Amanda Milligan has spent her career investing in young learners, but her journey to leading a one-of-a-kind preschool at the Oklahoma City Zoo reflects something deeper: her commitment to finish what she starts.

Milligan, an Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City alumna, serves as the early childhood center director at Nature Explorers Preschool, where children learn through daily outdoor exploration and hands-on discovery.

Her path began in OSU-OKC’s early care education program, where she studied both child development and administration while completing practicum hours in real-world settings.

“That feedback helps you grow,” Milligan said. “You can try something, see what works and what doesn’t and keep improving.”

The program’s structure, which blends classroom learning with practical experience, helped prepare her for leadership roles across the field. Courses were intentionally sequenced, allowing each step to build on the last.

“They did a really good job of covering everything, not just one area,” she said. “Each class built on the next, so you always felt prepared.”

OSU-OKC’s early care education program continues to serve as a pipeline for workforce-ready professionals, offering flexible learning options and hands-on training in a field where demand remains high. Students gain experience in both instructional strategies and program management, equipping them to lead in a variety of early childhood settings.

For Milligan, one course in particular helped shape her approach. A curriculum class introduced her to “loose parts” play, a concept centered on using natural, open-ended materials to encourage creativity and problem-solving.

“It showed me you don’t need expensive toys,” she said. “Kids can learn just as much, if not more, from things like sticks and pine cones. They’re making their own discoveries.”

That philosophy now defines the Nature Explorers Preschool.

After more than 30 years in early childhood education, Milligan discovered the zoo’s preschool program at a pivotal moment, as the center she had led for 14 years was closing. She joined the Oklahoma City Zoo team to help transition the program from a part-time offering into a full-time, immersive experience.

“I didn’t even know the zoo had a preschool,” she said. “When I found it, I thought, ‘This is the coolest job ever.’”

Today, the program emphasizes outdoor learning in all conditions. Children begin their day outside, explore the zoo grounds for up to two hours and participate in lessons shaped by their environment.

They also connect with zoo staff through activities like “snack and chat,” where employees share their roles and help children understand how the organization operates.

“We’re helping them understand how everything works together,” Milligan said.

The preschool also reflects the zoo’s conservation mission. Students practice sustainability through composting, recycling and reducing waste, while building independence by serving meals and cleaning up after themselves.

“They’re capable of so much,” Milligan said. “It builds confidence and independence.”

Families have taken notice. Milligan said parents often share how their children’s confidence and curiosity have grown, along with the knowledge they bring home each day.

“We hear from parents about how much their kids have grown,” she said. “They’re trying new things and asking questions.”

That growth mirrors the mindset Milligan developed during her time at OSU-OKC, where persistence and purpose guided her path. It is a mindset she now passes on to the children in her care, encouraging them to explore, to learn and to keep going.

“Ten years ago, I never imagined I’d be running a nature-based preschool at the zoo,” she said. “Just take in everything you can learn. It will lead you where you’re supposed to be.”

As programs like OSU-OKC’s early care education continue to prepare students for meaningful careers, Milligan’s story stands as a reminder that success often comes from staying the course and seeing things through.

In her classroom and beyond, that lesson is simple: finish what you start.