Nature preschool

 Our Nature Preschool program runs from September through June, offering a full-day program from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Children spend their days exploring, creating, and learning through play in natural spaces. Each day includes a balance of outdoor discovery, small group learning, story circles, and hands-on activities that follow the interests of the children.

Please note that the preschool is closed during March Break and the summer months, as we operate our Camp Branches seasonal camps during those times.

 Our Nature Preschool blends early childhood education with outdoor inquiry, helping children develop curiosity, independence, and confidence.

We believe young learners thrive through active engagement with their environment. Our program nurtures their natural sense of wonder through play, observation, and discovery.

Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we view the natural world as the “third teacher.” Each day, children are encouraged to explore, investigate, and connect with their surroundings through hands-on, nature-based experiences that spark imagination and a lifelong love of learning.

 Our program supports all areas of early development, including emotional regulation and empathy through cooperative play, fine and gross motor growth in natural settings, early literacy and numeracy through storytelling and exploration, and critical thinking and problem-solving through real-world experiences.

Every day offers opportunities to connect with the land and explore the changing seasons. 

Children engage in hands-on experiences—making observations, asking questions, and following their curiosity. Forest walks, sensory play, gardening, creative art, and simple science investigations allow them to experiment, solve problems, and express their ideas. Storytelling, music, and movement are woven throughout the day to build imagination, language development, and collaboration with peers, while nurturing a deep connection to nature and environmental awareness.

 Our program is designed to provide a high-quality, personalized experience for each child, with small group sizes and a focus on meaningful outdoor learning.

Tuition: $250 per week, per child.

This fee includes all daily learning materials and outdoor program supplies. As well as meals and snacks aligned with canadas food guide.

Enrollment is offered on a full-time basis to ensure consistency and community within the group. Spaces are limited to maintain our small, family-style environment, and early registration is encouraged.

To inquire about availability or arrange a visit, please contact us — we’d love to welcome your family to Camp Branches Nature Preschool.

 Our educators are experienced early childhood professionals with diverse backgrounds in child development, outdoor education, and nature-based learning. Each team member brings unique skills and perspectives, united by a shared commitment to nurturing the whole child.

Grounded in the guiding principles of the Early Childhood Educator Standards of Practice, our educators uphold professionalism, respect, and reflective practice in all they do. They create calm, inclusive spaces where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

Through observation and responsive teaching, our educators thoughtfully plan experiences that build on children’s interests and strengths.

They foster curiosity, independence, and creativity while supporting growth across all developmental domains—social, emotional, cognitive, and physical.

 At Camp Branches Nature Preschool, outdoor exploration happens in every season — rain, shine, mud, or snow! We embrace all types of weather as part of the learning experience and encourage families to help their children come prepared for the day.

We recommend packing:

• Waterproof boots and weather-appropriate outerwear
   
• Extra layers and a full change of clothes
   
• A reusable water bottle and sun hat
   

Open and ongoing communication with families is an essential part of our program. We share weekly updates and learning documentation to keep families connected to their child’s experiences, growth, and discoveries. By working together, we create a strong, supportive connection between home and preschool.