About
The Nature Preschool offers daily nature free play, STEAM choice time, arts and crafts, hikes, group games, and closing circles as part of its regular routine. Children take part in Morning and Afternoon Meetings, independent reading, themed stories, reading comprehension, sensory activities, early math, and activities that support fine and large motor development, social skills development, and creative thinking in STEAM. The program also includes making music with natural instruments like shells, sticks, or rocks, playing peek-a-boo with large leaves, using sensory bins filled with natural textures such as bark, sand, rocks, and rice, and exploring with magnifying glasses, scoopers, and tongs.
• Ages: 2.5–7 years old
• Schedule: Full-day option 8:00am–3:00pm and half-day options 8:00am–12:00pm or 12:00pm–3:00pm
The daily rhythm includes 8:00am arrival with nature free play or STEAM choice, a 9:15am Morning Meeting with potty/diapering, a 10:00am snack with independent reading, and 10:30am STEAM activities, nature free play, arts and crafts, or hikes. Around 11:40am there is clean-up and a closing circle, followed by 12:00pm dismissal or lunch, then 12:30pm planned STEAM activities, nature free play, arts and crafts, or hikes. The afternoon continues with a 1:30pm Afternoon Meeting with potty/diapering, a 2:15pm snack with independent reading, and a 2:45pm group activity or game and closing circle before 3:00pm dismissal.
The Nature Preschool is primarily an outside preschool with an indoor/outdoor environment and natural surroundings. The program notes that environmental awareness is supported as children develop a connection to nature and gain an early understanding of the environment’s importance, and that this promotes ecological literacy. It also states that health and well-being are promoted through physical activity, and that nature play includes physical activities, social opportunities, a sensory-rich environment, and chances to explore, ask questions, and gain self-confidence. The program describes that studies in the US show children in nature-based education have significant gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math, and that nature-based education has been shown to improve moods, promote healthy development and well-being, and support positive environmental attitudes and values.
The Nature Preschool states that children best express themselves and learn through a balance of open-ended play, socializing with peers, and a variety of activities, and that through this they learn negotiation skills, concepts of sharing and friendships, and social resilience. The program uses open-ended, natural resources so children use all their senses to learn about the world around them, and describes “figuring out on their own” through repetition and practice as the best way for children to learn. The mission explains that the program takes a holistic approach to teaching, focuses on the whole child, and has children as active participants in their learning process. It states that it is a priority to recognize each child’s interests, provide a safe, interactive, and natural environment, stimulate curiosity, and encourage children’s dreams and visions, and that it combines Eastern and Western teaching strategies while considering all children as individuals.
The program is led by Mrs. Marilyn (also referred to as Ms. Marilyn), who reports more than 35 years of experience working with children. Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development, a Master’s Degree in Child Development, a Director's Teacher Center Permit, and attendance at many educational conferences.
The program advises that children wear clothing that can get dirty and that allows comfortable movement, and suggests layering for cold mornings and warm afternoons. When it rains, the program notes that there will be dancing and playing in the rain, and that rain boots, rain pants, waterproof jackets, or one-piece waterproof suits are appropriate to reduce the need for multiple clothing changes.
One parent, Kaitlyn G, shares that her boys have attended The Nature Preschool since they were two, that they enjoyed the focus on nature and being outdoors, and that they liked the animals, exploring, and playing in the dirt. She describes the school as play-based with many lessons incorporated into play, and reports that her oldest son’s kindergarten teacher said his preschool prepared him well. Another parent, Veronica C, describes The Nature Preschool as “a gem and an extraordinary place for early childhood education” and calls her child’s experience “nothing short of magical.” She highlights Ms. Marilyn’s kindness, care, and compassion during her son’s transition to preschool, notes the indoor/outdoor experience and natural surroundings, and reports that her son thrived emotionally, socially, and academically and showed increased confidence and enthusiasm over nearly two years. She also mentions a strong sense of community and ongoing contact with friends and Ms. Marilyn after moving on to transitional kindergarten.
Last updated July 16, 2026.
• Ages: 2.5–7 years old
• Schedule: Full-day option 8:00am–3:00pm and half-day options 8:00am–12:00pm or 12:00pm–3:00pm
The daily rhythm includes 8:00am arrival with nature free play or STEAM choice, a 9:15am Morning Meeting with potty/diapering, a 10:00am snack with independent reading, and 10:30am STEAM activities, nature free play, arts and crafts, or hikes. Around 11:40am there is clean-up and a closing circle, followed by 12:00pm dismissal or lunch, then 12:30pm planned STEAM activities, nature free play, arts and crafts, or hikes. The afternoon continues with a 1:30pm Afternoon Meeting with potty/diapering, a 2:15pm snack with independent reading, and a 2:45pm group activity or game and closing circle before 3:00pm dismissal.
The Nature Preschool is primarily an outside preschool with an indoor/outdoor environment and natural surroundings. The program notes that environmental awareness is supported as children develop a connection to nature and gain an early understanding of the environment’s importance, and that this promotes ecological literacy. It also states that health and well-being are promoted through physical activity, and that nature play includes physical activities, social opportunities, a sensory-rich environment, and chances to explore, ask questions, and gain self-confidence. The program describes that studies in the US show children in nature-based education have significant gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math, and that nature-based education has been shown to improve moods, promote healthy development and well-being, and support positive environmental attitudes and values.
The Nature Preschool states that children best express themselves and learn through a balance of open-ended play, socializing with peers, and a variety of activities, and that through this they learn negotiation skills, concepts of sharing and friendships, and social resilience. The program uses open-ended, natural resources so children use all their senses to learn about the world around them, and describes “figuring out on their own” through repetition and practice as the best way for children to learn. The mission explains that the program takes a holistic approach to teaching, focuses on the whole child, and has children as active participants in their learning process. It states that it is a priority to recognize each child’s interests, provide a safe, interactive, and natural environment, stimulate curiosity, and encourage children’s dreams and visions, and that it combines Eastern and Western teaching strategies while considering all children as individuals.
The program is led by Mrs. Marilyn (also referred to as Ms. Marilyn), who reports more than 35 years of experience working with children. Her educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development, a Master’s Degree in Child Development, a Director's Teacher Center Permit, and attendance at many educational conferences.
The program advises that children wear clothing that can get dirty and that allows comfortable movement, and suggests layering for cold mornings and warm afternoons. When it rains, the program notes that there will be dancing and playing in the rain, and that rain boots, rain pants, waterproof jackets, or one-piece waterproof suits are appropriate to reduce the need for multiple clothing changes.
One parent, Kaitlyn G, shares that her boys have attended The Nature Preschool since they were two, that they enjoyed the focus on nature and being outdoors, and that they liked the animals, exploring, and playing in the dirt. She describes the school as play-based with many lessons incorporated into play, and reports that her oldest son’s kindergarten teacher said his preschool prepared him well. Another parent, Veronica C, describes The Nature Preschool as “a gem and an extraordinary place for early childhood education” and calls her child’s experience “nothing short of magical.” She highlights Ms. Marilyn’s kindness, care, and compassion during her son’s transition to preschool, notes the indoor/outdoor experience and natural surroundings, and reports that her son thrived emotionally, socially, and academically and showed increased confidence and enthusiasm over nearly two years. She also mentions a strong sense of community and ongoing contact with friends and Ms. Marilyn after moving on to transitional kindergarten.
Last updated July 16, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.