Nature Based Learning/Our Day

Nature-Based Learning

Our program takes place in an enriching indoor and outdoor environment, with an emphasis on nature-based learning.  It allows our teachers to focus on providing the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development that Playschool is respected for, in the safest, most engaging setting we can provide.  The focus on nature is an opportunity to fully embrace the relationship between our bodies, our minds and our environment. Our extensive play-yard allows groups to experience healthy exploration and interaction within the cohort. 

While outside, each class has their own semi-permanent, roofed structure for storing materials in their individual play yards allowing their yard to serve as their homebase/outdoor classroom for approximately three weeks before they rotate to a new play yard. 

Increased outdoor play has been shown to have many physical, mental and cognitive health benefits for children. Outdoor play and learning has been shown to enhance empathy and connection with others as well as improve mood and decrease anxiety for both children and adults.

Outdoor play and learning benefits include:

• Greater development of fine and gross motor skills
• Longer attention spans
• Decreased hyperactivity
• Increased self-regulatory control (ie. children have less behavioral issues such as hitting or biting)
• Increased sensory development
• Decreased levels of obesity
• Improved mood
• Decreased anxiety

Classrooms

All students participate in both indoors and outdoor classrooms for five mornings per week from 9am-11:45pm. Children aged 2 years, 7 months-old through 6 years-old are placed into one of five classrooms:

• Yellow Room
• Purple Room
• Green Room
• Orange Room
• Blue Room/Kindergarten

Daily Program

Each classroom follows a daily routine that includes free choice, group time and snack time. Once a week, each classroom makes their own special snack on cooking day. Each class will create their routine according to the students needs and the rhythm the teachers find fitting for their students. This allows flexibility to create the best routine for each classroom. 

Extended Program

Children three years of age or older are eligible to enroll in our early morning (8-9am) or afternoon (11:45am- 2:45 or 3:45 pm) extension program. This program is appropriate for most children, with some exceptions for children who teachers feel are not yet ready for a full day of Playschool.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Conferences are scheduled twice yearly to communicate child progress and growth. Teachers are available throughout the year for additional parent communication via e-mail and meetings.