This article was written by Alyson Quinn
Tucked away in the Anwatin/Bryn Mawr School Forest are three preschool ‘classrooms’ used by the Minneapolis Nature Preschool (MNP). Teachers and children meet in small groups for nature based play and learning. Minneapolis Nature Preschool programming is offered in all seasons. Our nonprofit focuses on accessible, high quality early childhood education in a nature based setting. This past year, MNP has remained 100 percent outdoors as a result of COVID-19, and children are thriving. In the school year to come, MNP will be offering both morning and afternoon preschool classes, and will be collaborating with Bryn Mawr High-5 to offer a combination of the two programs. Our mission is cultivating the innate curiosity and wonder of young children through nature-based education in Minneapolis.
The Minneapolis Nature Preschool welcomes families from throughout the metro area. Our organization prioritizes enrollment for currently enrolled children and siblings. We also prioritize the enrollment of Northside residents, Black and Indigenous children and families of color, as well as LGBTQ2+ identified families as an action step to ensuring accessible early childhood educational opportunities for communities that have been historically and systemically erased, excluded and forcibly removed from nature spaces.
Enrollment details: Children must be between the ages of 3 and 5 years old and fully potty trained by September 1. Families may apply now at minneapolisnaturepreschool.org/registration.
We look forward to seeing more Northside families join our nature preschool community!