Letters to the Editor
Reflections on my first three months at GGHF Curious by Nature School
After spending 33 years as an educator in the public school system, I believed I had seen just about every possible learning environment. But joining the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation-sponsored Curious by Nature School (CBNS) here in Gig Harbor has given me a whole new perspective on what education can look like — especially for our youngest learners, ages 2 to 5.
Now three months into my role as Director of Learning, Leadership, and Advancement, I have the daily privilege of watching children engage with the world not from behind desks, but in forests, creeks, meadows, and mud puddles. What I’ve witnessed at CBNS is not just play — it’s profound, intentional learning anchored in our school’s three foundational pillars: Nature-Based, Reggio-Inspired, and Kindergarten Readiness.
Children learning at Curious By Nature preschool.
Two campuses, one unified vision
Curious by Nature School is proud to serve the Gig Harbor community across two vibrant campuses — our Wagner Way campus and our Crescent Valley campus. Each location offers unique natural landscapes that serve as dynamic learning environments where children are free to explore, imagine, and grow. Whether wading through the creek at Wagner Way or investigating woodland trails at Crescent Valley, children are immersed in nature’s ever-changing classroom.
The power of nature-based education
At both campuses, I’ve seen the kind of learning that textbooks can’t teach. One morning at Wagner Way, I watched a group of six to eight 3- and 4-year-olds navigate a small boat through a shallow creek. There were no adults leading the way — just teachers standing back, guiding with questions like, “How might you work together to get the boat to move?” Some children pulled a rope tied to the bow while others pushed from the stern. Through this joyful and cooperative struggle, they practiced problem-solving, collaboration, resilience, and even basic principles of physics.
These are not isolated moments. On another day, while giving a tour to a family considering enrollment, a curious 3-year-old discovered a fascinating creature — part tadpole, part frog — right in the middle of its metamorphosis. He gently picked it up, eyes wide with wonder. That spark of discovery, that moment of connection with the natural world, is the heart of our nature-based philosophy.
Discovering new creatures at Curious By Nature preschool.
And just recently, following several dry weeks, I saw a returning summer camper light up with joy as she jumped with both feet into a long-awaited puddle after a rare August rain. The puddle was just water — but to her, it was a celebration, a sensory experience, a chance to engage with the elements and the season.
An additional benefit of nature-based education
Increasingly, pediatric research supports what we see daily at Curious by Nature School: children who spend more time outdoors tend to have stronger immune systems and a reduced risk of developing allergies. Exposure to soil, plants, and nature helps train young immune systems in healthy, balanced ways. This growing body of evidence reinforces the value of our nature-based approach to early childhood education.
Our pillars in action
Nature-based, child-centered
These words are more than a tagline — they reflect the heartbeat of our work at Curious by Nature School. At CBNS, the moments described above aren’t simply cute or anecdotal. They are embedded in an intentional and robust educational framework grounded in three pillars:
Pillar 1: nature-based
We believe the natural world is the most dynamic classroom. Our teachers help students identify plants and wildlife, assess risks, and explore with empathy and care. We build environmental literacy early and encourage our children to become stewards of the land through no-trace principles and seasonal awareness. Learning here is messy, grounded, and meaningful—because it’s connected to the real world.
Pillar 2: reggio-inspired
Children are not empty vessels to be filled, but capable and curious individuals with their own questions and interests. We see ourselves as co-learners alongside them, letting their observations and the natural rhythms of the environment guide our emergent curriculum. The learning is play-based, process-focused, and documented through observations, art, and story. Families are deeply engaged through newsletters, conferences, and community events. The result? A connected community where children’s voices are heard and honored.
Pillar 3: kindergarten readiness
While our environment is natural and our approach is child-led, we are deeply committed to ensuring every child leaves CBNS ready to thrive in kindergarten. We use the Handwriting Without Tears framework, social-emotional development practices, and Washington State’s Gold Standards to inform our assessments and teaching. Our focus on executive functioning, conflict resolution, and independence prepares our students not just for school, but for life.
Skilled teachers, intentional teaching
What has impressed me most — after decades in the classroom — is the instructional skill of our teachers. Their ability to guide learning without directing it, to provoke thought without providing answers, and to create safe, inspiring environments every day is extraordinary. They make each outdoor moment an opportunity for inquiry, growth, and joy. Their work is not only pedagogically sound — it is profoundly human.
More than a school — a community of curiosity
Curious by Nature School is more than just a preschool; it’s a place where wonder and wisdom meet. It’s where a puddle can teach resilience, a frog can spark a conversation about transformation, and a boat becomes a lesson in leadership and teamwork. As I reflect on these first few months, I feel immense gratitude to be part of this incredible community. The children remind me daily that learning is not a task — it’s a journey.
As we prepare to launch a new school year across both our Wagner Way and Crescent Valley campuses, our entire CBNS team is energized and ready. We’re excited to reconnect with returning students and families — and to warmly welcome those who are new to us. With continued focus on our three guiding pillars, we look forward to offering every child an exceptional, joyful learning experience — one that inspires curiosity, builds confidence, and cultivates a lifelong love of learning.
Daniel J. Gregory is Director of Learning, Leadership, and Advancement at Curious by Nature School.