Field & Forest Nature School( Pre-Kindergarten – Part-time) (3.5-4 year olds)
Field and Forest Nature School is an outdoor, nature based education program that originated in Europe. Children in this program will regularly visit the same local woodland area at Living Prairie Museum (which is one of the highest quality remnant prairie sites remaining in Manitoba) as well as spend extensive time in our Adventure Playground area. Through nature-based child directed learning, children will develop problem solving skills, the ability to interact effectively with others and knowledge across many subject areas. Both planned and spontaneous play experiences are provided for the children. We support the statement in the UN Convention’s Human Right to Play which says, “Play is a process that is freely chosen, personally directed, and intrinsically motived. That is, children will determine and control the content and intent of their play, by following their own instincts, ideas and interests in their own way for their own reasons.”
Our aim for Field and Forest Nature School is to create an opportunity for children to develop a sense of wonder and appreciation for our natural world and reap the many benefits of spending time outdoors. Studies have shown spending meaningful time in nature positively affects children physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively. Our hope is that this connection to nature will develop into a life-long appreciation of and a willingness to care for the planet that is our home.
Why not help your child get their ‘wildhood’ back?
Basic Information
Field and Forest Nature School
– Four year olds (must be 4 years old by Dec. 31 in the year they begin Nursery School Program) who are toilet trained will be accepted for the first year (2015-2016) of this program. We are expecting that both three and four year olds (3 & 4) will be welcomed in subsequent years.
– The program will operate out of our Hampton Street location on Mondays and Fridays, where much of their time will be spent outdoors. On Wednesdays, weather permitting, children will be dropped off by their parents at the Living Prairie Museum on Ness Avenue where the woodland part of their program will take place. Pick-up will also happen at the Living Prairie site on Wednesdays.
– Children will attend 3 partial days per week; Monday/Wednesday/Friday 12:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
– Nursery Programs run from mid-September to mid-June each year
Our Staff
Mr. (Matthew) Bordush
Matthew Bordush is an ECE II and is the team leader for both the Field and Forest Nature School and the Nature Nursery School Programs at Discovery. He has worked at Discovery Children’s Centre since 2001 and has been a vital team member of our nature programs since their inception in 2015. Matt is an avid outdoorsman and is gifted at facilitating outdoor experiences for children.
Our Program
Click Here to view our Curriculum Statement which describes many of the key interests, approaches, and priorities we bring to our time with you and your children. These are fairly standard throughout the programs at Discovery.