Natural Start Preschool Mission and Philosophy

Natural Start Preschool offers a unique nature-based curriculum that meets the developmental needs of preschoolers ages 3-5 while teaching them about the importance of the natural world. By engaging in activities both outdoors and in the classroom, children learn about the world around them through hands-on exploration and play. Our curriculum is supported through stories, songs, learning letters and numbers, science experiments, art projects, gardening, free play, and loosely-structured group activities. Two-, three-, and five-day morning programs are offered for children ages 3 to 5 who will be 3 years old by December 31st of the year of enrollment. 

The mission of Natural Start Preschool is to provide a high-quality early childhood learning program that meets the developmental needs of preschoolers while at the same time inspiring them to love and appreciate the world of nature. Our unique nature-based curriculum combines traditional Kindergarten readiness learning with age-appropriate educational activities that are designed to teach children about the natural world, exercise and physical fitness, health and wellness, nutrition, and the importance of experiencing the outdoors.

At Natural Start Preschool, we believe that nature plays a vital role in the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development of young children. Research shows that children who spend time in nature are healthier, can think more clearly, have an easier time paying attention, and have the ability to cope more effectively with stress. Childhood experiences in nature help stimulate children’s curiosity and interest in the world around them and help them grow intellectually in their desire to better understand the world and their place in it.    

We believe that children’s interactions with the natural world allow for the development of a lifetime of skills. Nature serves as a living classroom for our preschool and provides an ideal environment for children to learn through direct experience and play. Our preschoolers spend time outdoors every day, where they can fully engage all their senses in a safe and nurturing environment. On the rare occasions when the weather is too extreme for outdoor exploration, children are able to participate in active play in the gymnasium.    

We also believe that children need time to be themselves: children. They need ample opportunities to play, to practice and work out social skills with other children in a safe environment, and to gain self-confidence and self-esteem. We believe that helping children develop a positive self-image and become socially competent is the best foundation for their future.