NaturePlay Preschool
2025 - 2026 School Year Registration is Open!
Full day and Part day Options
Now an ERDC Subsidy Provider
The Corvallis Environmental Center is excited to announce expanded hours for our NaturePlay Preschool Program! NaturePlay offers full-day childcare to meet the needs of busy families.
About NaturePlay
Since 2004, Corvallis Environmental Center’s preschool program at Avery House Nature Center has strived to maintain an early childhood program that facilitates a deep connection between students and their environment through exploration and play. At NaturePlay teachers are facilitators of learning, encouraging children to ask questions and find answers through hands-on experiences. Learning is individualized at NaturePlay.
Teachers support children’s learning and development by:
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Meeting your child where they are developmentally and gently guiding them as they learn about the natural world and their relationships with others.
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Planning experiences that build on children’s natural curiosity and love of the natural world.
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Providing materials and experiences to support children's understanding of literacy, math, and science concepts in meaningful ways.
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Looking for opportunities in every part of the day to count, measure, write, read, and experiment.
NaturePlay is a fun, dynamic, and creative learning environment for young explorers.
Schedule Options and Tuition
NaturePlay will offer full-day childcare (7:30am - 4:30pm), and half-day childcare (9am to 1 pm) to meet the needs of busy families. Families can choose to enroll for the 2-day care, 3-day care or combine these options to create a 5-day program that works for your family. To enroll in multiple sessions, please reach out to daney.m@corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org
Extended care is available from 4:30-5:30 pm for an additional $10/day.
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3 days (Half Day): Mon, Wed, Fri - $525 /month
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3 days (Full Day): Mon, Wed, Fri - $1000/month
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2 days (Half Day): Tu, Th - $357/month
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2 days (Full Day): Tu, Th - $680/month
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Exploradores: Tu/Th afternoon - $283.50/month
We can occasionally accommodate alternate schedule requests. Please email us to inquire.
natureplay@corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org
School Year Details
Weather-related closures will be announced via email.
Your child's safety is our #1 priority. To see our Safety Policy and Procedures, click here.
Also, be sure to view our Registration and Financial Policies.
Contact Us
NaturePlay Preschool Phone Number: (541) 360 - 9726
Email: natureplay@corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org
Avery House Nature Center, 1200 SW Avery Park Dr., Corvallis, OR 97333
If you are registered for NaturePlay Preschool and sent a letter,
here are the documents required to be completed before preschool starts in September:
NaturePlay Get to Know You Questionnaire - CLICK HERE
Oregon Certificate of Immunization Status Form - CLICK HERE
2024 - 2025 School Year:
First day - Thursday, September 12th
Last Day - Friday, June 14th
Dates to Remember:
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First Day of School - Sept. 12th
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Conferences - October 24-25
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Veterans Day - November 11 th
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Thanksgiving Break - November 27th - 29th
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Winter Break - December 23rd – January 3rd
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Martin Luther King Jr. Day - January 20th
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President’s Day - February 17th
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Spring Break - March 24th - 28th
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Conferences - April 14th - 15th
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Memorial Day - May 26th
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Last day of School - June 4th
About NaturePlay
What could be better than stomping in puddles, collecting leaves, and playing in nature? NaturePlay students spend time outside every day, learning from the natural world that surrounds them. It all starts with play and exploration. Our child-led, play-based, interactive curriculum helps children build important life skills, develop positive approaches to learning and foster a love for the environment.
Nature Play welcomes potty-trained children, ages 3-5.
Schedule: Monday to Friday 2025/26
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Full Day: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm
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Partial Day: 9 am - 1 pm
Schedule options include 2, 3, and 5 days per week.
Visit NaturePlay
2025 PRESCHOOL Open Houses at Avery House:
Time: 5 - 6:30 pm
Dates:
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Wednesday, April 2
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Thursday, May 8
Location: 1200 SW Avery Park Drive, Corvallis 97333
Email: natureplay@
corvallisenvironmentalcenter.org
541. 360. 9726
Our Teachers
Instructors come from a variety of backgrounds including early childhood education and development and natural sciences, but all are experienced in and passionate about sharing nature with children in a kind, open, and consistent manner. All of our instructors are certified in CPR, and First Aid, and hold State of Oregon food handling certifications. All adults (staff and volunteers) in the classroom have passed full criminal background checks through the Oregon Department of Human Services. Staff-to-student ratios are 1 teacher to 6 students. For more on our staff, visit our Staff page.