FAQs
Where is the program located?
Our program is housed on the acreage at Camelot Academy. We have regular visits to Camelot’s farm property as well as other nature-based locations and farms around the Triangle. The Camelot farm property includes woods, streams, a barnyard with farm animals, gardens and open fields.
What are the hours of this program?
We offer half-day (8:30 - 12:30pm) and full-day (8:30 - 3:00pm, with some time indoors) programming.
Full-day on-campus programming, along with before/after care (7:30am-5:30pm) is available to students turning age 5 by January 1st.
Half-day on-campus programming is available to younger children, ages 3 by August 1st and up, with a full-day option (until 3:00pm) provided offsite via a partner provider.
Is my child ready for this program?
Please use the following “readiness checklist” to determine if our program is a good fit for your child:
My child will be 3-6 years old by August 1st, 2024 (If your child’s birthday is slightly after the August 1st cut-off, please know they can still be considered).
My child is potty-trained and can use the bathroom independently.
My child is able to follow simple instructions.
My child is okay to separate from me for a few hours and if attending our full-day program, they are no longer requiring a nap.
What is the student-teacher ratio?
Our student-teacher ratio is capped at 1:6.
Are there bathrooms?
Yes. Students can use the indoor bathroom at Camelot Academy and portable bathrooms on field trips.
What if it’s raining on a school day?
Our program takes place rain or shine! You may have heard the phrase, “There’s no bad weather, just bad clothing.” Prior to the start of the school year we will provide you with a list of clothing and gear your child will need. We will utilize our enclosed shelters when thunder/lightning and other significant weather occurs. In cases of severe weather we will notify parents if school needs to be canceled, start late, or end early.
Do you offer refunds if my child misses class?
We do not offer refunds for missed classes.
Will there be any preparation for Camelot’s traditional school program as part of the curriculum?
Camelot Academy’s MAPP team often discusses how school readiness is strongly linked to the social/emotional piece - can the students follow directions, participate in a group of peers, approach difficult tasks with a growth mindset, have some independence, etc? All of these skills and more will be fostered in our program. Additionally, research has shown that students who attend nature-based programs are as ready for primary grades as students who attend more traditional preschools and Kindergartens. For more on this click here!
Will Nature Start students apply to Camelot as part of the general applicant pool?
For students interested in continuing education at Camelot: priority time and consideration are given to their application, the new student fee is waived, and they are offered the “returning student” tuition rate.
What does a day at Nature Start look like?
The beauty of our program is that we are not restricted to a set schedule. We have a general flow for each day and give priority to allowing the children to guide us with their needs, desires, and curiosities. While each day looks a little different, we follow certain routines so children feel safe and confident in our space. These include hanging up their backpacks, participating in our circle time greeting, and carrying out roles such as checking on the garden or helping with the yoga mats. Below is an example of our “flow” for a morning at Camelot.
Arrive and unpack
Provocation and/or exploration of materials
Snack and unstructured play time
Circle time
Activity related to children’s curiosities, such as a “bug hunt” or leaf rubbing
Lunch and unstructured play time
What makes Nature Start unique?
Our integration with Camelot allows for before- and after-school care, multi-age programming, and the option for siblings in grades PreK-12 to attend the same school.
Highly educated teachers who are paid commensurate with their experience and education
Access to a 27-acre farm property with hiking trails, creeks, a pond, and animals such as donkeys, chickens, goats, and pigs.
Regular outings to nature-based locations around our community, such as the Eno River State Parks, the Museum of Life and Science, and nearby farms.
Transportation for field trips is included in your child’s tuition. We use a passenger van with car seats.
Partnerships with families. We strive to develop and nurture relationships with our families. Each week families receive an email from our director outlining reminders and important news regarding Nature Start and Camelot Academy. Families also receive a virtual newsletter from Nature Start recapping our week at school. The teachers add photos from the week to your child’s private Google Drive folder for you to access at any time.
Unstructured play time in nature - the children and teachers value this time greatly. Here is an example of one teacher’s observations of a group of four children playing freely with stumps and wooden boards of varying lengths: The children created an obstacle course by moving stumps to different positions. They experimented with how best to move the stumps: rolling, lifting, or sliding them. As a team they decided to lay the stumps on their sides, roll them, and then stand them back up. They worked together to lift heavy boards and position them on two stumps to create a “balance beam.” They took turns testing out the beam and repositioning the stumps and boards as needed. [One child] consistently cheered them on, shouting “Yes, we’ve got this!” and “Wow, this will be the best obstacle course ever!” The other children often joined in. [Another child] suggested they add a ramp to make the obstacle course more challenging. [Child C] expressed feeling scared of it being harder. The other children agreed they could remove the ramp when it was [Child C]’s turn if [Child C] wanted them to.
As you can see, the children are working together, showing empathy for Child C, communicating, developing motor skills, experimenting with size, problem solving and more!
Please email us at admit@camelotacademy.org with any questions.