About Us
A place for early childhood environmental learning
Mission
Provide premier early childhood environmental education which meets children’s developmental needs while initiating them into a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world.
Philosophy
We follow a nature-based, emergent curriculum. Teaching practice is guided by the interests and knowledge of the children as well as the opportunities of the seasons. Children are active participants in their own learning and the best experiences tend to happen when we follow the ideas of the children.
Licensing and Accreditation
Dodge Nature Preschool is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services, accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and certified as a Nature Explore Classroom. Dodge Nature Preschool has received the Highest Possible Rating of 4 Stars from Parent Aware, Minnesota’s Quality Rating System.
Facility
The Preschool building is designed to provide the best possible learning environment for young children. Spacious classrooms allow for busy, active play. Open-ended equipment and supplies encourage creative and cooperative learning. An outdoor play area features wooden climbing structures, a log cabin, vegetable and flower gardens—with gates that lead to the grounds of Dodge Nature Center!
