Nest Play Curriculum

When you peek into our classrooms, you might see children busy at play. But what does that play really mean? Beneath the fun, every moment is helping children learn, grow, and make sense of the world around them, because for young children, play is learning.

Developed by The Nest’s Dr. Danielle Hunter, Ed.D., and a dedicated team of early childhood experts, the Nest Play Curriculum is our signature, comprehensive approach to the powerful early education that begins here. It’s grounded in the latest research and the high standards of NAEYC accreditation and state learning guidelines, and continuously refreshed as early childhood learning evolves.

At The Nest Schools, real kindergarten readiness comes from meaningful, purposeful play. When children explore, imagine, and work with others, they build the core skills teachers look for on day one:

Early literacy and math knowledge
Collaboration
Confidence
Emotional resilience
Critical thinking
Risk-taking
Curiosity

Our teachers guide play by asking questions, adding new ideas, and creating activities that help children grow while still letting them lead with their curiosity.

Many families tell us their children transition to kindergarten not just ready, but more than ready, often feeling confident, capable, and ahead of expectations. Play builds the academic foundation and the social-emotional strength children need to start strong.

Children at The Nest Schools also participate in three signature enrichment programs that further enrich their confidence, creativity, and personal development. These programs are led weekly by our in-house specialists and are included at no additional cost for families enrolled at The Nest Schools.

Our Enrichment Programs

Youth wellness and fitness-inspired wellness program.
Strengthens health and physical development.
Promotes a healthy lifestyle from the start.

Exposes children to the value and beauty of fine arts and music.

Supports brain development, cognitive development, and social and emotional development.

Teaches children the value in doing meaningful tasks.
Develops basic skills necessary to communicate, care for themselves and others, and how to contribute to society in meaningful ways.

The Power of Play

Watch this short video from early childhood education expert Amanda Morgan to learn more about how play promotes mental and emotional wellness, brain growth and development, and an optimal environment for learning.

American Sign Langugage (ASL)

Our infant and toddler programs include the Global Gull American Sign Language Program. Most young children begin to talk around 12 months old, while some infants even try to communicate with their parents and caregivers even earlier!

One way of helping our young children express their feelings, wants, and needs without crying and frustration of a lack of understanding from adults is through simple sign language, commonly known as ‘Baby Core Signs.’ These core signs include words like milk, sleep, play, all done, more, mother, and father.

Key Benefits

Encourages children to communicate effectively
Decreases frustration
Improves Child-Parent/Child-Caregiver communication
Helps children remember words
Increases self-esteem
Provides an insight into a child’s world
Sign Language is for everyone
Builds relationships

Spanish Language Program

Our preschool curriculum includes the Global Gull Spanish Language Program. Young children can learn new languages, such as Spanish, quicker than older individuals because they do not fear making mistakes and retain new information faster as they continuously learn and are naturally inquisitive.

A few examples of Spanish words we will learn together: Todo Hecho (All Done), Jugar (Play), and Sí (Yes).

Key Benefits

Increases brain development such as cognitive function along with increasing attention span in young children
Increases the ability to learn additional new languages
Improves social skills and how to communicate with others who speak a different language
Develops an appreciation for another culture
Creating connections, communication, and relationships on a global level

Take the L.E.A.P is our Literacy Exposure and Awareness Program offered in our older preschool program. It is designed to build awareness and a foundation for strong literacy skills in young children. Throughout this program, our children will experience hands-on and creative ways to strengthen their knowledge of essential literacy concepts such as letter identification, letter sounds, letter formation, and learning their names.

This exclusive literacy program is divided into two parts: Letter Loon and Who Am I?

The phonics portion of our program is known as Letter Loon. In this program, we will promote the study of individual letters, letter sounds, and letter formations and is divided into three categories:

SEE IT

One of the earliest pre-literacy skills that children need to begin their journey as proficient readers is the recognition of print. Our teachers use hands-on and explorative activities to help children develop the ability to recognize letters in various print situations.

SAY IT

As children master their understanding of letters in print, we expand upon the next important pre-literacy skill: letter-sound knowledge. Through continued hands-on, and explorative activities, children will learn to identify and understand the individual letter sounds associated with each one.

BUILD IT

Our teachers bring learning to life by introducing children to the formations (shapes and lines) of the letters they are learning by offering opportunities for children to build each letter with various materials – beads, pipecleaners, sticks, and more!

The name recognition portion of this program is called Who am I? In this portion of our literacy program, we will bring our Robins awareness and practice with name identification through building and writing their names. This program is divided into three categories: