The Audubon Nature Preschool is set on 40 acres just down the street, and is fantastic. My son is loving all the time outdoors and will be well- prepared for K.

I visited and thought it was a little run down and that the teacher student ratio wasn't as hgh as other schools that were as pricey..that said, I have heard nothing but good things about it ---

It's not hard to get into in that it's a "competitive" process. They determine who gets in on a first-come, first-served basis, keeping a balance of girls and boys. If you haven't scheduled your tour by now, it's probably too late, although it can't hurt to call and try.

If you're looking for a more academic place, Outdoor Nursery is probably not for you. It definitely stresses nature and the environment over the traditional ABCs and 123s. People definitely love Outdoor, but it's not for everyone.

I was always told that it is very hard to get into. The school opens its phone lines on a particular day at 8 am, and you call as early as possible to set up a visit. The earlier your visit date is, the better chance you have of getting in. Our visit was not one of the earliest, and we were put on the wait list (5th). Fortunately, we got off the wait list and our daughter is loving it.

There is a similar school in the area - The Audobon Society. I don't know much about it, but it is very much outdoors oriented as well.

How hard is it to get in?

Are there any other similar schools in the area?

Anonymous wrote:OP here-
Thanks for all the responses.
I love the idea of being outside to learn.....
I just want my child to be very ready for K- she is just shy of 4 and knows letters and most sounds now and I want to foster her "sponge like" eagerness.

So foster it yourself. It sounds like you already are. Unless you have a home filled with say 12+ other children your child's own age, preschool is where she is going to learn social skills. I taught my son to read at home but I can't reproduce the environment of preschool. The only requirement for K is to be age eligible (depends on your county when the age cutoff is).

Just wanted to add that the school has a good reputation. I wish they had a school like this closer to where I live.

OP here-
Thanks for all the responses.
I love the idea of being outside to learn.....
I just want my child to be very ready for K- she is just shy of 4 and knows letters and most sounds now and I want to foster her "sponge like" eagerness.

I have never been to this school but there is a lot of studies that show preschools like this prepare children for elementary or primary school really well.

A lot of kids find the nature environment less stressful more fun so they learn to love learning.

It sounds like a great place to go. I know there is a place in Virginia seems to follow the same idea and they have a wait list.

I know one family whose kids went there and they were happy enough with the prep for K, although the school does not focus on "academics" in the traditional sense. I think they preferred the environment to a school that focused more on teaching kids academic subjects in preschool, and they have been happy with their decision.

My DD just started there this year and we absolutely love it. There is just something special about the school. Her current teacher is excellent, and from what I hear, the teacher she will have next year is even better.

Our DC'S teacher was previously a K teacher at Rosemary Hills. She is excellent and really seems to do K activities with them - patterns, counting, recognizing & writing their names the school way. We are very pleased and our DC adores the place.

Have you visited yet--it's sort of a "state of nature" approach to learning.

Any thoughts or experiences on The Outdoor Nursery School in Chevy Chase, MD?
Mainly wanting to know how well prepared you child was for entrance into K after attending