New Canaan

Class Descriptions

All preschool classes include a daily nature walk through the Nature Center's diverse habitats. In addition, one of our teacher naturalists is partnered with each class, and brings live animals to class, joins the class on guided hikes, and is an on-site expert environmental resource for teachers and students.

Classes for 3 - 5 year olds

3 year old Preschool Class
Children must be 3 years old by December 31st of the year they start. There are two lead teachers with 14 children in each class.
  • 3 mornings MWF 9:00 – 12:00 OR
  • 2 mornings TuTh 9:00-12:00 OR
  • 3 afternoons MWF 12:30-3:30 OR
  • 2 mornings TuTh 9:00-12:00 and 2 afternoons MW 12:30-3:30 (Mixed ages: older 3 year olds with younger 4 year olds)
 4 year old Preschool Classes
Children must be 4 years old by December 31st of the year they start.
  • 5 mornings MTuWThF 9:00-12:00 OR
  • 4 afternoons MTuWTh 12:30-3:30 OR
  • 2 mornings TuTh 9:00-12:00 and 2 afternoons MW 12:30-3:30 (Mixed ages: older 3 year olds with younger 4 year olds)
  • 3 mornings MWF 9:00-12:00 and 2 afternoons TuTh 12:30-3:30 (Mixed ages: older 4 year olds with younger 5 year olds)
 5 year old Prekindergarten Class
Children must be 4 years, 6 months old by December 31st of the year they start due to the rigor and academic nature of this prekindergarten class. These are typically children taking a third year of preschool before entering kindergarten. There are 2 teachers with 18 children all morning; 1-2 additional teachers join the class for the afternoon sessions, with the expectation that small group activities and projects to further enhance their learning will be conducted during those times.
  • 5 mornings MTuWThF 9:00-12:00 and 3 afternoons MWF until 2:00
 Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch is available Monday – Thursday for all 3-5 year olds. Starting in October, children attending afternoon classes arrive at 11:15 and are escorted to their classes at 12:30. The children are joined at 12:00 by children attending morning classes, and these children can stay until 1:15. Sign up is on a daily basis, 14 children maximum, for $15 per day.

Classes for 18 months and older

 Mommy, Me, & Nature
formerly Nurturing Nature
It's never too early for children to begin experiencing and benefiting from the wonders of nature. Led by one of our early childhood expert teacher-naturalists on our 40-acre nature preserve, these enriching classes weave age appropriate exploration of concepts such as color, size, texture, animals, plants, weather and seasons with nature themed crafts, stories, exploration in the woods and a visit with a live animal every class. A relaxed yet purposeful atmosphere gives you a chance to learn and discover side by side with your child. Caregivers and children should dress for the outdoor conditions and messy projects. Mommy, daddy, auntie, granny or nanny are welcome! Click here for dates, times, and the full schedule of classes.

Tyke Itsy Bitsy Yoga®e
Led by one of our early childhood teachers who is a trained facilitator for Itsy Bitsy Yoga, this class is for children 22 months to 4 year olds and a caregiver. Designed to enrich the health, motor skills and social development of your toddler or preschooler, it's sure to be an enriching parent/child experience. Visit www.ItsyBitsyYoga.com for more information about this class.

  • Enrollment limited to 10 adult/child pairs.
  • Sessions can be joined at any time, space permitting.
  • Please make other arrangements for siblings.
  • Register early to ensure convenient scheduling.
  • NCNC Family Membership required to register.
Click here for dates, times, and the full schedule of classes.

Preschool Primer
This drop off class for your new or soon-to-be 3 year old starts in January 2011 and follows our regular preschool calendar for the remainder of the school year. This is a wonderful transition opportunity for children turning three in late fall 2010 – spring 2011 and is an introduction to the world of "big kid" school for those who are not old enough and/or not quite ready to start school in September 2010. There will be no more than 10 children in this class with two teachers. Activities, stories, live animal visits, crafts, cooking, playtime and a walk in the woods will engage and excite these young learners.

  • 2 mornings TuTh 9:00-12:00


 

 

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