Duneside Discovery Center at Mary A. White
Nature-Based Learning for Children Ages 3-5
At Duneside Discovery Center, our unique approach blends nature-based education with strong academic instruction to create a rich, engaging experience for every child.
Enrollment is now open for the 2025-2026 school year. Click below to get started:
Programs Available
Preschool: A Strong Start for Young Learners
Duneside Discovery Center at Mary A. White offers preschool programming for children ages 3-4.
- Preschool Development Program (3-year-olds): A tuition-based program for our youngest learners, PDP prepares children with foundational, play-based learning from certified teachers. Each school day lasts three hours with two-, three-, and five-day options available. Before-school and after-school care options are available through the GHAPS Open Door program.
- Great Start Readiness Program (4-year-olds): A state-funded program, GSRP is free with priority enrollment given to families at or below 400% of the federal poverty level. Our certified teachers help students build essential literacy, math, and social skills as they prepare for success in Young Fives or Kindergarten.
- Early Childhood Special Education (Ages 3-5): Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) programs support children ages 3–5 with developmental delays or disabilities, providing personalized instruction and services to help them grow, learn, and thrive in preschool.
Young Fives: The Gift of Time and the Power of Nature
Research strongly supports that children who are on the younger side of school entry or need more time developmentally can benefit significantly from a Young Fives program, including:
- Self-Regulation and Mental Health: Delaying kindergarten by a year can significantly boost focus and self-control—Stanford researchers found a 73% drop in inattention and hyperactivity by age 11 in later starters.
- Academic Readiness: Children in Young Fives often start kindergarten ahead in reading and math. A California study found those early gains can last through third grade.
- More Time to Grow: Young Fives gives younger children extra time to grow, focusing on social skills, confidence, and independence, so they’re ready to thrive in kindergarten.
Is Young Fives Right for Your Child?
Consider Young Fives if your child:
- Has a birthday close to the kindergarten cutoff date.
- Would benefit from an extra year to develop social and emotional skills.
- Could use additional time to build confidence and independence.
Why Outdoor Learning?
Guided by the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC) philosophy, students will explore and connect with the natural world through hands-on activities, seasonal investigations, and outdoor play. We use an emergent curriculum approach, meaning lessons and projects grow from the children’s interests and observations in nature. This fosters meaningful engagement and encourages students to ask questions and discover answers organically.
Research has shown that the time a child spends outdoors interacting with the natural environment can significantly impact children’s growth in areas such as:
Creative Problem-Solving
Outdoor learning improves executive function, focus, and creative problem-solving.
(Natural Learning Initiative; Frontiers in Psychology, 2022)
Frontiers Study
Social Skills
Nature-rich environments reduce stress, encourage cooperation, and improve mood.
(Children & Nature Network, 2021)
Environmental Curiosity
Children who spend time in nature develop deeper connections to the environment and demonstrate more curiosity-driven learning.
(Natural Learning Initiative, 2022)
Physical Health & Motor Skills
Children in nature-based programs show increased physical activity and improved motor development.
(National Institutes of Health, 2020; PMC7613039)
Outdoor Learning Spaces
Work on the outdoor play and discovery spaces will be completed in two phases, prioritizing safety and compliance and ensuring that fun, engaging, and age-appropriate spaces are available by the start of the 2025-2026 school year.
| Phase | Timeline | Key Objectives |
Phase 1A | Summer 2025 (completion by early July) |
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Phase 1B | July – November 2025 |
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Phase 2 | Late Spring – Summer 2026 |
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Natural Playscapes
Natural playgrounds like the one pictured above are designed to create an open-ended outdoor play area for children to make discoveries and interact with their environment.
The structures within natural playgrounds offer a wide range of opportunities to connect children with nature, stimulate creativity, and encourage social and physical development.
Outdoor Learning Environments
Outdoor learning environments like the one pictured above are designed to immerse children in the natural world, fostering exploration, creativity, and a deeper connection with nature. Students at Duneside Discovery Center will have the opportunity to learn in these environments every day!
Photos above are courtesy of ODC Network and are for visualization purposes only.
