Philosophy

Nature-based preschools are built around the belief that early childhood is a critical time for learning, and that nature offers an incredibly rich setting that stimulates a developing child’s brain and body in unexpected ways. 

At Schoolmates, we integrate environmental and nature education into our curriculum, weaving it through language and literacy, math, art, music, and dramatic play. 

Our curriculum accomplishes this by utilizing…

  • Direct, hands-on experiences with the natural world.

  • Compassionate, nurturing and caring professionals dedicated to young learners.

  • Staff members who possess knowledge of child development and its impact on individual learning styles.

  • Staff who understand and respect the importance of experiential learning, offering opportunities for concrete, meaningful experiences.

  • Staff who understand that the emotional life of children cannot be separated from their learning, interests, and motivation.