NaturePlay Preschool

2024 - 2025 School Year Registration will Open:

March 8th for Full-Day Childcare
March 15th for Partial-Day Childcare

The Corvallis Environmental Center is excited to announce expanded hours for our NaturePlay Preschool Program! Beginning in September 2024, NaturePlay will offer full-day childcare (8am - 4pm) 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:

Meeting your child where they are developmentally, and gently guiding them as they learn about the natural world and their relationships with others.
Planning experiences that build on children’s natural curiosity and love of the natural world.
Providing materials and experiences to support children's understanding of literacy, math, and science concepts in meaningful ways.
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 (8am - 4pm), 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.

3 days (Half Day): Mon, Wed, Fri - $525 /month
3 days (Full Day): Mon, Wed, Fri - $1000/month
2 days (Half Day): Tu, Th - $357/month
2 days (Full Day): Tu, Th - $680/month
Exploradores: Tu/Th afternoon - $283.50/month

We can occasionally accommodate alternate schedule requests. Please email us to inquire.

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 Coordinator

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 on September 14th:

NaturePlay Get to Know You Questionnaire - CLICK HERE

Oregon Certificate of Immunization Status Form - CLICK HERE

2024 - 2025 School Year:

First day - Thursday, September 14th

Last Day - Friday, June 14th

Dates to Remeber:

First Day of School - Sept. 12th
Conferences - October 24-25
Veterans Day - November 11 th
Thanksgiving Break - November 27th - 29th
Winter Break - December 23rd – January 3rd
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - January 20th
President’s Day - February 17th
Spring Break - March 24th - 28th
Conferences - April 14th - 15th
Memorial Day - May 26th
Last day of School - June 4th

Shdul Options and Tuition

Registration Opens March 8th

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. Teachers actively support children's learning through inquiry and investigation of nature’s seasonal cycles. 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. Navigate through the sections below to learn more.

Visit NaturePlay

2024 PRESCHOOL Open Houses at Avery House

Visit us: 1200 SW Avery Park Drive, Corvallis 97333

March 8th - 3 - 5:30 pm

April 24th - 3 - 5:30 pm

May 24th - 3 - 5:30 pm

Nature Play welcomes potty-trained children, ages 3-5.

Schedule: Monday to Friday

Full Day: 8 am - 4 pm
Partial Day: 9 am - 1 pm

Schedule options include 2, 3, and 5 days per week.

Click Here for Additional Schedule Information and Tuition

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.