In the context of encouraging the use of natural outdoor settings for educational experiences with young children, survey research using photographs of outdoor settings was conducted to explore in-service early childhood educators' preferences and perceptions regarding outdoor settings and the educational opportunities and resource needs they associate with these settings. Results suggest early childhood educators perceive playgrounds as the most conducive outdoor setting for achieving educational outcomes, specifically for unstructured opportunities for play. Results are compared with preservice early childhood educators' responses from prior research, as well as with research-based characteristics of natural settings conducive to quality play. Implications for those who provide preservice preparation/in-service professional development are discussed, as are implications for environmental educators and park/land managers for supporting educators in the use of natural outdoor settings with young children.