Preschool Programs

For ages 2 to 5 - Outdoor experience in the woods, field or seashore during the school year

Owl Prowlers

Timberdoodles

Puffin Patrol

Weekdays 8 AM-12 PM

$40 per day

Weekdays 12 PM-5 PM
Weekdays 8 AM-5 PM

$45 per day
(includes rest time)

$75 per day
(includes rest time)

Please read our program description and policies under the parent handbook tab for more detailed information. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Curriculum

children laughing in snow pile
Ready Set Go Outside offers a child centered program in outdoor settings where children can safely explore with their senses, sing, read, build, practice mindfulness, write, dig, socialize, garden, exercise, relax, play with water, create, carve, and sculpt. Teachers will guide children in self exploration and offer resources as needed. The following topics will be covered as directed by the children’s interest.

Academics

How will children learn LITERACY? Children will learn letter/word recognition, letter-sound recognition, story sequencing, letter writing, vocabulary/language through story telling, reading story books, songs around the campfire, writing in journals, following directions, art, and more.
How will children learn MATHEMATICS? Children will learn number recognition, patterns, spatial awareness, measuring, organizing and sequencing through music, drumming, building, reading books, story telling, songs, arts, scientific observations, etc.
How will children learn SCIENCE? Children will learn through sensory exploration in natural settings, observation of living versus nonliving things, studying animal behavior, experimenting with natural elements, problem solving, gardening, and using tools (nets, microscopes, magnifiers, eye droppers, scales, measuring tools, digital technology, binoculars).
How will children learn SOCIAL STUDIES/SKILLS? Children will learn time concepts and seasons through observing the position of the sun, moon and stars. Social skills will develop through sharing tools, problem solving, cooperative activities, community service (e.g., recycling) and more. Children will learn map skills and navigating their neighborhood through orienteering activities. We can begin to explore democratic organization by involving children in teamwork and voting. Children will be integral in designing and building our outdoor classroom. Resilience and risk taking skills naturally develop in outdoor settings when children climb trees and rocks, splash in puddles, gather materials and build a structure, slide down a sand pile or snowy hill, and use tools like saws and hammers.
ART will be integrated through campfire and marching songs, drum circles, flute playing, rhythm instruments, drama through story telling, natural crafts, silly dances, and other movement activities.
MOTOR SKILLS will develop through exploring different terrain and elements, climbing, writing, using tools (sawing, whittling, knot tying, etc.), building, digging, swinging, sliding, sledding, etc.

Possible Topics of interest by season

hands making heart in forest
  • Introductions and forest exploration– Describe routine, guidelines for safety, trees, edibles, forest exploration, etc.
  • Tide pool discovery– 2 trips to beach (Winslow Park and cousin’s island), live animal touch tank, seashell exploration
  • Streams and ponds– net scooping for insects, tadpoles, fish, frogs, floating plants
  • Garden harvest– pumpkin/sunflower dissection, seed walk, leaf art, corn husking and crafts
  • Fall colors– scavenger hunt for colors, painting with nature, color combinations
  • Changes– seasons, senses, habitats
  • What’s in mud?- soil discovery, worm study, mud painting, clay art
  • Birds– adaptations, life cycles, habitats, habits
  • Navigating the outdoors, maps, compass, directions, shelter building
  • Temperature, climate, weather, clouds, precipitation
  • feeding, migration, hibernation
  • Web of life, food chains, predators and prey
  • Structures– build and test different builds using various materials found in nature, fairy houses
girl gardening
  • Sky– stars, sun, moon, constellations, etc.
  • Shells– animal shells, seed shells, nut shells, egg shells
  • Animal tracking– footprints, scat, animal homes, trails, signs
  • Evergreens– identify trees by bark, leaves, size and shape
  • Snowflakes and patterns
  • Geology, dinosaurs, rocks and minerals
  • Experiments with water, snow and ice
  • Owls– habits, adaptations, habitats, life cycle
  • Art in nature– review patterns and colors previously found,  photography, sketching, writing, painting
  • Mammal study– adaptations, habitats, life cycles, species
  • Patterns in nature– scavenger hunt for shapes and patterns, recreating natural patterns
  • Light and dark, glow in the dark, cycles, solar effects
  • Life cycles– mammals, birds, aquatic life, metamorphosis, plant cycles, fungus cycles
  • Spring, as nature’s nursery– study baby animal and plant beginnings
  • Animals that lay eggs– structure of eggs, amphibians, reptiles, birds, insects, types of eggs
teacher holding salamander
  • Spring changes, animal and plant evidence, weather, migration, hibernation
  • Macro and micro animals and plants– exploring the tiny in soil, water and air
  • Garden prep– seed study, germination, preparing soil, planting, watering, weeding, dirt play
  • Stewards of the Earth– solutions, problem solving, teaching what we know
  • Wind and flight– seed dispersion, kites, animals in flight, feather study
  • Fungus and decomposition– log dissections, fungus identification, decomposing insects and worms
  • Herps– habits, adaptations, and life cycles of reptiles and amphibians, vernal pools
  • Insects and spiders– habits, adaptations and life cycles of beetles, ants, bees and butterflies
  • Insects and spiders- habits, adaptations and life cycles spiders, web design, predator prey relationship, arthropods with more than 6 legs (sow bug study)
  • Ocean side-  salt marsh, tide pool and mud flat exploration
  • Fish and scales– ichthyologists hunt, capture, study and release various fish, habitats, adaptations, life cycles
Please read our program description and policies here for more information. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Download an Enrollment Form
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“I love this school because you don’t have to wear a mask and you don’t have to sit down all day and you get fresh air and you get to skate and in the summer, you can go swimming in a pond and you have fun and we have a big cabin. Will you please come.”
Wyatt Jackson (6)
“My children attended Ready, Set, Go! and LOVED it! My kids knew that they were loved and in a nurturing environment where they were encouraged to be kids. Their days were filled with play that was developmentally appropriate and that sparked their interest and creativity.”
Kari Crosman
“My daughter attended Ready, Set Go Learning Center to compliment her half day Pre-k experience for school. Her love for the outdoors has blossomed along with her confidence, creativity and inquisitive nature. The programming, staff and opportunities afforded by this program are beyond our wildest dreams.”
Jillian Merrill
“Our son loved outdoor learning and all the amazing hands-on experience Marisa created for the group. The kids weren’t rushed through lesson after lesson. They had time to figure things out and truly understand… This year our son went back to public school and to my surprise he was at or above where he needed to be starting Middle school… I am so happy for him and could not be happier with his experience at RSG….I know our son is better off today.”
Jennifer Elgaaen
“My children love this program. Marisa is so inclusive and so good with creating fun and memorable experiences for the kids. I would highly recommend this for kids who love to be outdoors learning!”
Kate Sansom
“Fantastic opportunity for experiential, outdoor education for students! If you have a child who loves the outdoors, this is a great opportunity for them to learn and be active in nature.”
Anonymous
“Both my kids went to Ready, Set, Go Learning Center for their preschool years. The environment is great for learning, creativity, and positive social experiences. The staff were so kind, loving, and fun. I really appreciated the connection to the natural environment, field trips, and many opportunities for play. I would highly recommend sending your children here!”
Elizabeth Cyr
“Ready Set Go has been amazing for our outdoorsy, adventurous and dirt loving kiddo. The owner Marisa and her wonderful staff are caring, energetic and passionate people who create wonderful experiences and memories every day. We couldn’t think of a better place for our son and we would recommend Ready, Set, Go! to anyone who has an outdoor, adventure loving kiddo!“
Shay Murphy
“Highly recommend Ready, Set, Go! My kids have been attending for a little over a year now and love it! Marisa and staff allow the kids to learn and experiment on their own and with some guidance. The kids come home with smiles on their faces from experiences that are not only fun, but educational. 10/10 in my book!”
Autumn Hawkes
“This was absolutely the greatest experience ever. The teachers and the owner are amazing, informative and loving. They always communicate and are transparent about everything. This childcare is a MUST try. ❤️”
Majlinda Mulla