Description
Our Nature Preschool uses the grounds around the Nature Center as a “living classroom” where children can develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills. Our curriculum is a comprehensive blend of environmental education and traditional, play-based preschool standards.
Nature plays a vital role in the emotional, social and cognitive development of young children. Childhood experiences in nature help stimulate curiosity and interest in the world around us, and help us grow intellectually in our desire to better understand the world and our place in it. DPNC’s 350-acre sanctuary serves as a living classroom for our preschool. It is an ideal place for children to learn through direct experience and play. Our children spend time outdoors every day, where they can fully engage all their sense in a safe and nurturing environment. Children’s free expression in the natural environment — whether it be building a fort, holding a snake or hiking along a trail — allows for the development of a lifetime of skills.
Our goal is to foster the growth of whole, well-rounded, happy children, and to inspire an appreciation for the natural world and a lifetime environmental ethic.
Children ages 3 to 5 may attend Monday-Wednesday-Friday, Tuesday-Thursday or all five days. There is a flexible drop-off time of 8:30 to 9, and pick-up from 12-12:30. The schedule includes outside time every day.
Your family must belong to the Nature Center in order to apply for admission to the Nature Preschool. September enrollments start in February, and children must be 2.9 to 5 years old.
Every child needs nature. To help more children benefit from a natural childhood, the Nature Center offers a limited number of partial scholarships to the Nature Center Preschool Program. Scholarship up to a maximum of 50% of the annual tuition will be awarded. Please see the Preschool Scholarship Fund under Tuition for more information.