In-Person Open House: Ijams Nature Preschool & Play Club

Geared toward: Adults with children ages 3-5 years

Event Description

Join Ijams Nature Center for an In-Person Open House to learn more about the full-time Ijams Nature Preschool and the part-time Ijams Nature Play Club!

Location

The Open House will be held at the Miller Education Building at Ijams Nature Center. All in-person events follow COVID-19 safety protocols to ensure everyone's safety. Drop-ins are welcome; however, by registering for this event, the Ijams Nature Preschool/Play Club team will be able to send you any important updates/details prior to the event.

More Information about Ijams Early Learning Programs 

Ijams Nature Preschool: Classes start Monday, Aug. 9. The Ijams Nature Preschool meets Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and focuses on child-led, age-appropriate, experiential learning. Children ages 3-5 spend more than 50% of their time outdoors.

Ijams Nature Play Club: This part-time programs follows the same model for ages 3-5, but is 100% outdoors. Classes meet Monday and Wednesday from 9:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Ijams may add a Tuesday/Thursday session if the Monday/Wednesday program fills and there is enough interest.

Both programs blend traditional education standards with the opportunity to learn about and explore the natural world. Children spend the majority of their time outdoors, where they learn through play, discovery and inquiry. Activities focus on sensory experiences with live animals, natural objects, artifacts, and art materials.

These programs encourage curiosity, cognitive growth, and motor skills through unstructured, child-led outdoor adventures. Children build problem-solving, math, and engineering skills through hands-on experiences, and cultivate social skills through group play and opportunities for cooperative learning.

For more information about the Ijams Nature Preschool and Ijams Nature Play Club, visit ijams.org/nature-preschool or ijams.org/nature-play-club. Additional questions may be directed to Administrator Leslee Moore at 865-679-5491 or email preschool@ijams.org.