Bookworm Gardens Nature School
Play, explore, discover, and learn in our nine-month nature-based early-childhood program.
Coming Up Next: Enrollment now closed for the 24/25 school year. Enrollment Lottery took place on February 1.
The Bookworm Gardens Nature School is a program through the Education Department of Bookworm Gardens and thus shares our mission to "inspire the love of books and nature in the young and young at heart." Using nature as a catalyst for learning, we aim to foster a sense of wonder through play and inquiry-based exploration. Stay up to date by filling out our Interest Survey below.
Specifics:
Our two day a week Nature School takes place Tuesday / Thursday mornings from 9 AM - 12 PM. The 23/24 class is currently full. Enrollment for the 24/25 school year will take place via lottery on February 1, 2024. Enrollment materials will be available for the 24/25 school year starting December 1, 2023.
Learners must be Age 3 by September 1 of the upcoming school year. Learners Age 3-4 are welcome.
Classes take place onsite September - May throughout the Gardens. Learners spend over 50% of their day outside (unless there are severe weather conditions).
Our max class size is 16 learners with two educators.
Classes are tuition-based. Scholarships opportunities may be available.
24/25 Member Tuition: $267 per month (x9 months) = $2,400 (20% discount off non-member rate)
24/25 Non-member Tuition: $334 per month (x9 months) = $3,000 non member
key dates
December 1 - January 31: enrollment materials available for the following school year
February 1: enrollment lottery will take place. Families will be notified on February 1 if they have been chosen through the lottery or added to the waitlist for the upcoming school year.
February 15: non-refundable deposit due for families that have been chosen through the lottery for the upcoming school year.
September: 2024 / 2025 classes begin
“Bookworm has become a place of joy, discovery, community, peace, and learning for my young family.”
Our Core Values
At Bookworm Gardens, we value:
Play As Learning
Seasonal Exploration
Respect for the Natural World
Hands-on Discovery
Our Philosophy
Based upon seasonal changes, our nature-based curriculum includes daily outdoor discovery of the Gardens that incorporates:
Social Emotional Learning
Art, Movement, Music + Dramatic Play
Cooking + Food Experiences
Science + Math Discovery
Language Exploration
Large + Small Motor Skill Development
We look forward to nurturing your child’s curiosity and helping them explore their love of learning through nature and literature!
Meet our staff
Rachel Marsden, Preschool Director + Educator
Rachel has been an educator at Bookworm Gardens for 5+ years. She has a passion for incorporating nature-based learning into early childhood education and has worked in preschools, daycares, and public schools for over twelve years.
Favorite children's book: I thought about it for a week and couldn't pick just one!
Favorite plant: A tomato plant - I love the smell of their leaves!
Favorite food: A charcuterie board with sour dough bread
Favorite garden space at Bookworm: My family loves the Woodland Gateway - specifically Fairy Houses
Favorite place in Sheboygan OTHER THAN Bookworm: Maywood Environmental Park or anywhere in the forest or by the lake
Bianca beilke, early childhood education coordinator + educator
Bianca has been an educator in our Sprouts + Seedlings program since Fall 2021. In Spring 2022 she joined us full time to coordinate our Sprouts, Summer Camp, and Early Childhood Programs! Prior to teaching at Bookworm, she taught as a public school teacher and in various other early childhood education settings. She is passionate about using play and inquiry-based learning to foster children’s connection to nature.
Favorite children’s book: Strega Nona has been a favorite since childhood because of how much I love pasta!
Favorite plant: Purple Coneflower! I love how bright and colorful they are!
Favorite food: Pasta with my grandma’s homemade tomato sauce. I used to eat this every Sunday for family dinners when I was a kid.
Favorite garden at Bookworm: The Creative Gateway
Favorite place in Sheboygan OTHER THAN Bookworm Gardens: Deland Park! My family and I love to fly kites there in the summer.
