We are excited to launch our new Seed to Sky Nature Preschool at the Lake View Nature Center!
Watch your child grow in their experiences through NaturePlay and discovery. Children will learn through the eyes of nature, counting rocks, learning colors by meeting a turtle, or discovering textures through animal furs. We focus on the social-emotional development of children, encouraging teamwork, resilience, and creativity. Our instructors will help foster a love for the environment, teaching the importance of stewardship and connection to the world around them. Children must be toilet trained (no pull-ups) to be signed up for preschool.
Highlights of Seed to Sky include:
- Spending a majority of the time outdoors learning while exploring nature (classes will be held in our Nature Center classroom and exhibit area during severe weather).
- A daily schedule which provides predictable routines while allowing opportunities for child-led activities.
- Learning science, math, literacy, and gross and fine motor skills through activities such as finding animal tracks, observing birds, digging for insects, measuring trees, studying snowflakes, and much more.
What is NaturePlay?
NaturePlay is unstructured outdoor play where children use objects from nature like rocks, sticks, and water to simulate creativity and connection to the environment. NaturePlay is child-led and allows children to explore with no end goal in mind. Interaction with nature and NaturePlay is shown to help children’s cognitive development, physical health, confidence, and social skills. It can also help manage mood, stress, and anxiety in children, setting a foundation for their engagement with the world moving forward.
Program Information
| Age: 3-5 (Must be 4 by Sep 1, 2026) | ||||||
| Program # | Day | Date | Time | Semester Fee | Monthly Fee | Register By |
| N1025-301 | Tu, W, Th | Sep 8-Dec 17* | 9:00-11:30am | $1,575 | $405/month | Aug 18 |
| N1025-101 | Tu, W, Th | Jan 5-May 20* | 9:00-11:30am | $1,995 | $405/month | Dec 15 |
| *No Nature Preschool the week of Nov 24-26 or Mar 30-Apr 1 | ||||||
Registration
At the time of registration, a non-refundable registration fee of $75 is due. Upon registering for the program, you will receive a packet of information outlining the school calendar, program specifics, and an email invitation to fill out required forms through our secure emergency network, ePact.
Payment
A $75 deposit is required at the time of registration to reserve your spot. We will reach out to you prior to the beginning of the semester for payment. Payment for the semester may be made in full, or you may enroll in our monthly payment program, which can be charged to a Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or American Express. This is a multi-month program and by registering you are committing to the full program payment. There is no proration for missed days. Preschool payments will be processed on the 20th of the month if you enroll in the payment plan.
Refunds
A full refund is granted if the Park District should cancel the program for any reason. No refunds are made available after September 15, 2026 unless a written doctor’s excuse is presented or the child has a special need that cannot be met by the preschool curriculum and is placed in a program in their school district, or if the child has uncontrollable, undesired behaviors/physical aggression toward self or others, or if the Park District has determined that the program is not meeting the growth and development of the child. In these situations, a partial refund minus the deposit, office fees, and attended days would be deducted and a refund would be granted by the Park District.