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NATURE BEGINNINGS IS FOR AGES 3 AND 4

Starting preschool is a big step for young children! This class at Aldo Leopold Nature Preschool bridges the gap between family programs (where the child attends a program with a family member) and traditional preschool (where the child is away from family). Nature Beginnings is recommended for children ages 3 and 4 who have little or no previous preschool experience.

Program Objectives

To use nature as a teaching tool to:

• Provide an opportunity for preschool-aged children to learn how to be in a group, away from their parents and caregivers, fueling their independence
• Encourage risky play, sparking resilience, igniting creativity, building physical strength, and sharpening social skills
• Foster a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world, leading to admiration and respect for the environment

 

WHEN DOES NATURE BEGINNINGS MEET?

2025-26 Nature Beginnings is offered Mondays through Fridays from 9 to 11am, September 2025 through May 2026. Families have the option to choose to attend 1 day/week (Friday) or 2 days per week (Monday & Wednesday OR Tuesday & Thursday). Families register in spring and pay monthly tuition for as long as they want to stay in the class. Nature Beginnings costs $100 per month for the single day option and $200 per month for the two-days option. Nature Beginnings goes for the entire school year. If you would like to un-enroll during the school year, simply notify the preschool office by the 15th of the month.

This preschool primer is recommended for children ages 3-4 who have never done a program without their parents or caregivers, have had limited time doing so, and/or have not been in an all outdoor nature-based program before. We follow a simple schedule of play, stories, and group time, with an emphasis on learning to be part of a group, and of course having fun playing and learning in nature. Children must be toilet trained to attend.

Nature Beginnings generally follows the Aldo Leopold Nature Preschool Calendar. More information will be shared with registration.

Please contact our Nature Preschool Director, Courtney Woods, at preschool@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org with questions.

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INCLUDE?

Stories, friends, and playtime outside! What more could a preschooler ask for? The class will be held OUTDOORS at the nature center, with one of our outdoor classrooms as home base. Bathrooms will be accessible for students. If the weather is too severe, we will cancel the program for that day. More details on this policy when you sign up.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

• 9:00 – 9:15 am: Drop Off & Morning Circle
• 9:15 – 9:30 am: Story Time
• 9:30 – 10:00 am: Nature Hike
• 10:00 – 10:45 am: Free Play in the Nature Playspace
• 10:45 – 11:00 am: Goodbye Circle & Pick Up

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR 2025-26?

Registration for 2025-26 will open at NOON on May 1st. Please be advised, classes have 10 students in each class with 2 teachers. When classes are full, families will automatically be placed on a waitlist and notified if spots become available.
 

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