The Suffolk County Farm and Education Center’s mission is to provide hands-on research-based learning to all residents with themes in agriculture, animal sciences, history, STEM, healthy living, and life skills in a unique year-round learning environment and in community spaces. The Farm’s vision is to connect with our agricultural heritage and to pave the way for a bright, healthy, and sustainable future. This nature bases preschool program is for children ages 3-5 years old.
Through free play, guided exploration and exposure to all corners of the farm, children will be given the chance to learn, grow and become independent learners.
Children will spend most days entirely outside, weather permitting. Inside areas of the farm will be used on those days the weather doesn't cooperate.
2 DAYS: Tuesday and Thursday - $250 / month
3 DAYS: Monday, Wednesday, Friday - $350 / month
HOURS: 9:00-11:30
A typical day will find children getting the chance to get up close to a cow, pet a chicken and gather fresh eggs. Learn about the trees and plants around us. Play outside and enjoy the fresh air. Outdoor activities will often get children wet, dirty, hot, and/or cold. Good outdoor clothes are a must, and a change of clothes is always kept on hand for each child. The underlying motto is simple: There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes!
Indoor space will be provided if needed. This may include stories, music, construction play, art, dramatic play, snack, etc. Natural themes and materials will be brought in throughout indoor activities.
All these activities will help support the overall healthy growth and development of children. Skills such as observation, experimentation, and sorting, will allowing for both individual experiences and group sharing. Outdoor discoveries also provide great subjects for all sorts of artistic and verbal expression, and the daily walks help to establish early habits of physical fitness. Most of all, we want children to truly learn how to learn –- developing the curiosity and joy that should pervade all education, while practicing key social skills such as sharing, waiting one's turn, and following simple directions.
