Our mission at All Seasons Preschool is to provide a rich early learning experience that meets children’s developmental needs while fostering meaningful relationhips with senior adults. We offer an intergenerational program with a nature-based and art-centered curriculum.

The value of an intergenerational community…

Creating our most precious memories once again; under what conditions do children, families and communities flourish?  Renowned psychologist and author, Mary Pipher, writes, “Many communities are realizing the value of projects that connect the young and old.  Older people are often wiser and less stressed than the rest of us and they have time and patience.  They have plenty of time for children, aren’t checking their watch, laptop, or blackberry constantly.” 

The research to support intergenerational programming is strong and consistent.  Young children need the wisdom and patience of the older generation and old people need the innocence and vitality that only a young child can offer.  Long term studies show lasting benefits to young and old living and working together.  Children who spend a significant amount of time with senior adults demonstrate improved vocabulary and advanced social skills, particularly in the areas of inclusiveness and empathy.  In the older population, spending time with children alleviates boredom, loneliness and helplessness.

At All Seasons Preschool, the possibilities to create magical experiences and memories that will last a lifetime are endless.  There are a variety of planned activities to be shared; baking, reading, singing, dancing, painting, board games, gardening, sitting outside, enjoying a campfire. 

“Communities are real places with particular landscapes, sounds, and smells.  Particular people live there and everyone knows their names.  Children need to grow up surrounded by adults who care for them.”

                                                                                              -Mary Pipher

The value of art in early childhood…

Observe the scene in any early childhood classroom where several children sit drawing and chatting; you will see energy, enthusiasm, imagination and good humor.  The writing and drawing center truly becomes a communication center.  It can be the hub of the classroom, where seeds of ideas grow.

 “Young children reflect the experience of beauty, so when they engage in art production and view works of art in the world around them, they better understand themselves and others.”  - Early Childhood Art by Barbara Herberholz and Lee Hanson


“…drawing sparks thoughts and makes thinking visible…drawing gives wings to the imagination…encourages us to ‘learn to see’…and thrives as a means for inquiry and investigation.” 

- Ursula Kolbe in It’s Not a Bird Yet; The Drama of Drawing

The value of nature in early childhood…

If you take a moment to reflect on your favorite childhood memories, most likely, you were outside.  Nature is the ultimate playground of childhood.  Research shows that spending time in nature is beneficial to young children in multiple domains of child development.  Children who spend time playing outdoors are physically healthier, have more advanced motor skills, more positive social interactions, increased positive moods, and reduced levels of stress.  Cognitively, spending time in nature is correlated with increased focus and attention span, better memory and a broader transfer of knowledge.  Unfortunately, in the United States, children are spending significantly less time outdoors than they did one generation ago.

At All Seasons Preschool, our extended outdoor time provides an ideal framework for our nature-based curriculum.  Children enjoy daily interactions with nature, playing in the meadow, pines, and woods.  Our nature-based activities will be offered indoors and out, in large and small group, and are teacher-led or child-initiated.

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything gets accomplished.”  - Lao Tzu