The Children's Farm

Since Noah will turn 3 this July, he will be eligible for pre-school in the fall. While Noah went to his Mom's Day Out program on Tuesday, I went to visit a pre-school called The Children's Farm which several friends and neighbors have recommended highly. What a beautiful setting! The farm is set well off from any main roads and is surrounded by acres and acres of woods and rolling fields. The school states its goal is to foster intellectual, social, physical and emotional development using farm animals, a garden and nature as the learning environment. When I arrived, the kids (aged 3-5) were all being dropped off. They gathered on a set of logs, waiting for everyone to get there. After a morning greeting with the teachers, we marched up and down a hill, past the main farm house until we reached the barn, sheds and fields were the animals are kept. The children set about collecting pails of food and water and went around feeding animals (most of which were outrdoors - I guess they're used to Minnesota winters!): sheep, goats, ponies, a cow, geese, ducks, rabbits, chickens. Looking for eggs in the chicken coop was clearly a favorite activity (they are collected and eaten during snack time.) After about 20 minutes of this we gathered again for a brief chat with the kids perched on various snow-covered rocks. Then we headed inside where there was about a 45 minute period of "free" time with different centers that the kids could choose from. There was even an area where kids could saw a big chunk of wood into smaller logs - yes, real saws! This was followed by a group "lesson" that involved some reading and writing. Just as this activity was about to get under way, I had to leave. The teachers told me that after the group activity, they would bundle up again, go for a short hike, build a bonfire and enjoy an outdoor snack before it was time to return to the logs for pick-up. Needless to say, I was quite impressed! As would be expected, there is quite some demand for a spot at this school; after all currently enrolled and any of their siblings are signed up, remaining slots are dolled out through a lottery system. We'll keep our fingers crossed. In the meantime, there are other perfectly wonderful options in our area and I'm sure Noah will be happy wherever he ends up.