Explore Me a Story ~ Mindful Nature Preschool currently offers a Monday through Thursday morning preschool program for children ages 3 to 5 years. One spot is available for a child aged 2½.
Our Program focuses on the development of the ‘whole child’ ~ mind, body and heart, and is built on the foundations of love, respect, inclusion and mindfulness.
We offer a unique child-centered, experiential, nature infused, Reggio Emilia inspired learning environment for young children, providing engaging activities that stimulate an eagerness to learn and inspire curious minds to explore and investigate.
A significant portion of our day to day experience will be spent outside in our natural environment. We believe that children thrive best when they are connected to nature and free to explore the world around them. Our passion is to ignite children’s imagination and creativity through this means.
In addition to learning and benefitting from being outside in nature, our program will provide children with opportunities to learn through:
free-play
cause and effect relationships
yoga & mindfulness
cooking
gardening
exploration of a variety of materials & environments
Preschool currently runs from 8:30am - 11.:30am, Monday through Friday with 8:00am early drop-off and 12pm late pick-up options. We follow the Holiday closings in line with the Lancaster City School District calendar.
Our preschool morning will take the form of a mindful flow beginning with inviting indoor or outdoor exploration activities followed by a ‘welcome circle’ of sharing, empowering each child with their unique voice and the opportunity to express themselves.
We will move through ‘free play’ choices both indoor and outdoor, focused developmental activities based on children’s interests and play patterns, a ‘family style’ snack time, yoga, music and movement, story time, a nature walk/outdoor exploration, tying up our morning with a ‘closing circle’ of sharing and celebration of ourselves and each other.
Joanna Johns will be the classroom teacher, accompanied by an experienced assistant teacher, who fully supports the ethos and approach of the program, as well as a parent volunteer.
Joanna has 25 years experience working with children teaching at the primary and elementary level, responding to the developmental, social and emotional needs of children. Her experience includes an expertise in early literacy, professional teaching positions including education director of a progressive preschool in NYC, early years consultant and certified children’s yoga and mindfulness teacher.
We have strong educational partnerships with the local community including Fairfield County District Library Outreach Services and Fairfield County Parks visiting Naturalist.
We encourage parent volunteers and invite parents to sign up for our rolling volunteer schedule. We also encourage parents to visit us and share their expertise with the children, helping to build community and the ‘family feel’ of our program. Weekly Explore Me a Story Classes will be offered to families with younger siblings as an extension of the Preschool Program.
Families will be required to provide a daily snack/lunch and water bottle drink for their child.
Once registered, parents and guardians will receive a parent handbook detailing all relevant information about Explore Me a Story ~ Mindful Nature Preschool, including all policies and procedures.
Please feel free to contact Joanna with any questions you may have about the program, enrollment of your child or to be added to the waiting list.
Tel: 740-215-8530
Email: exploremeastory@gmail.com