Nature's Way Preschool
Nature’s Way Preschool, a program of the Kalamazoo Nature Center, has connected young children and families with nature for over 30 years. The preschool has been located on Oakland Drive in Kalamazoo since 1982, growing from a one-room log cabin into one of the nation’s longest-running environmental preschool programs. The beautiful LEED-certified building, completed in 2011, now serves 128 students fir both morning and afternoon sessions. Set on 30 wooded acres along the west fork of Portage Creek, dedicated staff continues to inspire exploration, tradition, and a lifelong love of the outdoors.
2026-27 School Year Updates
Thanks for your interest in Nature’s Way Preschool!
2026-27 Orientation Dates
Contact Us
At Nature’s Way Preschool, we provide a caring and positive atmosphere for young learners to thrive. Students spend the majority of their school day outdoors, allowing them to make deep connections with the natural world. Based on the knowledge that children learn through play, classroom routines encourage active involvement, meaningful experimentation, and the joy of discovery. Schedules are designed to balance structure and free choice, as well as active and quiet times. We recognize that children advance through developmental stages and allow each individual to work at their own pace without pressure. Each school day is a multi-sensory adventure.
3-4 year olds:
Tuesday/Thursday Classes
Students must be 3 years old by September 1 to attend.
2 day morning* 8:30-11:30
2 day morning* 8:45-11:45
2 day afternoon* 12:30-3:30
2 day afternoon* 12:45-3:45
*All 2 day classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Families save $100 by paying for the school year in full (Monthly payments reflect a $100 processing fee.)
4-5 year olds:
Monday/Wednesday/Friday Classes
Pre-kindergarten
3 day morning* 8:30-11:30
3 day morning* 8:45-11:45
3 day afternoon* 12:30-3:30
3 day afternoon* 12:45-3:45
*All 3 day classes are held Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Families save $100 by paying for the school year in full (Monthly payments reflect a $100 processing fee.)
Sprouts
at KNC’s Stryker Nature Preserve
for Ages 3 & under
Our Sprouts program is perfect for young children aged 3 and under, with their caregivers, to explore, climb, get messy, observe, build, craft, and tell stories while fostering an early love of nature. Each session will have a small group size of 12 children with a caregiver.
Workshops & Events
Learn about the ancient tradition of wreath making. Paint a gourd birdhouse to bring home for a feathered friend. Head to the forest to gather materials for a hand-crafted meal using foraged delicacies.
At KNC, we invite people of all ages to reconnect with the natural world and rediscover your creative voice, no matter your experience level. Check out the calendar for a variety of upcoming programs!