Nature Preschool
2023-24 registration is closed. Please contact us at preschool@wildwhatcom.org about available spaces.
2024-25 registration for new families opens February 1, 2024 (Central Time).
Ages 3-5 (potty-trained) | M/T/TH and/or F | Max. 10-15 Participants/Day | Cost (see below)
Nature Preschool is for adventurers who are 3-5 years of age and potty-trained (out of diapers and need minimal assistance with toileting).
See the Nature Preschool Family Handbook for more details on potty training, behavior requirements, gear list, and more.
In Wild Whatcom’s Nature Preschool you can expect your child to spend their morning connecting with, and learning about, our local natural environment while getting used to group dynamics and following instructions. Research demonstrates that experiences in nature improves academic learning, reduces stress, builds resilience, and supports teamwork, setting up young ones for future learning and development. Also, it’s a lot of fun!
Nature Preschool starts and ends at the Chuckanut Center (next to Fairhaven Park). We’ll spend the mornings playing in the orchard, wandering the woods, and exploring down to Padden Creek when the weather permits. We’ll jump in puddles, build fairy houses, create nature art, and make new friends! Our group of Nature Preschoolers will move at a snail’s pace, providing plenty of time to notice bugs, birds, and blossoms, relax on moss-covered nature seats, and break for snacks!
A SAMPLE Day at Wild Whatcom’s Nature Preschool
9:00-9:30AM: Drop-off and Free Play
9:30-9:45AM: Opening Circle
9:45-10:00AM: Toileting, Handwashing, Snack
10:00-12:00PM: Exploration, play and learning outside!
12:00-12:45PM: Lunch, handwashing, toileting
12:45-1:00PM: Closing Circle
1:00PM: Pick-up
Note: The 2024-25 school year will run 8:30-12:30PM. We offer four one-day sessions (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and/or Friday). You are welcome to sign up for as many days as you like!
A school year at Wild Whatcom’s Nature Preschool
Our curriculum centers child-led exploration, emergent learning, and socio-emotional skills practice. To facilitate on-going learning and discovery we follow nature-guided themes throughout the year:
Weeks 1-4 (Sept/Oct): Spiders
Weeks 5-8 (Oct/Nov): Seasonal Changes and Leaves
Weeks 9-12 (Nov/Dec): Decomposition and Fungus
Weeks 13-16 (Dec/Jan): Winter Adaptations
Weeks 17-20 (Jan/Feb): Squirrels, Eagles, Owls
Weeks 21-24 (Feb/March): Birds
Weeks 25-28 (March/April): Trees
Weeks 29-32 (April/May): Flowers and Pollinators
Weeks 33-35 (May/June): Insects and Bugs
Nature Preschool Family Handbook
See the Nature Preschool Family Handbook for more information on health and wellness, toileting and potty training, equity, behavior, weather safety and cancellations, and program gear and clothing including a pack list.
Fill out this form to apply for free loaner gear. We will get back to you as soon as possible about availability and pick-up. You may also check out this deal we have with Outdoor School Shop and use code: WHATCOM for 15% off your order.
2023-2024 Schedule
2024-2025 Schedule
Scholarship requests available during registration.
2023-2024 schedule
2023-24 daily schedule
9:00-9:30AM: Drop-off and Free Play
9:30-9:45AM: Opening Circle
9:45-10:00AM: Toileting, Handwashing, Snack
10:00-12:00PM: Exploration, play and learning outside!
12:00-12:45PM: Lunch, handwashing, toileting
12:45-1:00PM: Closing Circle
1:00PM: Pick-up
2023-24 School Year Calendar
Please see below for school year start dates, breaks, and holidays:
September 4-8, 2023
Drop-in orientation days to visit the space and instructors.
September 11 – First week of 2023-24 Nature Preschool
November 10 – Veterans Day observed (no school)
November 23 – Thanksgiving (no school)
November 24 – Native American Heritage Day (no school)
December 18–January 7 – Winter Break (no school)
January 8 – 12 – Nature Preschool resumes after winter break
January 15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no school)
February 19 – Presidents’ Day (no school)
April 1–5 – Spring Break (no school)
May 27 – Memorial Day (no school)
June 3 – Last week of 2023-24 Nature Preschool
2023-2024 COST
Keeping your child safe is our highest priority. Therefore, much of the cost of our programs support staff training and pay to provide a livable wage for highly qualified mentors. Learn more about our staff and their qualifications on the staff page of our website.
Nature Preschool maintains a 5:1 participant to staff ratio.
The 2023-24 school year tuition is $210/month for one day of programming a week. Each additional day is an additional $210 per month per day of programming. A full school year of Nature Preschool is $2100/year for one day of programming each week. Each additional day is an additional $2100 per year per day of programming. This is an average of $16 per program hour. You may sign up for as many days as you’d like!
A non-refundable deposit of one month’s tuition is due at registration and will be applied to your last month of preschool. Tuition may be paid in full at registration or you may opt for a payment plan during registration. Please let us know at least two weeks before tuition is due if you anticipate having difficulty paying your child’s tuition.
Scholarship requests available during registration.
2024-2025 schedule
2024-25 daily schedule
8:30-9:00AM: Drop-off and Free Play
9:00-9:15AM: Opening Circle
9:15-9:30AM: Toileting, Handwashing, Snack
9:30-11:30PM: Exploration, play and learning outside!
11:30-12:15PM: Lunch, handwashing, toileting
12:15-12:30PM: Closing Circle
12:30PM: Pick-up
2024-25 School Year Calendar
Please see below for school year start dates, breaks, and holidays:
September 3-6, 2024
Drop-in orientation days to visit the space and instructors.
September 9 – 13 First week of 2024-25 Nature Preschool
November 11 – Veterans Day observed (no school)
November 28 – Thanksgiving (no school)
November 29 – Native American Heritage Day (no school)
December 23 – January 3 – Winter Break (no school)
January 6 – 10 – Nature Preschool resumes after winter break
January 20 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no school)
February 17 – Presidents’ Day (no school)
April 7–11 – Spring Break (no school)
May 26 – Memorial Day (no school)
June 2 – 6 Last week of 2024-25 Nature Preschool
2024-2025 COST
Keeping your child safe is our highest priority. Therefore, much of the cost of our programs support staff training and pay to provide a livable wage for highly qualified mentors. The cost of tuition also covers insurance, supplies and materials, and more. Nature Preschool maintains a 5:1 participant to staff ratio. Learn more about our staff and their qualifications.
2024-25 Tuition | $2,200/school year for one day of programming a week
This is an average of approximately $16/per program hour. We offer four, one-day sessions (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and/or Friday) over the nine month school year. You may sign up for as many days as you like!
Prorated options may be available if joining after the school year starts in September.
Payment Options
Pay in full at time of registration
Monthly autobill payment plan: Nine (9) monthly payments of approximately $244/month per day per week of programming.
Additional autobill payment plan options may be available during registration.
A non-refundable deposit of one month’s tuition is due at registration and will be applied to your last month of Nature Preschool. Please let us know at least two weeks before tuition is due if you anticipate having difficulty paying your child’s tuition.
Scholarship requests available during registration.