Daily Schedule
Our days at nature preschool are filled with exploring, learning, and fun! Barring severe weather, students spend their days almost entirely outside, with staff ensuring that the students stay happy, healthy, and safe, but also learn how to dress for all types of weather!
Below is a general overview of what a day at nature preschool looks like:
Table activities
Our morning starts with various table activities while our friends are arriving. Activities include anything from blocks, Legos, letter magnets, magic marker worksheets, to the Lite-Brite or Hula-hooping.
Circle time
Each morning we start circle time by singing our good morning song and checking the weather!
This is a great chance for students to share ideas and engage in student-led discussion. We also go over a few academic exercises, read a story, and have fun lessons!
Snack
After circle time we wash our hands in preparation for snack. Snack is provided and includes healthier options such as fresh and dried fruits and vegetables, rice cakes, and low sodium pretzels. Please contact the staff with any dietary restrictions, and we will do our best to accommodate!
Dress for the weather
This part of our day focuses on developing self help skills: zipping, buttoning, pulling on boots, etc.
Students keep a set of outdoor clothes at school to ensure they are ready to explore outside no matter the weather and to avoid forgetting your gloves at home!
Outdoor Discovery Time
The best part of every day! Outdoor discovery time gives us the opportunity to take our lessons outdoors. For part of this time we will continue the lesson introduced inside the classroom. For the other half, students are free to explore and interact with the challenging and stimulating environment created by their peers and teachers.
Open House Dates
Our annual open house occurs at the end of our fall semester. Stop by our December Open House to meet the staff, tour the building, and ask any questions. We hope to see you there!
The next open house will be Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 1-5pm.
Enrollment
Enrollment for each school year opens at 7:30 AM on the first business day in January, prior to that school year. For example, enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year opens on January 2nd, 2025.
Registration will be ONLINE starting at 7:30am 1/2/25. Click the link here, and please read the registration guide PDF below.
If you prefer to register in person, you may do so at Stauffer Mansion, 1241 Lititz Pike.
Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration remains open until all spots are filled. After the first day of enrollment, inquiries about openings and registration forms may be submitted via email to NaturePreschool@manheimtownship.org
Tours and Observations
Can't wait for our winter open house? Email us to set up a tour!
If you'd like to observe a class we require that you have all of your PA-mandated volunteer clearances including a PA Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse History Clearance, and the FBI Criminal Background Check (only if you have lived outside of Pennsylvania in the last 10 years). Please email us for more details.
Mid-year Enrollment
If you are interested in enrolling mid-year, please email NaturePreschool@manheimtownship.org to inquire about openings. We are a school-year based program, so enrollment is for the entire school year, not by semester. Students beginning mid-year must meet the age requirement of 3 (or 4 for PreK) by the August 31st prior to enrollment.
Tuition
*Please note this is a school year based program. All students enrolled in fall semester are automatically enrolled in spring, with no reapplication required. During the school year, new students will be accepted only as spots open up.
Fall 2025 Semester [9/3/25-12/12/25 – 14 Calendar Weeks]
3-yr-old (Tu/Th) 9-11:30am
Manheim Township Resident- $810 ($60/Week)
Non-resident- $945 ($70/Week)
4-yr-old (M/W/F) 9-11:30 am
Manheim Township Resident- $1,072.50 ($82.50/Week)
Non-resident- $1,209 ($93/Week)
Mixed-Age Afternoons (Ages 3-5) (M-Fr 5 days) 12:30-3 pm
Manheim Township Resident- $1,749 ($132.50/Week)
Non-resident- $1,815 ($137.50/Week)
Spring 2026 Semester [1/5/26-5/15/26–19 Calendar weeks]
3-yr-old (Tu/Th) 9-11:30am
Manheim Township Resident- $1,140 ($60/Week)
Non-resident- $1,330 ($70/Week)
4-yr-old (M/W/F) 9-11:30 am
Manheim Township Resident- $1,375 ($82.50/Week)
Non-resident- $1,550 ($93/Week)
Mixed-Age Afternoons (Ages 3-5) (M-Fr 5 days) 12:30-3 pm
Manheim Township Resident- $2,332 ($132.50/Week)
Non-resident- $2,420 ($137.50/Week)
*All dates and prices are subject to change
Get In Touch
If you have any questions about our program
Tel: 717-290-7180
Email: NaturePreschool@manheimtownship.org
Location address:
2369 Lititz Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
Mailing address:
1241 Lititz Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601