New Pre School opens with
emphasis on open outdoor classroom

Catalyst Church of Santa Paula is opening a new Pre School, which is enrolling students now for the fall.

They have created a unique campus where students will spend approximately 90 percent of their morning in the outdoor classroom. Joan Bennett is the Director of the school. She said that she and Assistant Director Amy Freehauf have been teaching together for about eight years. “We’ve always had a passion about the outdoors and an outdoor curriculum,” she said.  When Catalyst relocated to their new location they both fell in love with the outdoor area. “Anything that can be done indoors, can take place outdoors as well,” Bennett added.

“We will alternate having circle time inside and out, but many of the day’s activities, both free play and group times, will take place outdoors. We want the kids to be engaged in nature and be able to be creative and take risks instead of sitting at tables inside all day.” 

Some of the outdoor experiences children will engage in include a mud kitchen, trike path, stage and building arena, outdoor chalkboard, garden centers, music wall, excavation pit, outdoor easel, swings, sandbox, and more. 

The school website states, “Our preschool curriculum is purposefully designed to prepare your child for a successful introduction to school, kindergarten readiness and a future of lifelong learning. Teachers carefully plan the outdoor area and indoor classroom, allowing children to learn by exploring, experimenting and playing.”

Fred Morales and his family attend Catalyst Church and he helped bring in community resources to make the dream come to life. “Myself and a good number of people worked to get the site ready for Easter, so the kids could have a pretty awesome playground,” he said.