Flora and Fauna Learning Center, SPC

Neighborhood Nature Education

(509) 866 - 6380

9102 E Columbia Dr. Spokane, WA 99212

Open 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Garden Program

The cultivation of fresh foods in Early Childhood is linked to high Ecological Literacy later in life. Further, gardening in a preschool setting fosters the development of math, science, and pre-reading skills in a hands-on way while cultivating community responsibility and ownership.

On Site we have four 4*4 raised vegetable garden beds with trellises, a big rock garden bed for growing corn, beans, and squash together, 3 wildflower garden beds, a blueberry patch, a raspberry patch, and fruit trees.

Creation Station

Creative Problem Solving begins at a young age. Our art centers are not only equipped with the staples found in any preschool program but also include a variety of materials including but not limited to seeds, ribbons, cardboard, flowers, fabric, pipe cleaners, beads, strings, and more!

The inclusion of these materials allows for children to develop refined fine motor, problem solving, collaborative, and more skills as they create objects they may find in their everyday life.

Music and Movement

Music and Movement in Early Childhood is linked to increased quality of life. Our indoor and outdoor classrooms are equipped with a wide variety of materials to encourage safe exploration of the physical body and how it moves.

Our Large Group "Circle Time" consists of a Music and Movement Block to further teach to math and pre-reading skills, refined gross motor action, and body awareness in a large group.

S.T.E.A.M.

Science, Technology, Engineering, ARTS, and Math are a crucial part of Early Childhood Education. At Flora and Fauna we will conduct weekly if not daily activities with the children in our care that include hands-on experiential learning opportunities to explore these areas.

Read More about STEAM on the National Association for the Education of Young Children 's website.

From Our Families:

"It’s been a year since my oldest has started and I can’t tell you how much she has grown and flourished, so much so that we are starting our second there next month. .... They are teaching my kid realistically for today’s world and I feel like they will thrive in learning environments with such a healthy start. I also want to say kudos for taking care of their staff too. Happy and well treated staff make a difference and they do a lot to make sure they are healthy and nurtured as well." - Jace G.
"This is the most caring, tender and responsible preschool in town. Every day my 2.5 year old tells me she is excited to go to school and play with friends, and learn about flowers and trees. My 4.5 year old often makes " nature soup" in the large back yard of the school. Darian, the head teacher, makes extra and professional effort to tune in to every little up and down mood of my children. Darian proved that they are a safe keeper of young children in many ways. The other supporting teachers are great as well, super knowledgeable and kind as well as fun! Lots of singing, dancing and nature exploration. I would highly recommend this nature school. I plan to have my youngest there for another 2 years." - Sierra H.
"Flora and Fauna has been exceptional care just when we needed it most! The director loves what she does, that’s easy to see! My little one is happy when I drop her off and when I pick her up! That speaks volumes to a working mom! " - Kristine N.
"Tired of your kid being sick? This learning center is awesome! My toddler has been in great health since coming here. It’s very clean and spacious the kids have a large yard to play in. The teachers love what they do and I always pick up a happy kid. This place is a peace of mind for working parents!" - Tessa W.

Programs

Morning Care Program 7:30am - 9:00am

This Program runs from 7:30 am - 9:00 am serving children aged 30 months through 6 years. In the first hour of the program children will be in a combined mixed-age group where they will have the opportunity to explore a variety of free choice options indoors including home living, blocks, library and oral storytelling, puzzles and games, calm corners, and more. In the second hour of the program children will be split into their age groups and given more time to choose what they would like in an indoor or outdoor classroom setting and eat breakfast as provided from home.

Preschool Enrichment Program 9:00am - 3:30pm

This Program runs from 9:00 am - 3:30 pm serving children aged 2.5 years to 6 years old. During Enrichment Program hours children enrolled will have the opportunity to experience a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and materials. Teachers are encouraged to teach who they are and to the group interests so activities will vary from classroom to classroom. Facility enrichment spaces include our herb garden space, our main gardens, our creation stations, our mud kitchen, and two large play yards. All children enrolled will be provided with a morning and afternoon snack with parents providing Breakfast and Lunch from home.

Sample Daily Schedule

8:30-9:00 | Breakfast

9:00-9:15 | Large Group Greeting and Check in

9:15-10:00 | Outdoors/Garden/Music and Movement Enrichment

10:00-10:15 | Snack/Large Group Oral Storytelling/Book/Project Work

10:15-11:30 | Indoors/Art/Creation Station/Project Enrichment

11:30-12:00 | Lunch

12:00-3:00 | Rest Time (variable)

12:30-2:30 | Outdoors/Music and Movement/Dramatic Play

2:00-3:15 | Wake up/Oral Storytelling/Snack

3:15-3:30 | Large Group/Attitude of Gratitude

Sample Menu

AM Snack Options

Homemade Bread and Fruit

Yogurt and Blueberries

Apples, Sunbutter, and Graham Crackers

PM Snack Options

Vegetables and Hummus

Cheese and Crackers

Apples, Sunbutter, and Graham Crackers

Pita, Tzatziki, and vegetables

Black Bean Brownies and Bananas

Afternoon Care Program 3:30pm - 5:30pm

This Program runs from 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm serving children aged 30 months through 9 years. In this program children will be split into their age groups (preschool or school-aged) and given time to choose what they would like to explore in an indoor or outdoor classroom setting. In the last hour of the program children will be in a combined age group where they will have the opportunity to explore a variety of free choice options indoors including home living, library and oral storytelling, puzzles and games, calm corners, and more.

School Age Outdoor Program, Summers Only, 7:30am - 5:30pm

This Program runs from 7:30am-5:30pm serving children aged 5 to 10 years old. During Program hours children enrolled will have the opportunity to experience a variety of developmentally appropriate activities and materials in an outdoor classroom located adjacent to our building in our Garden. Teachers are encouraged to teach who they are and to the group interests so activities will vary from classroom to classroom but may include daily garden care, life science studies (bugs, worms, plants, etc.), art projects that incorporate nature, and more! Facility enrichment spaces include our our main gardens, big rock garden, wildflower garden, mud kitchen and sand pit, and two large play yards. All children enrolled will be provided with a morning and afternoon snack with parents providing Breakfast and Lunch from home.

Sample Daily Schedule

8:30-9:00 | Breakfast

9:00-9:15 | Large Group Greeting and Check in

9:15-10:00 | Garden Block

10:00-10:15 | Snack/Large Group Oral Storytelling

10:15-11:00 | STEAM/Project Time

11:00-12:00 | Group Games/Outdoor Choice Time

12:00-12:30 | Lunch/Off Campus Picnic

12:00-3:00 | Brain Break/Off Campus Exploration

12:30-2:30 | Group Games/Outdoor Choice Time

2:00-3:15 | Snack/Large Group/Attitude of Gratitude

Sample Menu

AM Snack Options

Homemade Bread and Fruit

Yogurt and Blueberries

Apples, Sunbutter, and Graham Crackers

PM Snack Options

Vegetables and Hummus

Cheese and Crackers

Apples, Sunbutter, and Graham Crackers

Pita, Tzatziki, and vegetables

Black Bean Brownies and Bananas

Class Sizes

At Flora and Fauna we strive to provide excellent care by maintaining lower ratios.

Preschool aged children (2.5 - 3.5/4 years) will be in a classroom with a ratio of 8 children to 1 teacher with a max group size of 16.

Pre-K aged children (3.5/4-5 years) will be in a classroom with a ratio of 10 children to 1 teacher or mentor with a max group size of 20.

School aged children (5-10 years) will be in an outdoor classroom with a ratio of 15 children to 1 teacher with a max group size of 25.

These ratios may fluctuate given individual children’s needs for smaller or larger social groups (as we can accommodate), child/staff absences, program needs, and more, but will never exceed 10 children per one teacher for preschool/pre-k aged children. Mixed age groups in the first and last hour of the day will be kept to a max group size of 14 to 20 with two teachers dependent on enrollment..

New to Flora and Fauna?

You can reach us during business hours, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, online at enrollment@florafaunalc.org.

Currently Enrolled?

Message your child's teacher or our management team directly on the Brightwheel App!

Seeking Employment?

Visit our Employment Page and/or send your resume to employment@florafaunalc.org.