Reopening and Part-Time Summertime Care!

We’re pleased to share that Nature’s Explorers was able to reopen for business on May 18, 2020, with our new COVID-19 policies in effect. It has been wonderful to reunite with our extended family and we have quickly adapted to our “new normal.”

If you wish to see a copy of our COVID-19 policies, which will remain in effect until a vaccine becomes available, please send us an email at natureplaythousandoaks@gmail.com.

For the months of June and July, we have made part-time care available for the first time. We are offering half-day care (8 AM - 11:45 AM) five days a week for a flat monthly fee of $700. Part-time care is available to children between the ages of two and five. If you are interested in exploring this option, please contact us for more information and availability.

COVID-19 Update

Nature’s Explorers COVID-19 Information Page

Closure Statement, issued to our families on April 2, 2020:

Friends, in light of the Governor's executive orders, we have made the heartbreaking decision to keep Nature's Explorers closed indefinitely. We all need to do our part to slow the spread of this virus and protect our community. We have been optimistically extending our closure by one or two week increments, but we need to be realistic about what our world looks like right now.

What does "indefinitely" mean? It does not mean forever. It means that when the Governor has lifted or loosened the current orders, we will be eager to reunite and resume business as usual.

This crisis has taken a substantial toll on the already overburdened childcare systems in our county and state. We are doing everything we can as small business owners to ensure that our current and future families will have childcare to return to when this crisis calms.

In the meantime, we'll be working to continue to provide some "virtual" content for our community, so please keep in touch with us on social media to find some of that. We are always reachable for parent coaching and support via email.

natureplaythousandoaks@gmail.com

http://www.facebook.com/natureplaythousandoaks

http://www.instagram.com/natureplaythousandoaks

It's vital that we remember that we're not alone, though we're isolated. We are all doing this together as quaranteam :) We love you.

Thanks to the Audubon Society!

We're excited to share that we were recently selected to receive a grant from our local Audubon Society! After meeting with a representative, we have selected forty new plants to be added to our outdoor space with the intention of creating an even more inviting environment for the local birds, bees, and butterflies. We have chosen to focus on the gardens in the front of our school, where our existing Monarch Waystation is. In addition to adding the plants that the Audubon Society has recommended (all of which will be safe for both children and pets), we will be adding some additional feeding and watering opportunities for our feathered friends. We can't wait to see this all come together! Birdwatching has become one of our favorite activities for children of all ages in our program. We are learning so much about their habits and personalities. We cannot thank Conejo Valley Audubon Society enough for their consideration and time!

Drop-In Care

We're excited to announce that starting in December, we will begin offering drop-in care as available! This will allow families to choose to pay a daily rate to participate in our program on a limited basis. Your child will receive high-quality care in a fabulous outdoor classroom setting. Please review our official policy and contact us to determine if this is a good option for your family!

We offer drop-in daily care as available for children over the age of two, from 8AM - 5PM, Monday through Friday. Families interested in this service must request care at least 24-hours in advance and payment must be issued at this time regardless of attendance (this payment will reserve the spot for the requested day).

Drop-in care is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. It does not reserve a permanent placement in the program.

Children must bring a bag with: a complete change of clothes, diapers and wipes as needed, sunscreen, and a lunch with a water bottle. We provide a minimum of two snacks per day along with water and milk.

Families are required to complete the enrollment process in advance of requesting drop-in care. This includes a scheduled interview to review all paperwork and ensure that all Nature’s Explorers policies are understood and agreed upon.

An Evening With Brenda Hunter, Local Author

We're delighted to announce that we will be hosting an evening with local author, Brenda Hunter. Brenda will be sharing with us from her new book, Sacred Mothering. There will be discussion, snacks, and beverages! This will be a fun night out for everyone who is a mother, has a mother, or knows and loves a mother.

Brenda has generously offered to donate the proceeds of all amazon.com sales of her book to Nature's Explorers between the dates of October 19-23. We will use this fundraising opportunity to support our Little Free Library project. Donations will be welcome the night of the event as well.

Please join us for this special event. We ask that you RSVP via our Facebook event page, email, or call us at 805-206-0946.

Now Enrolling

Now Enrolling!

We are now accepting interviews and applications for our grand opening in October. We have four spots available for infants, toddlers, and preschool children.

If you have an interest in what our program has to offer your family, we invite you to call or email:

805-206-0946 or  natureplaythousandoaks@gmail.com

Schedule your tour today! We would love to visit with you.