Outdoor Preschool
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Preschool group class Rhythm
Our days are filled with the joy of discovery and the freedom of outdoor play. Our daily rhythm provides students with gentle structure and slow transitions.
- 9:00 AM: Parents say their goodbyes as they drop off their little ones in the native plant garden at Blue Heron Park, Phoenix, Or.
- 9:15 AM: Circle time begins, enveloping the children in a world of stories, songs, and lessons that reflect the seasons and their burgeoning interests.
- 9:30-10:30: Child led play and exploration.
- 10:30 AM: Lunchtime provides a moment of rest and replenishment, as we enjoy our meals together in the fresh air. A story is read while the children enjoy their lunches.
- 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM: Nature Walk and nature journaling. We wander slowly through the various natural spaces in the park and along the green way. Children each find a special sit spot and spend a few quiet moments drawing, reading, or listening to the sound of nature.
- 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM: Child led play and exploration with access to tools and curriculum-based activities/crafts.
- 12:45: Children help clean up tools and lesson items and we walk back to the native plant garden for pick up.
- 1:00 PM: Parents arrive to pick up their joyful explorers, ready to hear tales of their day’s natural escapades.
Location and Approach
Our preschool group days begin and end at Blue Heron Park in Phoenix Oregon. From there, we venture into the nearby natural spaces, including the community garden, Pollinator Garden, and Riparian areas. The park serves as our central hub. We joyfully engage with nature preservation groups, who offer both spontaneous and planned lessons throughout the seasons. Through these experiences, children forge a profound bond with the land and their community. The curriculum follows a play & Place based, child-centric pedagogy. This approach not only cultivates self-directed learning but also deeply satisfies the innate curiosity of children, encouraging them to flourish both intellectually and emotionally. Regardless of the weather, our young explorers are immersed in the great outdoors, fostering a profound connection with the environment and building a deep sense of community.
A note on neurodiversity and inclusion
At Blackberry Academy ALL are welcome, ALL are embraced, ALL are supported.
At Blackberry Academy Outdoor School we celebrate neurodiversity and warmly welcome students with diverse support needs, unique sensory processing, emotional support requirements. Our safe and nurturing environment allows children to learn and grow in their own individual ways. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to foster a love of learning and help children develop essential social and emotional skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Our dedicated staff provide personalized attention to each child, ensuring they thrive. Additionally, we’ve observed that children who may struggle in more formal learning environments often thrive in outdoor learning programs.
If cost is an issue, please reach out, some financial assistance is available to those in need.
