Nature Preschool: What does a typical school day look like?

8:45-8:55 Arrivals, greetings, & initial exploring/activity outside
8:55-9:05 Morning meeting (good morning song, book, discussions, & sharing)
9:05-10:10 Morning walk followed by Outdoor Investigations & Play
10:10-10:20 Transition to inside classroom, put things away, change shoes, & wash hands
10:20-10:35 Snack & conversation (outside on especially nice days in the spring)
10:35-10:45 Sign-in & quiet reading time or journaling
10:45-10:55 Whole-group time (calendar, jobs, book, topic discussion, science experiment)
10:55-11:25 Choice time/small groups (art, science & nature, literacy, writing, math, engineering)
11:25-11:30 Clean-up time
11:30-11:40 Closing whole-group (book, topic discussion, science experiment, final song)
11:40 Get ready to go home
11:45 Parent/Guardian pick-up from east doors

Nature Preschool: How many teachers?

One lead and two assistant teachers. The low teacher to child ratio is a unique benefit to the Nature Preschool program and supports learning and safety outside.

Nature Preschool: Are you REALLY outside everyday?

Our goal is to be outside 50% of the school day. When the
weather is nice, we may be out longer. If the weather is making students uncomfortable, we go in earlier. The student’s comfort is our guide, but families are expected to send their child in appropriate clothing that allows us to be outside even on the colder winter days.

Severe wind and thunder & lightning are the only things that keep us inside.
Warm snowsuits, warm boots, hats, and water-proof gloves/mittens allow us to enjoy learning outdoors on the coldest days, and rain gear on the wettest ones.