NatureSTEAM Preschool

Who are we?

About Us

NatureSTEAM Preschool is a preschool program that is dedicated to serving the Dripping Springs, South Austin, and surrounding communities. We are here to give your little ones the best possible environment for their learning and fun. NatureSTEAM Preschool is a program inspired by Waldorf, Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and STEAM.

Philosophy

Our operating philosophy is to provide an engaging and fun learning environment that is conducive to holistic learning for the young minds. We believe our curriculum reflects our values and goals.

Curriculum

We offer a program inspired by Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia. Children enjoy a fun filled environment with sensorial, practical, and artistic activities. Along with that, we incorporate STEAM activities through out our day.

Services

NatureSTEAM Preschool offers a flexible preschool program (full, half, and alternate day enrollment plans) based on Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia philosophies. We also incorporate STEAM activities through out our day.

Locations

NatureSTEAM Preschool serves Dripping Springs, South Austin, and surrounding communities in a conveniently accessible location from 290 West. See map at the bottom of this page.


Opportunities

We are always looking for loving, caring and dedicated teachers, assistant teachers, and substitute teachers. Please see the Careers section for more info, and don't hesitate to send your resume.


Testimonials

Thriving in an engaging environment...Encouraged to explore...Best decision...Couldn't be happier...Wants to go on weekends too...Quality attention...Child is asking for more work...Excited to go to school...True passion for educating...more below

Our Environment

Philosophy

NatureSTEAM Preschool offers a unique pre-school enrichment program for children 1.5+ years to 6 years of age. We incorporate ideas from the Montessori, Waldorf, Reggio Emilia, and Jean Piaget philosophies about basic early childhood development learning in our activities. We introduce children to STEAM through various exciting and fun activities. Using STEAM, children learn to make thoughtful decisions, engage in experiential learning and problem-solving, learn collaboration, and engage in creative process.

Our school believes in the holistic development of children. Therefore, the school curriculum provides wide array of activities with focus on nature, science, environment, music, art, computers, and physical education. We facilitate such learning through hands-on exploration, experimentation, crafts, music, and outdoor activities. Our setting inspires curiosity, wonder, and creativity. By providing an open environment with wide array of experiences to young children, we hope to foster a lifelong relationship with nature.

We provide an environment in which children cherish time spent at school. Our educational materials are multisensory and our kids follow natural path to reading, writing and problem solving. Our compassionate, well-trained, equipped, and motivated staff is prepared to help the children grow intellectually, emotionally, and socially.

Our classes are held in a variety of nature-oriented settings, both inside and outside. Our outdoor environment is carefully prepared for kids to explore their surroundings under the watchful eyes of adult supervision. We introduce children to a variety of art, science, math, and language theme surroundings to promote focused learning.

Our children enjoy eating their lunches outdoors, like many of us dream doing each day as we sit in our offices. For us at NatureSTEAM Preschool, nature play is important aspect of our daily routine. New findings indicate that children who regularly play and spend time in nature grow up healthier, smarter, and happier.

In NatureSTEAM Preschool, children pursue their own interests at the pace of their choosing. NatureSTEAM Preschool guides watch and provide guidance to steer and spawn interests on individual basis. Before they start any activity, children learn to prepare their environment. Our children work in multi-age group setting. Our multi-age grouping provides children with opportunities for broad social development. The younger children receive stimulation from the older children’s activities. The older children, in turn, benefit from helping the younger ones. They develop confidence, while solidifying their own concepts/knowledge, by teaching younger children. Our school in many ways resembles a family. Parental involvement adds to the NatureSTEAM Preschool community spirit. NatureSTEAM Preschool teaches kids to be independent, focused, motivated, curious, inquisitive, passionate, compassionate, tolerant, conscious of their surroundings, and above all – Love nature and be happy!

If you have any questions, please email ContactUs@MyNatureSTEAMSchool.com. You may also reach us at 512-538-5791.

Our Programs

Curriculum

The Curriculum Reflects Our Values

We have developed a curriculum that meets state licensing requirements and offers a high degree of flexibility. In keeping with our philosophy of an all-inclusive approach to early childhood education, curriculum components are age-specific and can be adjusted to meet the needs of children at varying stages of development.

The preschool curriculum is designed for toddlers and includes arts and crafts (to hone fine and gross motor skills), indoor and outdoor play groups, sensory/cognitive exercises and more.

Components of Our Program

Our preschool program emphasizes fine and gross motor skills, socialization and self-discovery. The curriculum eases children into the wonderful world of learning through play and other activities. Some of these activities include:

  • Montessori inspired blocks - sensorial skills though our practical life Montessori materials
  • STEAM Learning - skills development though inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking
  • Reggio Emilia inspired blocks - lessons are based on the interest of the students
  • Waldorf inspired blocks - children engagement in domestic, practical, and artistic activities
  • Circle time for stories, songs and rhymes with focus on motions or movements
  • Calendar, weather, language, and literacy activities
  • Nature and Science activities using wood, natural fibers, rocks, sticks, pinecones, silks, and beeswax
  • Handwork - paper crafts, felting, hand knitting
  • Environment
  • Imaginative play
  • Artistic activities
  • Science and nature exploration
  • Pre-literacy activities
  • Social and self-help skills
  • Foreign languages
  • Sign-language
  • Yoga stretches
  • Multicultural holidays and festivals
  • Family community building
  • Music
  • Story time
  • Creative drama and movement
  • Gardening
  • Crafts and fine arts

What we offer

Services

At NatureSTEAM Preschool, we try to keep the admissions process as simple as possible, while offering ample opportunity to get to know the school before you sign up. Our preschool enrichment program options are unique and affordable.


    Due to limited space and a high number of applicants each year, we are unfortunately unable to accept every child for admission. Applications are processed in the order they are received.

    We're proud of our school, and we'd like to ask prospective parents to set up an appointment to visit NatureSTEAM Preschool prior to submitting application. To make an appointment with one of our directors, please call us at 512-538-5791 or contact us by e-mail.

    We accept applications throughout the year. Please do not forget to include the non-refundable fee (payable by check or cash), along with your application form. We require an application fee of $150.00. This fee is non-refundable.



    NatureSTEAM Preschool is open year round, Monday through Friday. Hours of operation are:
    • Full-time plan (M-F, 8:30 am-4:30 pm)
    • Half days AM (M-F, 8:30-12:30)
    • Half days PM (M-F, 12:30-4:30)
    • Alternate-3days (M, W, F, 8:30-4:30)
    • Alternate-2days (Tu, Th, 8:30-4:30)

    We also offer morning and afternoon extended hours:

    • 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM (M-F) (Covid Hours)
    • 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM (M-F)


    Tuition is due monthly or annually and does not change based on sick days, vacations, school closures or other days when school is not in session.

    NatureSTEAM Preschool offers a number of flexible full, half, and alternate day plans.

    Please call us to get the current rates.



    Here are the fee schedule and payment policies:

    • All program require a nonrefundable, nontransferable application fee of $250.
    • A deposit in an amount equal to the monthly tuition is paid at the time of enrollment. This amount is considered last month's payment.
    • Tuition is due by the 1st of each month.
    • There is a 7-day grace period; after the 7thday of each month, a late fee of $50 is assessed.
    • $10 per day late fee is charged after the 7th of the month, including weekends.
    • If the tuition is unpaid by the 1st of the following month, your child will not be able to attend school.
    • Late pick-up fee is $10, in 15-minute increments.
    • Returned checks are charged a late fee of $50.00.
    • If NatureSTEAM Preschool receives more than one returned check per family, we reserve the right to require payments in cash.
    • There are no refunds given for vacations, absences, or holidays.
    • NatureSTEAM Preschool has an initial non-refundable supply fee of $100 that is due at the time of admission.
    • NatureSTEAM Preschool has a semiannual non-refundable supply fee of $100 that is due with January and July tuition.
    • If you need to withdraw your child from the NatureSTEAM Preschool program, you must provide a written notice at least 30-days in advance of the last day of attendance.

Our Schedule

Calendar

Additional information

Documents

Please follow links below to see the documents:

    Waitlist Application
    Application Form

We Are Here!

Location

Our Work

Opportunities

NatureSTEAM Preschool is always looking for loving and dedicated teachers, assistant teachers, and substitute teachers with preschool and childcare experience. We offer very competitive salaries, along with a friendly and compassionate work environment.

We are looking for someone with following skills/qualities/attributes:

  • Proven ability and drive to instruct preschool-aged children in activities designed to promote intellectual and creative growth.
  • Passion and love for children.
  • Energetic, positive, responsible, flexible, punctual, respectful and professional attitude, regardless of the situation.
  • Ability to maintain an organized, clean, fun, and interactive classroom.
  • Interest in encouraging creativity, exploration, and decision-making by the children.
  • Drive to create, lead, and manage a team with compassion.
  • At least 1-yr experience in licensed child care.
  • Clean Criminal Background Check.
  • Passion for Early Childhood Education.
  • A natural connection to the outdoors and doesn't mind getting messy with the kids.
  • Proof of valid CPR/First Aid certification.
  • Pass state background check and FBI fingerprint check.
  • Experience in a licensed preschool facility.
  • Prior practical and relevant exposure to make children's day safe, organized, fun, and intellectually/socially stimulating.
  • Access to reliable transportation.
  • Montessori (AMI, AMS, or NAMC), Waldorf, STEAM, and/or Reggio Emilia experience preferred.
  • Ability to lift 40 pounds.
  • Convenient access to commute to Dripping Springs.
  • Experience in STEAM, Waldorf, Reggio, or Montessori a plus.
  • Interests in Gardening, Nature, Dancing, Yoga, singing are a plus.

Please submit your resume and contact information. We will get back to you with details on the next steps. Thank you and have a wonderful day!

Please email your resume and cover letter to Careers@MyNatureSchool.Com. Thank you for your interest in the NatureSTEAM Preschool!

Tell Me More

Testimonials (See all)