Balch Nature School

The Balch Nature School is a fully licensed, 4-STAR preschool providing nature-based learning at the Fairbanks Museum for children ages 3 to 5.

We offer 2, 3, 4, and 5 day/week attendance options, as well as after-care. The Balch Nature School accepts Universal Pre-K Vouchers.

We believe children are born with a desire to explore and understand the natural world, and that early experiences with nature set a precedent for lifelong learning and well-being. We are committed to supporting and building on every child's innate interest in exploring the natural world.

We provide children with special nature-centered opportunities to learn about themselves, the world, life, and our curriculum response to students' interests.  We offer students a range of "real" materials--water, soil, rocks, plants, snow.  Balch children learn by doing; they play in the mud, climb on logs, follow insects, and plant seeds.

Students must be fully toilet trained for this drop-off program.

• Classes meet in the Balch Nature School indoor/outdoor space at the Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium in St. Johnsbury, interspersed with local field trips. 
• We spend time outdoors each day.
• We offer a quality environment that meets preschoolers' developmental needs, while inspiring a connection with nature.
• Maximum class size is 12 students.

Contact Carolyn Guest, Balch Nature Preschool director, to find out more.

For application and financial information, click here.