Virtual Open House: Ijams Nature Preschool & Ijams Nature Play Club

Geared towards: Adults with children ages 3-5 years

Event Description: 

Ijams Nature Center is hosting a virtual open house for families interested in learning more about the full-time Ijams Nature Preschool and the new part-time Ijams Nature Play Club.

Event Location:

This event will take place over Zoom (LINK: https://zoom.us/), a virtual platform to meet in real time, that is convenient for many families during the pandemic. Once you register, Ijams Nature Preschool Team will get back to you with Zoom meeting links and information a few days before the event. If you have any technical difficulties or need assistance familiarizing yourself with the Zoom platform, please contact Jennie McGuigan at (865) 577-4717 Ext. 130 or jmcguigan@ijams.org.

More Information about our 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 new program 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.

The 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.