Nordland, WA

Discovery Preschool offers a nature-inspired early childhood education program in the heart of Nordland. Their curriculum emphasizes outdoor exploration and hands-on learning, taking advantage of the natural surroundings of Marrowstone Island. The center features experienced early childhood educators with backgrounds in Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches, maintaining low student-teacher ratios for personalized attention. Their program includes daily outdoor activities, gardening, art exploration, and developmentally appropriate academic preparation. The facility includes both indoor learning spaces and extensive outdoor play areas designed to encourage curiosity and physical development.

As part of the nationally recognized Bright Horizons network, this center serves families throughout Jefferson County including Nordland residents. They implement the World at Their Fingers curriculum, which focuses on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning through play-based activities. The center features highly qualified early childhood educators with ongoing professional development, secure facility access with comprehensive safety protocols, and age-appropriate learning environments. Their program includes nutritious meal service, regular developmental assessments, and strong parent communication through their Family Space app. The center maintains excellent staff retention and low child-to-teacher ratios.

The Co-op School offers a unique cooperative preschool model that serves families across East Jefferson County, including Nordland. This parent-participatory program combines professional early childhood education with family involvement, creating a strong community-focused learning environment. Their play-based curriculum is developmentally appropriate and emphasizes social-emotional learning, creativity, and kindergarten readiness. The school features experienced lead teachers with early childhood degrees, mixed-age classrooms that promote peer learning, and a nature-based outdoor curriculum. Families appreciate the hands-on involvement opportunities, affordable tuition structure, and the strong sense of community that develops among participating families.