Nature Preschool
Imagine spending 50% or more of your day exploring, playing and learning outside. Students attending the FULL-TIME Ijams Nature Preschool do just that. It makes you want to be a kid again!
Ijams Nature Preschool
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Exploratory Play and Learning for Kids 3-5*
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Low Child-to-Teacher Ratio
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Outside Play Every Day (At Least 50% Each Day)!
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Social, Emotional, and Academic Kindergarten Preparedness
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DHS Licensed Child Care Facility
MISSION
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The Ijams Nature Preschool is an experiential, nature-based preschool for children ages 3-5* that combines:
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An outdoor classroom where students are given an opportunity to explore the natural world and learn environmental stewardship, and
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An indoor classroom where they are guided through traditional and child-centered academic lessons.
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Through this unique combination of experiences, the Nature Preschool at Ijams Nature Center nurtures students’ social, emotional, and intellectual development, and helps them learn valuable lessons about themselves and their world.
* Students must be 3 years old and fully potty-trained by their first day of school.
Spots fill quickly! Apply here. Please contact Early Learning Programs Manager Leigh Feld with questions or for more information at +1865-577-4717 ext. 1018 or preschool@ijams.org.
TUITION RATES & POLICIES
Preschool tuition is $1,070.60 per month from August - May for the 2026/2027 school year. Tuition is billed on the first of each month and due by the 15th. Preschool hours are 9:00 am-3:30 pm Monday-Friday. Upon acceptance, a $200 registration fee is required to secure your child’s place at Ijams Nature Preschool. The deposit is nonrefundable and nontransferable.
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Ijams Nature Preschool does not charge additional registration or activity fees; tuition is all-inclusive.
EXTENDED CARE
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Ijams Nature Preschool's extended care program is offered from 8:30 - 9:00 am and from 3:30-5:30 pm Monday-Friday for families who need extended hours. The cost is $445 per month. Families may also request after-care occasionally (from 3:30 - 5:30 pm) at a rate of $35/hour, but aftercare cannot be guaranteed unless families apply for the entire extended care package.
“A lot of my friends find interest in the type of preschool Patrick is attending. He turned 5 in January and he has learned so much. He knows all the seasons of the year in order, the days of the week, months of the year, identifying continents on a world map, animal prints, and a plethora of other things in only two months of full-time nature play. Wild right? It’s child led, too, which is wonderful for their self-esteem.” -- Mom of an Ijams Nature Preschool Student
Looking for part-time care?
Check out the
Ijams Nature Play Club!
