Wild Things Outdoor Learning Presents our Nature Preschool Classes (Enrichment Program) 2025
Our first two sessions of our Nature Preschool Class has been going amazingly!! The kids are loving it, and growing so much socially, emotionally, mentally, physically, academically and becoming the sweetest little family! Registration for Winter and Fall is Open NOW! We are hoping to run a full schedule (M - F 8:00 - 4:00), customizable to your families needs/wants (full-days, half-days, 1 - 5-day options). Early Bird Discounts are available now through November 15! Sign up TODAY to join us next year! We'd love to invite you for a shadow day of our current Fall Session so you can get an idea what we are all about!
From tiny seeds grow mighty trees
Wild Things Outdoor Learning is proud to introduce our Nature Preschool Classes (homeschool enrichment), starting our third session this Winter in the Oak Park area! Our preschool classes are dedicated to letting kids be kids and helping them to connect to nature, each other and most importantly themselves as they explore, learn and grow in the outdoors. Each day will consist of child-led exploration and social and academic learning centered around the development of the whole child. Our primary areas of focus will be on social and emotional learning, including things like connection, cooperation, collaboration, communication, problem-solving and so much more, including most importantly having fun! We will also incorporate academic areas of focus such as pre-writing, pre-reading, math, science, art and music, among others.
Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is the work of childhood.
-Fred Rogers
We believe in letting our little ones be little ones. They learn best by playing, which is what we will do on a daily basis, with nature as our playground. Each day our students will explore, play, get messy, take supported, appropriate risks, and grow while being outdoors. While our exact location is to be determined, we use outdoor space within or just outside of Oak Park. We will be alternating between a few locations to allow for varied exploration, but they will all be close by. No matter the location, we will always have a home base with a shaded/covered space and our resources (books, materials, tools and toys). Daily we will explore our surroundings and take walks/hikes in the area surrounding our home base. We will have a general focus for each day which will be discussed during our morning circle, however our main priority will always be following the lead and the interests of our students. As we explore, teachers will take on all teachable moments to develop the whole child. These moments will encompass each part of our curriculum and areas of focus. Teachers will provide materials and tools to help expand on these teachable moments. Once back at the home base we will continue to take on these moments, push them forward, and much more. Kids will have the opportunity to keep on with their explorations from their walks and develop their ideas and thinking further, or take on new challenges, play and work together on projects of their liking.
Don’t just tell children about the world, show them.
-Penny Whitehouse
If you are looking for a place where your child can be a child, where they can learn and grow with friends outdoors, then this is the place for your family! Click the tabs for more information about our philosophy, our curriculum, our staff, our schedule and calendar, and pricing points. While we are still starting out, there may be things that we have overlooked here on our website, so please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or if you want more information! I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully meeting many of you soon!
Our Basic Structure
Ages of Students: 2/2.5ish - 6ish
Number of Students: 6+ (cap at 10, so save your spot TODAY!)
Student-Teacher Ratio: Never more than 5 - 1
Winter Session: 9 weeks (Jan 6 - Mar 7)
Spring Session: 9 weeks (Mar 10 - May 23 with 2 weeks off for Spring Break April 14 - 25 (there will be Spring Camp available those weeks))
Class Days: We hope to run 5 days a week, but can accommodate 1 - 5 day options.
Class Hours: 8 - 12, 12 - 4, or 8 - 4
Instructional Hours: 8:30 - 11:30 and 12:30 - 3:30
Drop-off/Pick-up/Free Play/Lunch/Rest: 8:00 - 8:30, 11:30 - 12:00, 12:00 - 12:30, 3:30 - 4:00
Extended Care Available if needed. Reach out to sort out those details.
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Fees (as an idea): From $825 (1 half-day) to $7,200 (5 full days) for each full 9 week session. (Reach out with your desired schedule to get a detailed breakdown of fees)
*3% fee for credit card payments (and payment plans)
**No additional fee for Zelle or Venmo payments
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Early Bird Discount: 10% off if you sign-up by November 15
Returning Family Discount: 10% off
Register for Winter and Spring Sessions Together: 10% off
Multiple Discounts (highest combined discount for 1 student): 15%
Sibling Discount: Second Child 25% off
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