Nature Pre-K / Nature Pre-K

Saint Paul Public Schools Nature Discovery Pre-Kindergarten offers a variety of options for children ages 3-4 years, with opportunity for full-day, extended educational programming for eligible children. Morning or afternoon Pre-K with extended day and afterschool childcare options through Discovery Club (DC) is available to children who are 4 by September 1, 2024. Morning or afternoon Pre-K options ONLY are available to children who are 3 by September 1, 2024.

Students must have the prerequisite skills of being fully potty-trained and listening/attention skills to stay with the group.

We provide licensed teachers and curriculum that focuses on learning in a nature-based setting as well as bringing nature into the classroom. This program will run on the Saint Paul Public Schools calendar which can be found here.

Registration opens for the 2024-2025 school year January 8th, 2024 at 9:00am. Registration is submitted online by clicking here. Space is limited. Enrollment will be first come, first served. Enrollment minimum is 5 days per week. No part-time enrollment offered.

Registration for the 1/2 day Nature Discovery Pre-K class is separate from Discovery Club (extended day/afterschool childcare). Please note both registrations will require a payment method to be added at the time the contracts are submitted. However, a 2nd registration fee will not be charged for DC childcare. The $30 registration fee will be charged for the Nature Discovery Pre-K only.

Links to the separate registrations can be found below.

Location:

Saint Anthony Park Elementary School
2180 Knapp Street, Saint Paul, MN 55108

CLICK HERE for an interactive PDF chart with registration links.

Financial assistance may be available to qualifying families for the 1/2 day Pre-K class only. Contact Nature.PreK@spps.org for more information.

Discovery Club childcare does not offer a sliding scale. Assistance may be available to qualifying families attending Discovery Club through the county childcare assistance program 651-266-4444. Please Note: Discovery Club does not qualify for the Pathway 1 Early Learning Scholarship.

Meet Our Staff

Hello Families and Welcome to Nature PreK!

I am so excited to begin learning in nature this fall. I have taught in SPPS for many years in kindergarten and first grade. I love seeing children's curiosity as they explore and learn through play.

When not teaching, I love being outside, reading and talking about books, and spending time with family and friends.

Ann Griffin

Questions? Contact Nature.PreK@spps.org

Or call: 651-325-2521

"When children spend time outside, they explore science topics using curiosity, creativity and wondering, becoming better problem solvers and critical thinkers." - Minnesota Department of Education

A Day In The Life at Nature Pre-K

Morning Meeting: Students will be welcomed to class and will get a preview of the day’s learning though discussing a focus question. Example: “Today we will be thinking about birds. What do you know about birds?”

Transition to Outside: Staff will help students make decisions about what to wear to dress for the day’s weather. Example: “What is the weather like today? What should we wear?”

Discovery Walk: Students and staff will take a walk around the outdoor classroom and/or Langford Park to look, listen and document their observations, as guided by the day’s learning focus area.

Outdoor Discovery Learning: Students will have the opportunity to play in various outdoor centers and small group lessons will be taught at different times in the areas of literacy, math and science. Teachers will follow the lead of students and develop activities around what they are exploring and learning from their environment.

Outdoor Large Group Lesson: Songs, books, movement and guided large-group activities around the day’s focus area. This could include caring for our classroom garden, hearing from a nature expert, creating an outdoor art activity, building with our natural environment, or other cooperative activities.

Transition to Indoor Classroom: Students will take off outdoor gear and wash hands.

Reflection Circle: Students will have the opportunity to reflect on the day’s learning with their peers and teachers. They will then be dismissed to lunch/Discovery Club or released for parent pick up.

FAQ

Q: What age does my child have to be to enroll in this program?
A: Children that turn 4 years old by September 1, 2023, are eligible.

Q: Can I enroll my child for less than 5 days per week?
A: No, 5 day per week enrollment is required

Q: Is transportation available?
A: Morning transportation to school, in alignment with school start time at Saint Anthony Park Elementary, is available to students in busing Area E. Afternoon transportation from school, in alignment with the end time at Saint Anthony Park Elementary, is available to students in bussing Area E. Mid-day transportation is not available for students who are participating in only half-day Pre-K.

Q: Are meals included?
A: Breakfast, lunch and/or snack are included based on the child's attendance time. More info will be provided based on student enrollment.

Q: What are the academic programming and curriculm standards for Nature Discovery Pre-K?

A: Nature Discovery PreK will use Creative Curriculum as the basis for exploration-based outdoor learning. For assessments, we will be using Teaching Strategy's Gold, TS Gold, which aligns with Creative Curriculum. Students will use play to engage in themes of literacy, science, math, art and social emotional skill building. The program will be aligned to the Minnesota Early Childhood Indicators of Progress, ECIPS, and the Parent Education Core Curriculum Framework.

The pre-K students will have an indoor classroom, however, will spend the majority of their days outside exploring nature and science-based activities, weather permitting.

Q: Will my child need special clothing?
A: Families will be provided additional information about seasonal/weather-specific clothing to help ensure children are comfortable and safe.

Q: Is financial assistance available?
A: A sliding fee scale will be available for the ½ day Pre-K class. Assistance may be available for Discovery Club to qualifying families through the county childcare assistance. Contact Think Small 651-641-6665 for more information.

Meet Our Staff

A Day In The Life at Nature Pre-K

FAQ