Preschool Programs

As one of the first nature-based preschools in the region, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s programming is designed to build on children’s inherent curiosity.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s renowned preschool programs serve children ages one to six each year through classes in four specially designed classrooms, where children participate in hands-on, age-appropriate activities to support social, physical and academic development. The surrounding 100-acre parkland and access to Lake Erie serve as an extended outdoor classroom, making the Center uniquely positioned to influence the next generation’s understanding of local wildlife and conservation efforts.

In all of Lake Erie Nature & Science Center’s preschool programs, highly skilled instructors integrate Ohio Early Learning Standards such as science, math, literacy and the arts into fun learning experiences while fostering cooperative learning and social competence. The result is transformative: the Center fosters a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.

Nature Nuts studying forest floor

Preschool Programs

2023-2024 Session Classes

Registration for 2023-2024 preschool sessions is ongoing with prorated fees. Registration for Spring 2024 15-week sessions is available through the program links below.

Forest Friends

For children ages 1 – 2 with one adult

Little ones love nature! Join us for fun and adventure in this 1-hour program which will feature a different nature theme each week. Meet an animal, create a simple craft, enjoy playtime, and experience nature indoors and outdoors. Forest Friends is a great introduction to the Center’s preschool programs. 

Fall 2023:

Fridays
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

15-week session: Classes take place weekly

Please call 440-871-2900 or email info@lensc.org to register with a prorated fee.

Spring 2024:

Fridays
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

15-week session: Classes take place weekly
Fee: $330/child

Frogs & Polliwogs

For children ages 2 – 3 with one adult

Hands-on activities, music, games and simple crafts are just the beginning of a new nature or science-based theme each week. Get ready for live animal encounters and come dressed for the weather as we head out on mini-explorations!

Fall 2023:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

15-week session: Classes take place weekly

Please call 440-871-2900 or email info@lensc.org to register with a prorated fee.

Spring 2024:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

15-week session: Classes take place weekly
Fee: $330/child

Select Saturdays:
March 9 and May 11
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Wild Things

For children ages 1 – 6 with one adult

Explore the wild things of your backyard and beyond with your little one! Each class you will meet an animal, make a craft and get wild with nature. Topics change weekly, so choose one or more dates!

Thursdays
December 28

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Saturdays
November 25, December 16, January 27, February 24, March 30, and April 27
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Fee: $30/child per class

Nature Nuts

For children ages 3 – 5

This 2-hour program introduces children to the wonders of science and nature! Our play-based nature and science themed curriculum includes social skill development, hands-on activities, animal encounters, hikes, story time, crafts and planetarium visits. New curriculum offered each year. Children must be fully bathroom independent.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Wednesdays or Thursdays
12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

30-week session: Classes take place weekly

Please call 440-871-2900 or email info@lensc.org to register with a prorated fee.

Earthlings

For children ages 4 – 6

This 2 ½-hour adventure is full of hands-on fun in our classroom, planetarium and the great outdoors! Whether preparing for Kindergarten or already attending, your little earthling will love this program where we investigate the wonders of Earth and the sky above. Children will explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, math and nature! New curriculum offered each year. Please dress for outdoor adventures!

2023-2024 Academic Year:

Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

30-week session: Classes take place weekly

Please call 440-871-2900 or email info@lensc.org to register with a prorated fee.

Individual Classes:

Saturdays
January 20, February 10, March 9, and April 20
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Fee: $40/child per class

Stepping Stones to Kindergarten

For children ages 4 – 6

Nature is full of hands-on interactive ways to introduce and practice literacy and math skills! Exploring the world around us provides many opportunities to develop interest in letters and sounds, numbers and counting and writing. This program, led by a recent kindergarten teacher and reading specialist, will provide small group kindergarten skill enrichment creating the foundation for a love of learning in a fun and natural environment.

Fall 2023:

Mondays
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

15-week session: Classes take place weekly

Please call 440-871-2900 or email info@lensc.org to register with a prorated fee.

Spring 2024:

Mondays
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

15-week session: Classes take place weekly
Fee: $660/child

2023-2024 Preschool Session Dates

15-week Sessions: Classes take place weekly September 11, 2023 – January 20, 2024

30-week Sessions: Classes take place weekly September 11, 2023 – May 11, 2024

No classes: November 19 – 25, 2023; December 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024; or March 31, 2024 – April 7, 2024

Policies and Registration

Refund Policy: Notification is required one week prior to the start of a program to be eligible for a refund. A service fee of 5% will be applied to all refunds. Please note there are no refunds for missed classes and make-up classes are not provided.

Switching Classes Policy: Lake Erie Nature & Science Center will assess a service fee of $25 for requests to switch preschool classes. Under special circumstances, the service fee may be waived.

Ohio ACE inv bluetxt 1

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is a registered service provider of the Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment (ACE) educational savings account program. The Ohio ACE program provides funds for students and families to use on various enrichment and educational activities, including tutoring, day camps, music lessons, study skills services and field trips. This program is available to any Ohio child ages 6 to 18 years old who meets at least one of the eligibility requirements. Learn more at aceohio.org.

Upcoming Programs

march 2024

tue19mar9:30 AMtue10:30 AMFrogs & Polliwogs - Tues. 9:30 A.M.For children ages 2 – 3 with one adult9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

tue19mar9:30 AMtue11:30 AMNature Nuts - Tue. 9:30 A.M.For children ages 3 - 59:30 AM - 11:30 AM

tue19mar11:00 AMtue12:00 PMFrogs & Polliwogs - Tue. 11:00 A.M.For children ages 24 – 36 months with one adult11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

wed20mar9:30 AMwed10:30 AMFrogs & Polliwogs - Wed. 9:30 A.M.For children ages 2 – 3 with one adult9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

wed20mar9:30 AMwed11:30 AMNature Nuts - Wed. 9:30 A.M.For children ages 3 - 59:30 AM - 11:30 AM

wed20mar9:30 AMwed12:00 PMEarthlings - Wed. 9:30 A.M.For children ages 4 - 69:30 AM - 12:00 PM

wed20mar11:00 AMwed12:00 PMFrogs & Polliwogs - Wed. 11 A.M.For children ages 2 – 3 with one adult11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

wed20mar12:30 PMwed2:30 PMNature Nuts - Wed. 12:30 P.M.For children ages 3 - 512:30 PM - 2:30 PM

thu21mar9:30 AMthu10:30 AMFrogs & Polliwogs - Thu. 9:30 A.M.For children ages 24 – 36 months with one adult9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

thu21mar9:30 AMthu11:30 AMNature Nuts - Thu. 9:30 A.M.For children ages 3 - 59:30 AM - 11:30 AM

thu21mar11:00 AMthu12:00 PMFrogs & Polliwogs - Thu. 11:00 A.M.For children ages 24 – 36 months with one adult11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

thu21mar12:30 PMthu2:30 PMNature Nuts - Thu. 12:30 P.M.For children ages 3 - 512:30 PM - 2:30 PM

fri22mar9:30 AMfri10:30 AMForest Friends - Fri. 9:30 A.M.For children ages 1 – 2 years with one adult9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

fri22mar9:30 AMfri11:30 AMNature Nuts - Fri. 9:30 A.M.For children ages 3 - 59:30 AM - 11:30 AM

fri22mar9:30 AMfri12:00 PMEarthlings - Fri. 9:30 A.M.For children ages 4 - 69:30 AM - 12:00 PM

fri22mar11:00 AMfri12:00 PMForest Friends - Fri. 11:00 A.M.For children ages 1 – 2 years with one adult11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

mon25mar9:30 AMmon10:30 AMFrogs & Polliwogs - Mon. 9:30 A.M.For children ages 2 – 3 with one adult9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

mon25mar9:30 AMmon11:30 AMStepping Stones to KindergartenFor children ages 4 - 69:30 AM - 11:30 AM

mon25mar11:00 AMmon12:00 PMFrogs & Polliwogs - Mon. 11:00 A.M.For children ages 2 – 3 with one adult11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

mon25mar12:30 PMmon2:30 PMStepping Stones to KindergartenFor children ages 4 - 612:30 PM - 2:30 PM

sat30mar9:30 AMsat10:30 AMWild ThingsFor children ages 1 – 6 years with one adult9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

april 2024

sat20apr9:30 AMsat11:30 AMSaturday EarthlingsFor children ages 4 - 69:30 AM - 11:30 AM

sat27apr9:30 AMsat10:30 AMWild ThingsFor children ages 1 – 6 years with one adult9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

may 2024

sat11may9:30 AMsat10:30 AMSaturday Frogs & PolliwogsFor children ages 1 – 5 years with one adult9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

june 2024

mon03jun9:30 AMmon11:30 AMSummer Nature Nuts CampFor children ages 3 – 69:30 AM - 11:30 AM

mon03jun12:30 PMmon2:30 PMSummer Nature Nuts CampFor children ages 3 – 612:30 PM - 2:30 PM

tue04jun9:30 AMtue11:30 AMSummer Nature Nuts CampFor children ages 3 – 69:30 AM - 11:30 AM

tue04jun12:30 PMtue2:30 PMSummer Nature Nuts CampFor children ages 3 – 612:30 PM - 2:30 PM

wed05jun9:30 AMwed11:30 AMSummer Nature Nuts CampFor children ages 3 – 69:30 AM - 11:30 AM

tue11jun(jun 11)9:30 AMthu13(jun 13)11:30 AMKindercamp - Camp 1For children ages 4 - 69:30 AM - 11:30 AM (13)

tue11jun(jun 11)12:30 PMthu13(jun 13)2:30 PMKindercamp - Camp 1For children ages 4 - 612:30 PM - 2:30 PM (13)

tue18jun(jun 18)9:30 AMthu20(jun 20)11:30 AMKindercamp - Camp 2For children ages 4 - 69:30 AM - 11:30 AM (20)

tue18jun(jun 18)12:30 PMthu20(jun 20)2:30 PMKindercamp - Camp 2For children ages 4 - 612:30 PM - 2:30 PM (20)

july 2024

tue09jul(jul 9)9:30 AMthu11(jul 11)11:30 AMKindercamp - Camp 3For children ages 4 - 69:30 AM - 11:30 AM (11)

tue09jul(jul 9)12:30 PMthu11(jul 11)2:30 PMKindercamp - Camp 3For children ages 4 - 612:30 PM - 2:30 PM (11)

tue16jul(jul 16)9:30 AMthu18(jul 18)11:30 AMKindercamp - Camp 4For children ages 4 - 69:30 AM - 11:30 AM (18)

tue16jul(jul 16)12:30 PMthu18(jul 18)2:30 PMKindercamp - Camp 4For children ages 4 - 612:30 PM - 2:30 PM (18)

tue23jul(jul 23)9:30 AMthu25(jul 25)11:30 AMKindercamp - Camp 5For children ages 4 - 69:30 AM - 11:30 AM (25)

tue23jul(jul 23)12:30 PMthu25(jul 25)2:30 PMKindercamp - Camp 5For children ages 4 - 612:30 PM - 2:30 PM (25)

tue30julthu01augKindercamp - Camp 6For children ages 4 - 6(july 30) 9:30 AM - (august 1) 11:30 AM

tue30julthu01augKindercamp - Camp 6For children ages 4 - 6(july 30) 12:30 PM - (august 1) 2:30 PM