Menu

Wonder Keepers Preschool

Note that information below is for Nearby Nature’s 2025-26 Wonder Keepers Preschool Program. Information about our current 2024-25 costs and an application link for Spring 2025 can be found here. You can also call 541-687-9699 with questions.

Overview for 2025-26

Children in Nearby Nature’s all outdoor preschool program enjoy nature discovery and adventure in our Learnscape Outdoor Classroom and in Alton Baker Park. Sensory exploration, cooperative activities, storytelling, garden discovery, earth art, nature science, and free time in our outdoor play spaces make every day both educational and fun. Through Wonder Keepers, young children develop a personal connection to the natural world, make new friends, and develop independence through outdoor exploring.

WHERE:

  • All outdoors at Nearby Nature’s Learnscape and in Alton Baker Park. Children have a myriad of opportunities to connect with nature in our unique outdoor classroom spaces (Hazelnut Hollow, Squirrel Kitchen, Pollinators’ Playground, and Frog Haven). Our natural play areas (Nature’s Builders Playspace, the Dig Inn Dirt Box, River Run, the Nest, the Sound Garden, and our wonderful sandbox) make learning and play truly hands-on.
  • Students should always come dressed for the weather. Rain jackets, rain boots, rain pants, hats, mittens, and/or warm coats are essential in the cold and wet months. Covered outdoor areas are available in case of inclement weather.

WHO:

  • Max 10 preschool children per day, ages 3-5.
  • One paid instructor plus at least one (and often two) other adult assistants/interns/volunteers staff each program day.
  • Minimum ratio of one adult for every five children.
  • Staff instructors are all experienced educators who have spent many hours outdoors teaching and exploring with children. See instructor bios here.
  • All staff instructors are First Aid/CPR certified and have passed background checks.

WHEN:

  • 8:30am-12:30pm, Monday/Wednesday/Friday (option to enroll for one, two, or three days per week, as space is available).
  • Flexible drop off and pick up first and last 30 minutes.
  • Dates for 2025-26:
    • Fall 2025 = September 15–December 12 (no programs the week of Thanksgiving November 24-28)
    • Winter 2026 = January 5–March 20 (no program January 19 or February 16)
    • Spring 2026 = March 30–June 12 (no program May 25)

APPLICATION PROCESS:

  • An online application is required for all participants, both new and returning. New this year, all applicants for our Wonder Keepers program will initially be enrolled on our wait list and will not be charged until we confirm your enrollment.
  • Once you apply online (use the Member Application or Non-Member Application option), if you are a new applicant, we will contact you to set up an interview to discuss whether or not our all-outdoor, all-weather program is a good match for your child. If you are a returning applicant, we will contact you to discuss your re-enrollment as needed.
  • If/when we are able to confirm we have space for your child in our program (using the application priorities below), we will register you child for your chosen program day/s and adjust your balance due to include your full fees. We will then alert you that your non-refundable deposit of $50 per weekday session ($25 for scholarship aid recipients) is due (or your full fees are due if you are enrolling mid-session).
  • Note that if you have requested scholarship aid, and we have space for your child in our program, we will initially register your child using our “ECO” code. This means you will not be charged anything until after we contact you with (and you accept) a proposed scholarship aid plan. Once you approve our plan, we will adjust your fees to include your aid and your balance will be due as noted in the previous paragraph. 
  • Priority Application Deadline for 2025-26 is May 1st, 2025. After May 1st, we will start to enroll applicants in the order outlined here, as space is available: 1) staff/former staff member’s children, 2) current/last year’s Wonder Keepers, 3) siblings of current/last year’s Wonder Keepers, 4) Wonder Keepers wait list applicants/inquiries from the prior year, 5) new wait list applicants, 6) Nearby Nature program attendees from any program, 7) general applicants.
  • Applicants will be alerted about their enrollment status as soon as possible after their application/interview with our staff.

COSTS:

Costs noted below represent a range for one day a week per session and will vary within that range depending how many specific days (M, W, F) are program days per session. Fees for two or three days a week are proportionally higher. Apply for each day independently online. (Specific fees per session day are listed online.)

  • Members: $350-$470 for one day per week per session (Fall, Winter, or Spring)
  • Non-Members: $415-$550 for one day per week per session (Fall, Winter, or Spring)

SCHOLARSHIP AID:

Financial aid is available through our Every Child Outside Fund. Nearby Nature believes all children should have affordable access to outdoor adventures in nature nearby. To apply for aid, fill out the Scholarship section in our online application form. We will contact you regarding the availability of aid and with a proposal for your reduced fees. No fees will be charged until we have confirmed your financial aid.

REGISTRATION and PAYMENT:

  • When you apply/register online, you will create an account and your registration information will be saved for future programs. You can check your balance due here at any time.
  • Once your enrollment is confirmed, a minimum non-refundable deposit of $50 per weekday session is required to hold your program space. Your full tuition will be due three weeks before your session/s start (or immediately if you are enrolling mid-session).
  • Payments can be made by credit card online or in person/by mail with check or cash.
  • Enrollment is on-going. We will prorate your fees due according to when you enroll.
  • Returning families — please review your child’s profile details to verify that all information provided prior to this registration (including your child’s medical and special needs info, as well as your phone number, address, and credit card info) is current. 
  • If registering online or paying a deposit in advance is not possible for you, or you would prefer to make a payment by check or in cash, please contact us to make arrangements.

Additional Information

Cancellation Policy for Wonder Keepers

(Note that this policy is different from our shorter term programs policy.)

Nearby Nature hopes your year goes as planned and you will not need to withdraw your child from Wonder Keepers. We do understand, however, that sometimes cancellations are unavoidable. If you need to cancel your preschool registration, please do so as far in advance as possible.

  • Cancellation by 6pm on Monday three weeks before your session starts = full refund minus the non-refundable $50 deposit per day of the week ($25 per day of the week for scholarship recipients).
  • Cancellation by 6pm on Monday two weeks before your session starts = 50% refund of full session tuition.
  • No refunds for cancellations after 6pm on Monday two weeks before your session starts or for cancellations mid-session.
  • Cancellation by us may happen if there is insufficient enrollment seven days prior to a program session. You will be notified promptly and your full payment refunded.

Questions?

Contact our Preschool Education Coordinator Sophia Zandi at sophia@nearbynature.org or 541-687-9699 if you have any questions about our program or problems with registration. Please leave a phone number with your voicemail or email so that we can get back to you as quickly as possible.