Early Childhood Programs

The New Canaan Nature Center’s programs for youth foster hands-on learning about our natural world, teaching our children to enjoy and care for their environment as they master the skills needed to assume a leadership role in our society.

Nurturing Nature
This program creates an unhurried atmosphere for two and three-year-olds and a parent or caregiver to share stories, simple art activities, visits with live animals and seasonal trail walks through our diverse habitats. Sessions for the weekly classes are scheduled during all four seasons. Click here to learn more.

Beginner's Nature Program
In operation since 1967, the "BNP" is a unique, nature-focused preschool offering classes for three, four and five-year-olds and runs from September through May. Environmental education is integrated into a curriculum which addresses each child's individual needs: social, emotional, physical, creative and cognitive. Based on seasonal changes, the curriculum makes extensive use of the Center’s grounds. The Beginner's Nature Program is fully licensed by the State Department of Public Health under Connecticut Day Care regulations and accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

• Program descriptions
• Schedule of classes
• Registration information

Program Director and Teaching Staff

Priscilla P. Woyke has been Director of Early Childhood Education at the New Canaan Nature Center since 1997. She has been an educator for nearly 41 years, and is Adjunct Faculty in Early Childhood Education at Norwalk Community College for the past eleven years. She is also a frequent and popular presenter at local and regional and national staff development conferences for teachers. Mrs. Woyke received her M.S.Ed. specializing in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education in New York and holds a B.S. from the University of Vermont. She is past president of the Mid-Fairfield Association for the Education of Young Children. She is currently the President of the Bank Street College Alumni Association.

The BNP teaching staff are college-trained professionals with extensive experience in early childhood and environmental education. Each has a unique area of expertise, yet all work as a team, providing love, encouragement, enthusiasm and extensive knowledge about the outdoors and the Nature Center’s diverse habitats.