About our Program
Our nature explore play school incorporates elements inspired by the forest school philosophy, melded with a play-based preschool program, in a home-based facility. Children in our preschool program engage in Nature Play Days weekly, in which we meet at a local nature space/wilderness area to interact with the natural world in our local community. The remainder of the week is spent at our outdoor preschool facility located in Windsor, CA. All elements of our program are organized so that children are encouraged to explore, take risks, be creative and imaginative, and act as problem-solvers. We strive to instill values of intrinsic motivation, self-worth, and respect for others as well as for the environment. A relationship-based approach is used, encouraging positive interactions among peers as well as teachers, and extending to building a positive, respectful relationship with the earth. We model empathy, compassion, and conflict resolution and encourage children to communicate their needs and feelings to one another in a positive manner.
We maintain a small, intimate group of 12 children and 2 teachers. Our program serves children ages 2 through 6. Children attend 2, 3 or 4 days/week.
Some aspects of our program include:
We maintain a small, intimate group of 12 children and 2 teachers. Our program serves children ages 2 through 6. Children attend 2, 3 or 4 days/week.
Some aspects of our program include:
- Experiences in yoga and mindfulness
- Play tools, materials, and equipment are open-ended in order to foster the development of imagination and creativity in children. Objects in nature are often the tools used in our play, especially during Nature Play Days.
- Our indoor & outdoor preschool facility reflects a value in child-directed learning, rich outdoor experiences, and gardening.
- Our eco-healthy environment incorporates waste reduction and awareness of our impact on the environment. We use all-natural cleansers, reusable towels and dishes, and encourage the use of cloth diapers/wipes for children using diapers. Additionally, we maintain a "leave no trace" mindset while on Nature Play Days and ask families to pack a waste-free lunch.
Schedule Options
We offer 2, 3 and 4 day/week schedule options. We are open from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Thursday, and children attend our program part-day (9:00-1:00) or full day (9:00-3:00).