The Farm & Nature Discovery School

The Farm & Nature Discovery School The Farm & Nature Discovery School at The Center offers an opportunity to send your child to preschool on a 60-acre farm for outdoor learning and fun.

We offer part time school for children ages 3 years and full time Kindergarten. The Farm & Nature Discovery School offers an opportunity to send your child to preschool on a 60-acre farm for outdoor learning and fun. Please call or email for information 708-361-8933 or email [email protected]

The Center’s School is a lively hands-on learning community that helps children become cre

ative learners using natural resources. The most highly-qualified teachers enjoy working with us. Our preschool program is for ages 3-6. (Three year olds must be potty trained.) There are several choices of classes, 2 or 3 day-per-week programs, and a choice of morning or afternoon time slots. We also offer kindergarten and first grade. We feature low teacher-to-student ratios and offer bright and lively classrooms. We encourage social and emotional growth, and cognitive and language development. For more information or to arrange a tour, please call School Director Danielle Bell at 708.361.8933.

We are officially back in session! It was so great to have our school buzzing with laughter and chatter. If you want to...
09/04/2026

We are officially back in session! It was so great to have our school buzzing with laughter and chatter. If you want to get in on the fun, we still have room! We have MWF mornings for pre-kindergarten 4 year old and afternoons for 2 or 3 days. Register online now!

Our teachers have been working endlessly to make sure their classrooms are perfect for their students first day! Check o...
09/01/2026

Our teachers have been working endlessly to make sure their classrooms are perfect for their students first day! Check out our bright, welcoming, and organized classrooms. Here are some photos of Ms. Maggie, Ms. Winona, and Ms. Bella's classrooms! Give a little shout out to our teachers for all their hard work and preparation!

Our teachers have been working endlessly to make sure their classrooms are perfect for their students first day! Check o...
09/01/2026

Our teachers have been working endlessly to make sure their classrooms are perfect for their students first day! Check out our bright, welcoming, and organized classrooms. Here are some photos of Ms. Haley, Ms. Karen, and Ms. Donna's classrooms! Give a little shout out to our teachers for all their hard work and preparation!

Help us welcome Ms. Delaney to farm school!"Hi! My name is Ms. Delaney, and this will be my first year as a Teacher Aide...
09/01/2026

Help us welcome Ms. Delaney to farm school!

"Hi! My name is Ms. Delaney, and this will be my first year as a Teacher Aide at the Farm & Nature Discovery School! I received my B.A. in Environmental Sustainability at Grand Valley State University in Michigan in 2023. Then, I went to Indiana University to pursue my Master’s in Public Affairs and Environmental Science. I recently graduated and have moved back to the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, where I grew up.

Much of my time with children was spent outdoors working at Camp Wakeshma and as an environmental educator at a non-profit in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In those roles, I found my passion for environmental education. My favorite part of the job was seeing a kid’s wonder and appreciation of nature. Their passion inspires me, so I am excited to help teach a nature-based curriculum and support students’ personal growth this school year.

My hobbies include gardening, reading, biking, crafting, thrifting, swimming, hiking, and camping."

We are excited to have her join our team!

Help us welcome Ms. Gynx to the team!"Hello! My name is Gynx and this is my very first year being a part of The Farm & N...
09/01/2026

Help us welcome Ms. Gynx to the team!

"Hello! My name is Gynx and this is my very first year being a part of The Farm & Nature School family and I am so honored and thrilled for this new journey!

Despite my BFA and MFA in sculpture, childcare has always been something I’ve been extremely passionate about, starting as young as 12 years old, working alongside my mother at our local church. As a registered behavior technician, substitute teacher, and teacher’s aide, I strive to make every classroom I’m a part of a safe space for all children and their families, taking things like religion, ethnicity, language, and identity very seriously.

I’ll admit, I’m a bit biased when it comes to the city vs. the great outdoors, but working in such a beautiful environment has certainly swayed me to appreciate nature just a little bit more."

Welcome to farm school, Ms. Gynx!!

Meet one of our 3 new faculty members, Ms. Tara! "Hello! My name is Mrs. Tara and this is my first year at the Farm and ...
08/31/2026

Meet one of our 3 new faculty members, Ms. Tara!

"Hello! My name is Mrs. Tara and this is my first year at the Farm and Nature Discovery School, where I will be a teacher aide. I worked in the restaurant and hospitality field for over 20 years and I am excited to try something new! I am so excited to be a part of the team and work with children everyday.

I grew up and currently live in the Orland area. I have three children of my own. They are 16, 10, and 5. We live on a walking trail and are out in nature everyday. We love to catch frogs and fish.

I am very excited to be working in the classroom. I love when kids get to be kids. Let's play and have some fun!"

Help us give her a warm welcome!

Take a peek at one of our FAVORITE training days every year! Farmer Adele took our faculty family around the farm for a ...
08/31/2026

Take a peek at one of our FAVORITE training days every year! Farmer Adele took our faculty family around the farm for a refresher course on animal and child safety on the farm. Ms. Nona's baby girl, Ellie, also joined us! Always a good excuse to hang out with our animal friends.

We also got a cool surprise garden training with Ms. Lois Lauer where we got to learn how to utilize the garden space in our lessons! We ate raspberries, looked for watermelons, and learned how to taste mint properly.

We can't wait to get our students into the barn and the garden to explore with their 5 senses!

Meet Ms. Kamila!"Hello! My name is Ms. Kamila, and I started at The Farm and Nature Discovery school for the 2025-2026 s...
08/13/2026

Meet Ms. Kamila!

"Hello! My name is Ms. Kamila, and I started at The Farm and Nature Discovery school for the 2025-2026 school year by helping out in a preschool class. I’m so excited to be returning to help teach in a pre-kindergarten class this year. I have a passion for working with young children and believe these early years are a special time for growth, curiosity, and discovery. My goal is to help create a warm and welcoming classroom where every child feels safe, supported, and encouraged to explore the world around them.

When I’m not in the classroom, I love spending time baking new recipes and reading books—two hobbies I often bring into the classroom to share with my students. I look forward to partnering with families and helping each child begin their educational journey with joy and confidence."

Meet the one and only Mrs. Marks!"My name is Mrs. Marks and I have been volunteering for the Farm and Nature Discovery S...
08/12/2026

Meet the one and only Mrs. Marks!

"My name is Mrs. Marks and I have been volunteering for the Farm and Nature Discovery School since 2021, where the children bring smiles, joy, and hugs to me in my retirement years. I taught primary children for 36 years in private and public schools, retiring from Palos District 118. I received my BA in Education and MA in Teaching and Leadership from Saint Xavier University.

I love interacting with the children and help out in any way I can. I lead music, art, movement, and stories to the children each week. Being at the Farm has inspired me to brush up on my ukulele which I bring often to sing with the children. I believe that any good thing you do for a child is done forever. I am delighted to be a part of the Farm and Nature Discovery School at the Center.

I was born and raised in Chicago, now living in Palos Park. I live with my dear husband Joe and we have 2 great sons, two sweet daughter-in-laws and three precious grand daughters. My heart and love for children brought me to teaching. I love the innocence and joy children bring to the world."

Meet Ms. Kayla!"I am Ms. Kayla and I joined The Farm and Nature Discovery School in the 2024-2025 school year as a pre-k...
08/11/2026

Meet Ms. Kayla!

"I am Ms. Kayla and I joined The Farm and Nature Discovery School in the 2024-2025 school year as a pre-kindergarten teacher's aide. I am excited to be back with Ms. Winona to help out in the classroom and be with the children for another year!

I am also a Registered Dental hygienist at a pediatric office. Working with kids and seeing the smiles on their faces makes my day, they have a since of innocence that is refreshing.

I grew up in the Orland Park area. and now live in Palos Park. I am a mom to 2 beautiful, fun, energetic girls who both graduated from the farm and nature school! As a family we love taking family vacations to the beach/sand dunes or listening to music and having dance parties in our living room. In my spare time I enjoy reading, and working on puzzles."

Address

12700 Southwest Highway
Palos Park, IL
60464

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 3:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm

Telephone

+17083618933

Website

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