Every child's learning experience is unique at Nature's Knowledge House. Preschoolers ages 3-5 learn about nature, academics, self-awareness, self-control and social skills within a nurturing and engaging learning environment. Our program encourages self-direction, independence and responsible freedom in young children. We blend what we feel are the best elements of Montessori, Waldorf & Reggio Emilia within our child-led environment. Our emergent curriculum encourages curiosity and play.
Children in our program, learn through social interaction, hands-on activities & educational materials. The classroom encourages a positive social environment where everyone experiences a sense of belonging and is an equal member of the schoolhouse community.
At The Knowledge House, children are challenged to learn how to make choices, think independently and act responsibly. As children learn to trust themselves, make decisions and participate in responsible activities, they become self-empowered, self-motivated, self-reliant & self-responsible both at school and at home. These are some of the most important qualities for children to learn at an early age that form attitudes and beliefs about themselves, others and the value of community that will carry them through school and life.
In the schoolyard, children can work and explore in the garden, collect leaves, observe the chickens, rake leaves, garden, dig potatoes, peel vegetables, and gather weeds to feed to our rabbit. When we take nature walks on the school grounds, we slow down and use our senses to see, hear, smell, touch and think about the world around us.
Activities take place around the half-acre schoolyard and inside the schoolhouse. Class is held within a unique vintage house that has been reinvented into a schoolhouse. It's designed to be a comforting space for young people's first educational experiences away from home. It is a dedicated schoolhouse and is not used as a residence.
We were established in 2011 in a renovated 1890's house across from Port Orchard, Washington's City Hall overlooking the sound. A year later we moved up Sidney Hill to our current location.