Northwest Nature Co-Op
Based in Barrington, IL, this co-op offers child-caregiver classes, a learning pod, and now has the Northwest Nature Preschool open. Classes take place outdoors, in all seasons, with the goal of fostering a love for nature and respect for people, plants, and animals while creating the next generation of environmental stewards. All programs are run through the Barrington Park District and can also be found on their website. Be sure to check out the events section on our page.
Nature Preschool
Education comes alive in the great outdoors! The Northwest Nature Preschool will be located at Citizens Park with daily hikes in the Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve. Facilitated by a certified preschool teacher in partnership with the Barrington Park District, this cooperative preschool provides a developmentally appropriate, Reggio Emilia-inspired early childhood education that promotes respect for people and nature through outdoor learning. The program offers an all-outdoor preschool experience that fosters curiosity, compassion, empathy, cultural awareness, creative problem solving and environmental responsibility in young children. Our goal is to instill respect for people, plants, and animals at an early age, setting the foundation for children to become responsible citizens and environmental stewards. As part of our cooperative, parents are welcomed but not obligated to join our parent-teacher advisory committee or volunteer with the class.
​
The preschool is instructed and managed by Oak Leaf Cooperative School. Please note this is an outdoor preschool and parents are responsible for providing all outdoor weather-appropriate clothing. In case of severe weather like dangerously low temperatures or lightning, we will utilize the Lodge at Citizens Park for indoor learning. Should there be an onset of heavy snow, class will be held at Langendorf Park that day due to plowing schedules. This will be communicated to parents in advance. Children must be potty-trained, or a parent/caregiver must be available to change a diaper or pull-up. (Min/Max: 8/10).
LOCATION: Outside at Citizens Park. If there is severe weather (i.e. if Thor Guard System is activated and/or unsafe conditions arise) we will move inside to the Lodge. Otherwise the program is outside rain, shine or snow.
​
DAYS: 3-day program that meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9/4/24 – 5/17/24. If you are interested in a 5-day program, please contact Alicia from Oak Leaf at the contact information listed to the right.
​
TIME: Sec.# 01; Morning (ages 2½ – 5 years) 8:30 – 11:30 am and/or
Sec.# 02; Afternoon (ages 3 – 5 years) 11:30am – 2:30pm
​
CALENDAR: Oak Leaf Preschool will follow the Barrington School District 220 calendar for days off. There is no school when District 220 is scheduled off. V
​
GENERAL DAILY SCHEDULE: (detailed curriculum information will be distributed to parents by instructor each month):
• 8:30am – Drop off at Citizens Park.
• 8:30 – 9:00am – Free play at Citizens Park.
• 9:00 – 9:30am – Circle time/story, bathroom, prepare for hike.
• 9:30 – 11:20am – Cuba Marsh hike and nature exploration.
• 11:20 – 11:30am – Free play and dismissal (11:30 am) at Citizens Park.
​
HOW TO REGISTER: Registration opens for all families on 2/1/24 at 9:00am. You can register online below or download an Oak Leaf Preschool EFT Registration Form (barringtonparkdistrict.org/preschool) and email it to ksweeney@barringtonparkdistrict.org.
​
TUITION/FEES: $688/$763 per month x9 months. Tuition is charged monthly via auto payment on a credit card starting 9/10/24
through 5/10/25. Tuition is based on the total number of school days/cost of the program and divided into 9 equal payments.
REGISTRATION FEE: A $65 non-refundable registration fee per child is due upon registration. Registration fee is charged per child.
​
CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellation REQUESTS must be submitted in writing by 7/15/24 or you will be charged the program fee in full. Once the school year begins, the only exceptions are medical or moving out of the area (ten mile radius) and documentation must be shown for approval. Possible refund will be based on the number of classes attended and the date the refund request is received.
​
Nature Tots
Nature Tots, Tuesdays, 10am-11:00am (7 weeks)
​
18 months-5 years
10/29-12/17 10-11am (7 weeks)
​
Description: It’s time to get out of the house and into nature! In this mixed-age class, toddlers and caregivers will explore Citizens Park and the Cuba Marsh Forest Preserve, develop respect for the local wildlife habitat, observe the changing seasons, and engage in imaginative play and story time featuring high-quality picture books – Classes will be both inside and outside during Winter and Spring, weather dependent. Registration includes child and caregiver.
​
Cost: $170
Location: The Lodge at Citizen's Park
In inclement snowy weather, classes will be held at Langendorf
​
REGISTRATION: https://registration.barringtonparkdistrict.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/wbsearch.html?wbsi=si&xxactivitynumber=307135
Art in Nature
Art in Nature, Thursdays, 10am-10:45am (7 weeks)
​
Thursdays, 10/31-12/19 10am-11am (7 weeks)
​
Description: What happens when watercolor is added to dirt? How does an artist use rocks to create a masterpiece? Children can use art to develop creativity and support cognitive, social, emotional, and motor growth. Nature can provide everything a child needs to be creative through play. In this mixed-age art class, toddlers and caregivers will engage in hands-on/process-based art projects using simple art tools and natural materials.
​
Classes will be both inside and outside during Winter and Spring, weather dependent. Registration includes child and caregiver.
​
Cost: $180
Location: The Lodge at Citizen's Park
​
In inclement snowy weather classes will be held at Langendorf Park
​
REGISTRATION: https://registration.barringtonparkdistrict.org/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/wbsearch.html?wbsi=si&xxactivitynumber=307136
Music in Nature
Music in Nature, Tuesdays, 9:15am-10am (5 weeks)
​
18 months-5 years
Session 1: 1/14-2/11
Session 2: 2/18-3/18
Session 3: 4/8-5/6
Cost: $130
Description:
Experience the harmony of nature and music with Oak Leaf’s Music in Nature program for 18-month to 5-year-old children and their caregivers! Each week, participants will immerse themselves in nature-themed musical activities set amidst the outdoors. Each theme is designed to enhance gross and fine motor skills, encourage self-expression, foster concentration, promote social interaction and introduce fundamental math concepts like counting.
​
​Location: The Clubhouse at Langendorf Park
In inclement snowy weather classes will be held at Langendorf.
​
Registration coming soon!
​
Co-op Events
Co-op Grantors
Thank you to these amazing grantors who support our co-op!
Oberweiler Foundation
We are incredibly grateful to the Oberweiler Foundation for their significant support for our Northwest Nature Preschool by providing a grant of $15,000 to support the nature preschool and its environmentally-based curriculum. With this grant we were able to start the preschool program, paying our two teachers a living wage while supporting the next generation of environmental stweards. We are forever grateful to the Oberweiler Foundation!
Barrington Area Community Foundation
We want to thank the Barrington Area Community Foundation (BACF) for their support for our new Scholarship Program by providing us with a $1,000 grant to start the Scholarship Program for the 2024-25 school year. This scholarship will be granted to a preschool family to assist in offsetting the cost of tuition. Thank you BACF!
Co-Op Leadership
Liz Gorham, Preschool Teacher & Outdoor Educator
Liz is a parent in Lake Zurich District 95 where her kids attend school. Her daughter Nora is a high school freshman and her twin boys Liam and Tiernan are in 7th grade. Liz is our Preschool teacher & outdoor educator alongside Jenna. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and studied both music and art therapy at Ohio University. She has worked extensively with special needs kids at both Misericordia and SEDOL, and more recently has worked in support of District 95. She is active in Cricket theatre here in Lake Zurich where all three of her kids have been in numerous productions. Liz has helped with costumes, props, and sets, to name a few. Her family loves hiking, the outdoors, and they often spend summer vacations in America’s National Parks.
.jpeg)
Jenna Downing, Preschool & Enrichment Teacher
Jenna is our enrichment class teacher and Northwest Nature Preschool head teacher. Jenna has been teaching children for over 20 years. She has a Bachelor's in Communication Studies with a Minor in Art from the University of Iowa and a Master's in Elementary Education from DePaul. She initially wanted to be an elementary teacher after spending several years as a substitute teacher, but when she had children she wanted to focus on spending more time with them.
​
She was fortunate to teach at the same preschool in Evanston that her two children attended, even becoming their PreK teacher. She realized that the play-based approach of early childhood is where she was meant to share her creativity. While teaching in Evanston she had the opportunity to co-write District 65's Strong Start to Kindergarten Parent and Caregiver Activity Guide which focuses on developmentally appropriate activities to do at home with pre-kindergartners.
​
When her youngest went to kindergarten, she then taught PreK in Winnetka with an outdoor/Reggio approach until moving to the Northwest Suburbs where she ended up teaching PreK-2 Art in Mundelein.
In addition to teaching early childhood, Jenna loves to create her own art and is working on opening her own Art Studio for both children and adults. When she's not teaching and creating art, she enjoys traveling with her family, attending concerts, and frequenting Free Little Libraries.
