Outdoor Preschool (ages 3-5 years)
During the school year, our Outdoor Preschool classes meet Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 12 pm.
Our Outdoor Preschool classes are designed for children who are three to five year’s old. Three year olds entering the Outdoor Preschool classes must be three by August 31st. We ask that children in these classes be potty-trained. We have two classes that meet Monday through Friday. If 5 days feels like too much, we do offer a 3 day (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) or 2 day (Tuesday/Thursday) option for families.
Parents send in their own child’s water bottle, snack and lunch each day. Food containers need to be something that a child can easily open. Easy to eat foods should be packed. For example, oranges or apples need to be peeled and cut, ready for a child to munch on. Not sure what to pack? Check out our allergy friendly snack ideas!
We use our indoor spaces for bathroom breaks, diaper changes, severe weather (thunderstorms, high wind, heavy rain, extreme cold) and for some organized activity work. Beyond that, we are outside enjoying nature. Our beautiful urban campus includes a playground, a nature trail, a large parking lot, two wooded areas for play, a back porch area with a mural painted by a local artist, Jordan Owens, a pollinator garden and other areas around campus to explore, learn and create.
Outdoor Preschool Class Details
A 5-day option ($515 per month), a 3-day option ($355 per month) or a 2-day option ($245 per month) is available. For more information on tuition and fees, see our most current application.
Resources and information about outdoor play:
- Benefits of Connecting Children with Nature
- 13 benefits of Outside Play That Are Backed by Science
- Why Kids Need to Spend More Time in Nature
- Nature Can Improve Academic Outcomes
- Connecting with Nature to Care for Ourselves and the Earth
Durham Community Preschool participates in Take a Child Outside week every September