Is nature preschool right for Your family?

Nature-based preschool is unique and not the best fit for every family. Before enrolling, we encourage parents to reflect on the following considerations. For more detail, see our Educational Philosophies page.

 

For Parents:

• Are you willing to embrace outdoor learning, regardless of weather?

• Can you model the value of outdoor education and support your child’s experiences at home?

• Are you comfortable handling dirty clothes and children from daily outdoor play?

• Do you value social-emotional growth and play-based learning over early academics?

• Are you interested in your child developing empathy for nature and others?

• Are you comfortable with “risky play” under safe, supervised conditions?

• Can you provide appropriate outdoor clothing for Minnesota weather?

 

For Children:

• Is your child toilet trained?

• Will your child be between 33 months and 5 years old at enrollment?

• Is your child comfortable getting dirty while exploring outdoors?

• Can your child participate safely in age-appropriate activities, including supervised use of tools and staying with the group?

• Can your child manage simple self-care tasks independently (e.g., handwashing, using the bathroom, dressing)?

 

At 10 Acre Wood, we meet with every interested family before enrollment to ensure our program is a good fit for both the child and the family. Our goal is a positive, supportive experience for everyone involved.