Little Garden Nature Preschool
Ages 3-6yrs
Little Garden Nature Preschool is a unique, whole-child approach to early childhood education that takes place almost entirely in nature. We believe that young children learn best through child-directed play. This play meets the young child's developmental needs and opens a world of curiosity, critical thinking, and socio-emotional skills.
Our classes take place from our homestead in the woods, where children have access to a rich natural environment from acres of forest, seasonal streams, nature play area to gardens and small farm animals. The majority of our time is spent outside, rain or shine. This immersion builds resilience and a strong connection to nature, one that is ever so needed in a fast-paced, technology driven world.
Our outdoor setting provides each child the freedom they crave, while our gentle rhythm provides the structure they need. Together these work to create a peaceful, nurturing environment that inspires deep, creative play.
Preschoolers have an incredible capacity for curiosity and imagination. We aim to foster within each child a natural love for learning and appreciation for the world around them.
We’re here to be part of your village, working with you, the parents, every step of the way. In addition to daily communication, we keep a learning journal for each child that we share at parent teacher conferences and is yours to keep at the end of the year.
We do not teach formal academics in our programs but instead learn through hands-on experiential opportunities.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
Please reach us at littlegardenplay@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question. If you'd like our current family handbook emailed to you for you to look over before enrolling please reach out!
Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year with breaks for the holidays
8am-12pm
See calendar below
- Drop Off: 8-8:30am
- Free Play
- Art: process art, seasonal nature crafts, play-dough, painting, drawing, etc.
- Morning Circle: songs and movement
- Snack
- Outdoor Play: nature walk, mud kitchen play, sandbox, forest play, visit farm animals, gardening, etc.
- Story and Goodbye Circle: we share a special story, often accompanied by puppets, and sing our goodbye song
- Pick-Up: 12pm
Two half-days/per week August-May: $150 per month
(This averages out to around $22 per day)
10% sibling discount
$50 non-refundable deposit due upon registration that goes towards the first months tuition. Once registered we will send an email to set up a Brightwheel account where monthly payments can be automated.
Little Garden School
100 Wilderness Dr.
Clarkson KY, 42726
We will send all registered families a much more detailed list. But here is an idea for those considering this program.
-Non-leak water bottle filled with water
-Apply bug spray/sunscreen before the start of class
-Two full changes of clothes
Required Gear List:
-Cold Weather Gear: mittens, water-proof mittens, warm hat, wool or synthetic base layer, fleece mid-layer, snow suit (or warm pants to go under provided rain bibs), insulated jacket, warm boots
-Rain/Mud Gear: rain boots, water-proof mittens, good quality rain jacket with hood
-Warm Weather Gear: full coverage sun hat, shoes that they can run in but can get wet
Notes:
- Each child will be provided with a pair of rain pants/bibs to wear at school
- A healthy, nourishing snack is provided each day with opportunity for the children to be involved in the preparation
We follow Grayson County school closures for inclement weather.
If school is open but weather is severe or unsafe we will move class indoors to "The Studio" for special rainy day indoor play, arts and crafts, etc. We may also use this space on cold days to shorten our duration outside.
We do ask that children be fully potty trained with some small exceptions on a one-by-one basis at the full discretion of our director. Please reach out if you have questions about this policy.
Children who are potty trained and turning three within 3 months from our start date are welcome. Anyone younger is on a case by case basis. Please reach out with questions!
Currently our programs are full! Please fill out the wait list via the link below. This is our enrollment process for when spots become available or registration opens for a new school year, after all wait list families have been contacted.
Step 1: Meet with our program director, Ms. Katie. If you've attended a session of classes or several playgroups you may skip this step. For those new to our programs, you are welcome to register before meeting with our director but it is highly recommended to ensure it is the right fit. Email Katie at littlegardenplay@gmail.com to schedule a time.
Step 2: Follow the registration link to register and pay the $50 deposit to hold your child's spot (this is non-refundable)
Step 3: We will then reach out via email with the enrollment paperwork, including a program waiver and family handbook and a link to set up a Brightwheel payment account
2024-2025 School Year
We are blown away by the interest in our nature preschool for our inaugural first year and are officially full. If you are seriously interested in your child joining us for next year 2025/2026 please fill out the wait list. Spots are filled according to your desired start year and in the order the request was received. Those who have attended one or more of our 8-week Stay + Play sessions will have priority.
"Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is the work of childhood."
Fred Rodgers
New Year Stay + Play
Join us for a special drop-in Stay + Play class on 12/31 to celebrate the New Year!