Earthkeeper Nature School

NWDC’s Earthkeeper Nature School combines fresh air, open space, and nature play with a progressive early childhood curriculum. Earthkeeper Nature School is licensed under the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Enroll Your Child


Earthkeeper Nature School (ENS) includes a Nature Preschool and Forest Kindergarten. Our kindergarten is recognized by the American Forest School Association.


The majority of time is spent in the great outdoors, with indoor spaces available when weather conditions warrant.

Earthkeeper Nature School

Preschool & Kindergarten | Ages 4 - 7
Now Enrolling for the 2025-2026 School Year!


About ENS


At Earthkeeper Nature School (ENS), we believe that children thrive when immersed in nature. Our program offers young learners ages 4 to 7 the opportunity to connect, play, and grow in the great outdoors. Established in 2018, we are a licensed childcare provider under the Colorado Department of Human Services, operating at both our Mountain Campus in Beulah and River Campus in Pueblo.


Program Highlights


  • Immersive Outdoor Learning: Children engage in hands-on experiences that foster creativity, independence, and a deep connection to the natural world.
  • Flexible Scheduling: Choose from 2 or 4 half-day sessions per week, with morning classes from 8:15 AM to 11:15 AM and afternoon classes from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM.
  • Qualified Leadership: Our Earthkeeper Nature School Director, Tami Montoya, holds a Forest School Level 3 Practitioner Certification and has been instrumental in developing Colorado state legislation for forest school-specific childcare licensure.
  • Transportation Services: Round-trip transportation to Beulah is available for an additional fee.


Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is now open. Don't wait - secure your child's spot, and let their adventure in nature begin!

Read FAQ's

"Children today spend less time outdoors than any other generation, devoting only 4 –7 minutes to unstructured outdoor play per day, while spending an average of 7.5 hours in front of electronic media"

~ National Recreation and Park Association

Ages Accepted:

4 – 7

The birth date cutoff for turning age 4 is August 31.

Enrollment Options

4 half-days/week:


Monday-Thursday mornings


OR



Monday-Thursday afternoons

2 half-days/week:


Monday/ Wednesday mornings or afternoons


OR


Tuesday/ Thursday mornings or afternoons

Daily Class Times

  • Morning sessions run from 8:15 am – 11:15 am
  • Afternoon sessions run from 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm


Locations & Transportation

ENS operates in both the Mountain Campus in Beulah and the River Campus in Pueblo.


Round-trip transportation to Beulah is available.

Cost

Annual Tuition

  • The tuition cost for 2-half days/week preschool, or the 2-half days/week kindergarten is $2500. This is can be broken up into 10 monthly payments of $250.
  • The tuition cost for 4-half days/week preschool, or the 4-half days/week kindergarten is $4500. This can be broken up into 10 monthly payments of $450.


Enroll in the 2025/2026 School Year

Enrollment for Earthkeeper Nature School fills on a first-come, first-served basis. Enrollment for the 2025-26 year is OPEN NOW, and we will have a waitlist. There is a $100 registration fee required to secure your spot. Click here now to SECURE YOUR SPOT!


Financial Aid

We at the NWDC Earthkeeper Nature School do not want a lack of financial resources to be the reason why a family does not send their child to our school. Hence, we will do our very best to provide financial aid so your child can attend. If you look at our registration cost and think “I can’t afford that,” please contact Tami Montoya, ENS Director, at tami@hikeandlearn.org to inquire about your financial aid options. You may even inquire about financial aid before paying the application fee or securing your spot. 


If you would like to help less fortunate families’ children attend Earthkeeper Nature School, please click the button below to donate today!

Donate Now

"I can't express how much the last two years have meant to our family. I will forever recommend children to this school and I can't wait for Madison to attend next year."

Courtney McNierney,

Elementary School Teacher & ENS Parent

“The scope of her understanding of nature has broadened greatly. We do a pretty good job as a family connecting to nature, but I am now realizing how much more our daughter is learning and connecting by attending Earthkeeper Nature Preschool.”

Brenda Burk

Earthkeeper Nature School Parent

“My son Atticus just loves his Nature School. When I asked him what he loves so much about it, his response was, ‘Nature’".

Kristin Brimhal

Earthkeeper Nature School Parent

"Thank you so much for the best two years of preschool we could imagine,.They learned so many things and had so much fun! We will miss Earthkeeper Nature School."

Mary Johnson

Earthkeeper Nature School Parent

"We have noticed her resilience, independence and self-confidence really grow in the two years she has spent at Earthkeeper Nature School. Having a nature school is such a great option to have in our community."

Elizabeth Heersink

Earthkeeper Nature School Parent

Earthkeeper Nature School
Informational Meetings

These meetings are a great opportunity to learn more about the Earthkeeper Nature School, get your questions answered, and meet the folks who are creating the preschool.


If you would like to schedule an informational meeting for your family, group, club, or group of friends, please contact Tami at tami@hikeandlearn.org.


These informational meetings will either take place at our River or Mountain Campus.