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Preschool

Hummingbirds

3 to 5 years

Curious, busy, and always in motion. Our Hummingbirds build school-readiness skills through hands-on exploration and joyful group learning, with half-day, full-time, and wrap-around options to fit your family.

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  • Three preschoolers sitting on the classroom carpet playing with toy cars and a race track at The Nest
  • Smiling preschooler at a lunch table with a scratch made meal of eggs, strawberries, and green beans at The Nest
  • Group of preschoolers seated around a table molding play dough on colorful trays in the Hummingbirds room
  • Preschool girl concentrating on a watercolor painting at a classroom table at The Nest
  • Preschool girl smiling while painting with watercolors during art time at The Nest
  • Preschoolers holding hands and balancing along an outdoor sandbox edge in the fenced playground at The Nest
  • Preschooler gluing letter F cutouts into a phonics notebook during a Heggerty literacy lesson at The Nest
  • Two preschoolers working on wooden animal puzzles on the alphabet rug in the Hummingbirds classroom
  • Preschool boy smiling while bending an orange pipe cleaner during a fine motor activity at The Nest
  • Preschoolers scooping magnetic letters and corn kernels at the red sensory table at The Nest

3-Year-Old Preschool (Half Day)

A half-day program exclusively for 3-year-olds. Children attend for 3 hours (8:30-11:30 AM or 12-3 PM). One snack included. No meals, transportation, or wraparound care. Ideal for families seeking a short, structured introduction to academics, routines, and socialization.

Half-day 3-year-old preschool class learning together at The Nest in Earlham, Iowa

Full-Time Preschool (3 to 5 years)

Our full-time program inspires curiosity and independence through hands-on exploration and group learning. Creative Curriculum for Preschoolers builds school-readiness skills in literacy, math, science, and social development through joyful play, art, and discovery.

Preschool boy drawing with a blue marker at a classroom table full of pencils and markers at The Nest

Wrap-Around Preschool (4 to 5 years, during school year)

Your child will be transported to and from Earlham Community School to attend morning or afternoon classes. While in our care, they receive all meals and snacks along with the same curriculum offered to full-time students.

Nest staff member walking a line of preschoolers to the vehicle for wrap-around transportation to Earlham Community School

All preschool programs are aligned with Iowa Early Learning Standards and include the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness Program.

Program Highlights

  • School Readiness Preparation

    Building confidence for the next step.

  • Heggerty Phonemic Awareness

    Systematic early literacy instruction.

  • Creative Curriculum for Preschoolers

    Play-based, research-backed learning.

  • Literacy & Math Foundations

    Skills that prepare for kindergarten and beyond.

  • Social & Emotional Development

    Building relationships and self-regulation.

  • Iowa Early Learning Standards Aligned

    Meeting state benchmarks at every level.

Ready to see the Hummingbirds room?

Come meet our educators and see where your child will learn and play.

Book a Discovery CallSchedule a Tour of the Nest