Childcare and preschool are pressing needs in our community. They provide critical early education experiences to prepare children for kindergarten, are a major expense in household budgets, and also significantly impact parents’ ability to participate in the workforce.
For our community to thrive, we need to invest in strategies that ensure all children have access to opportunities to achieve their unique potential. In 2021, CFHZ made a grant of $25,000 to support the construction of the new Dragonflies Discovery Preschool, a program of the Outdoor Discovery Center Network.
The preschool is located on 11 acres in the northeast corner of the land vacated by the Park Township Airport. The Dragonflies Discovery Preschool will be the first preschool operated by ODC Network, joining Little Hawks Discovery Preschool in Fillmore Township, and Seedlings Discovery Preschool in the City of Holland.
Dragonflies will have the capacity to serve 194 students using a nature-based learning model. Children spend time outdoors every day (regardless of the season), learning through active play and exploration. Studies have shown that nature-based education has a variety of short and long-term benefits, including healthy brain development, enhanced creativity, improved socio-emotional well-being, positive health outcomes, and increased enthusiasm for learning.
Dave Nyitray, President/COO of ODC Network, said, “This is an inflection point for our organization. We are choosing to lean in during an uncertain time and provide critical childcare capacity that expands equitable access to early childhood education. We are grateful for the foundation’s support that both helps us meet a community need, but also lets us live into our mission of advancing outdoor education.”
Kelsey Zuiderveen, Dragonflies Discovery Preschool Site Director, ODC Network said, “Nature-based education supports social-emotional wellbeing and academic performance, improves relationship skills, reduces stress, and improves behavior. Nature-based learning also enhances children’s’ attention, boosts performance, and increases enthusiasm for learning!”