“​Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” -Fred Rogers
We provide a balance of child-led play and focused learning guided by teachers.  Our play-based curriculum follows the flow of the seasons, with an emphasis on seasonal changes in the forest and how those changes impact the animals, birds and plant life.  We also learn about the importance of respecting nature. Through all of our activities at FSNP, we  practice kindness and compassion for each other and our environment.

We utilize the following resources to develop our own curriculum:​
  • Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines - The NELG are based on research and evidence about child development and practices that result in the best outcomes for young children.  The guidelines provide information related to seven domains or areas of learning and development: Social and Emotional Development, Approaches to Learning, Health and Physical Development, Language and Literacy, Mathematics, Science and Creative Arts​​​.
  • NAAEE Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs Guidelines for Excellence - Curriculum framework for environmental learning. In addition to the domains listed in the NELG the following domains are included: Curiosity and questioning, Development of environmental understanding, skills for understanding the environment and Personal sense of responsibility and caring.​
  • Messy Maths – This curriculum reimagines the outdoor world through a mathematical lens. It is designed to help children become confident and skilled in thinking about, using and exploring mathematical concepts as they play outside.
  • Hands-On Nature – Grouped around five themes: Adaptations, Habitats, Cycles, Designs of Nature, and Earth and Sky. This handbook engages children in learning about the natural world.
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 "Encouraging a child to go outside in all weather builds resilience, but more importantly
      it saves them from spending their life merely tolerating the "bad" days in favor of
    a handful of good ones - a life of endless expectations & conditions where happiness
                                           hinges on sunshine."  - Nicolette Sowder     

Much of the day at FSNP is play and inquiry based, student-led and outdoors. Children are allowed to explore and play without interruption or interference. We play outside in all weather. It takes great effort to get geared up but the children learn through the experience that there is great benefit. We relish new snowfall, splash in puddles, and dance in the rain.

In an outdoor environment children:
  • Develop a sense of wonder which is a motivating factor for life long learning
  • Develop independence by having space to explore
  • Develop problem-solving skills and an ability to assess risk
  • Spend their time running, jumping, balancing, climbing, digging and using their imagination
Play allows children to:
  • Use their creativity
  • Develop dexterity, physical and emotional strength
  • Develop executive function – the ability to control and direct emotion and behavior, an important indicator of success in school
  • Create a world where they can conquer their fears
  • Enhance their confidence and develop resiliency for future challenges
  • Learn how to work in groups, negotiate and resolve conflict

FSNP has a nature inspired indoor classroom where the children gather at the beginning of the day for circle time and center time.  Our indoor classroom has a variety of learning centers including dramatic play, blocks, writing center, art, science, manipulatives and library.  The children gather together at the end of the day for a family style snack, songs and finger plays, and closure for our day. 
We offer both morning and afternoon classes for the 2023-2024 school year:
Morning    8:30-11:30 a.m.                       Afternoon   12:30-3:30 p.m. 
Families can choose either 2-day (M/W or T/TH)  or  4-day (M-TH) class schedule.

​We support mixed-age classes. This allows you to choose a schedule that meets the needs of your family and child.  All classes will be available to children ages 3 to 6 years old.  Just as it is important for adults not to spend time with only the people in their same life stage, children often thrive and learn better around children of different ages. Older children are able to scaffold for younger ones, meaning they can provide support to a younger child who is learning something new.  The younger children look to their older peers for guidance and the older children benefit by developing strong leadership skills modeling for their younger friends. Children’s development can be quite uneven, especially during the early years.  We believe all aspects - emotional, social, physical and cognitive need to be given a chance to develop at the child’s unique pace.