
- Observation of gardening, nutrition, and outdoor learning experiences
- A culminating off-site debrief dinner where the group will have time to be in community while processing their day of experiences
Event Details
Date: Monday, July 28, 2025
Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm CT
Location: Urban Sprouts Child Development Center
Cost: There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. The deadline to register is Friday, June 13.
Book A Room
Le Méridian St. Louis Clayton
You can book a room at Le Méridian St. Louis Clayton at a discounted rate of $159/night by following this link or by calling 314-863-0400 and asking for the Urban Sprouts Site Visit rate. This rate applies to stays from July 27-29. Check-in time is after 4:00 pm CT and check-out time is before 12:00 pm. Guests arriving before 4:00 pm will be assigned rooms as they become available.
To take advantage of the discounted rate, you must book your room by July 4, 2025.
Book your room at Le Méridian here
Getting There and Parking
Le Méridian' St. Louis Clayton is offering a discounted parking garage rate of $10/day, per vehicle. Upon arrival at the parking garage, retrieve your parking ticket at the entrance kiosk, and present it to the hotel's front desk team to retrieve your voucher.
There are also street parking options available along Bonhomme Avenue.
Accessibility
Le Méridian St. Louis has accessible sleeping rooms and other accessible amenities. When booking your hotel room, you can request specific aids or services required for your stay. If you have any specific questions related to accessibility, contact the hotel at (314) 863-0400.
Urban Sprouts Child Development Center is happy to make on-site accommodations where possible for accessibility needs. If you have any specific questions or concerns related to accessibility, contact Tykea Mathews at [email protected].