New Canaan Nature Center Preschool

At the Nature Center, we focus on creating an awareness of, and appreciation for, the natural world. Our unique preschool accomplishes environmental education goals while addressing the whole child’s developmental needs. We integrate environmental and nature education into our curriculum – not as a separate subject, but as a pivotal element of language and literacy, math, art, music, dramatic play, and other areas of the curriculum.

Each day’s schedule provides opportunities for children to explore and express themselves through art, music and movement, language, math, dramatic play, and hands-on science and creative activities. The day also includes a nature walk and guided hike on the grounds of the Nature Center. Themes reflecting seasonal changes in nature provide the basis for daily activities.

Our nature-based preschool provides children with special opportunities to learn about themselves and the world. By connecting young children with the natural world, we instill in them a love of nature that will help foster an environmental ethic, a caring, empathic attitude and an inquisitive mind that will stay with them throughout their lives.