Our Mission

The mission of the Dodge Nature Preschool is to provide a premiere quality early childhood environment which meets children’s developmental needs while initiating them into a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world.

Our Philosophy
At the Dodge Nature Preschool, we believe that children are intrinsically motivated to learn.
The teaching staff promotes learning by:

• Providing an environment which encourages discovery, experimentation, and the opportunity to see the results of one’s actions.
• Developing activities to encourage growth based on children’s abilities and interests.
• Encouraging problem-solving and reflection by asking open-ended questions and providing information in response to children’s ideas, insights, and concerns.
• Assisting children in their interactions with each other and offering opportunities for cooperative learning.
• Teaming with families to understand children through the wisdom of their first teachers, their parents.
• Providing mixed-age classes to give children the opportunity to learn from and teach each other, much as it would occur naturally in multiple child families.
• Appreciating the individuality of children and celebrating their uniqueness and diversity.

Curriculum
The Dodge Nature Preschool curriculum will encourage cognitive, social, emotional, creative, physical, and linguistic growth.
Daily activities include:

• Natural science experiences
• Art activities
• Music and movement
• Language activities
• Block-building and carpentry

The Dodge Nature Preschool building is designed to provide the best possible preschool environment for young children. The welcoming entrance encourages family involvement and smooth transitions from home to school. Spacious classrooms allow for the busy, active play of preschool children with special attention to acoustics and temperature. Open-ended equipment and supplies encourage creative and cooperative learning. The large multipurpose room provides spaces for very active play. An outdoor play area features wooden climbing structures, a log cabin, vegetable and flower gardens, and animal habitats with 110 acres of wooded areas, prairies, ponds and more just outside our gates.

To find out more about our buildings and architects click here.
• Experimental science activities
• Math and manipulative toys
• Dramatic play activities
• Large and small motor activities
• Cooking and food experiences
• Sensory activities