Nasci Learning Forest

Why Did We Choose a Nature-Based Preschool Model?

We’re building the kind of preschool we would want for our own child + the one we wanted growing up: plenty of time outdoors, a small group setting, hands-on learning, and strong relationships.

Our family has spent years exploring homesteading, environmental education, and nature-based learning. With opening our preschool, we keep coming back to a simple idea: kids learn best when they can move, explore, observe, and ask questions about the world around them.

We’re ready to welcome families and would love to show you what we’re creating here in East Atlanta. Book a tour today! 🐞🌱

What’s Growing in Our Outdoor Classroom?

A garden that changes week by week!

Little ones learn a lot by returning to the same place and noticing what’s different. A new flower blooms, a tomato starts to form, or a seedling doubles in size. These small changes help build observation skills, patience, and curiosity.

As we get ready to welcome families, we’re spending time caring for the outdoor spaces that will become part of the learning environment.

If you’d like to see the space for yourself, please schedule a tour! Link in bio.

Sundays are quiet at NLF 🌿

Before a new week begins, we spend time preparing the space little by little:
🪴 checking the garden
📚 rotating books on the shelf
🍃 tidying outdoor materials
🐓 caring for the chickens
☀️ noticing what has changed in the yard throughout the week

As we get ready to welcome future families, we’re thoughtfully creating an environment that feels calm, connected, and grounded in nature for children ages 3–5.

A magnifying glass is one of the best outdoor learning tools out there. 🔎

It encourages kids to slow down & look closely. Leaves can become a study of patterns. A notch in tree bark reveals a whole other world! An insect sparks 100 questions.

We stock our shelves with simple, open-ended materials that encourage curiosity, exploration, and discovery. Kids don’t need elaborate materials to learn. A few intentionally chosen tools and time outside are enough!

What would you take a closer look at first? 👀

Looking for a simple outdoor activity this weekend? 🌿

One of the easiest ways to encourage curiosity and connection with nature is through a simple “nature treasure hunt.”

As we prepare experiences for children ages 3–5 at Nasci Learning Forest, we’re thinking about activities that help children slow down, observe closely, and engage their senses outdoors.

This weekend, try taking a short walk and collecting a few nature treasures like:
🍃 interesting leaves
🪨 smooth rocks
🌼 fallen flowers
🪵 sticks or bark textures
🪶 feathers (if found naturally)

You can place them in a basket, sort them by color or texture, or simply talk about what you notice together.

Sometimes meaningful learning begins with very simple moments outside.

Books are a big part of the atmosphere we’re preparing at Nasci Learning Forest 🌿📚

We’re intentionally choosing stories that invite children ages 3-5 to:
🍃 notice the natural world
🐦 slow down and observe
🌱 care for living things
🪵 use imagination and curiosity
☀️ connect with seasonal rhythms and outdoor life

Some of the books currently on our shelf this week are simple, cozy, nature-rich stories that pair beautifully with outdoor exploration, gardening, and play-based learning.

A thoughtful early childhood environment is built through spaces that help children feel calm, connected, and curious.