ODC Early Childhood Network

ODC Early Childhood Network Little Hawks, Seedlings and Dragonflies Discovery Preschools are nature-based preschool programs for three and four-year-olds located.

Schools include Little Hawks Discovery Preschool located at the Outdoor Discovery Center, Seedlings Discovery Preschool in downtown Holland, Dragonflies Discovery Preschool in Park Township, and Woodlands Discovery Preschool in Holland Township. Children spend time outdoors each day, learning through active play and exploration. OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe that children are natural learners, eager t

o explore and create. The teaching staff promotes early learning by:
- Providing a natural environment that enables and encourages discovery, experimentation, and the opportunity to see the results of one’s actions.

- Structuring a program that includes many opportunities for children to be outdoors, learning and exploring, reflecting the research that supports the advantages of these experiences.

-Offering opportunities for children to connect with nature while developing the skills of the whole child, as well as children’s individual abilities and interests.

- Encouraging problem solving and reflection by asking open-ended questions and providing information in response to children’s ideas, observations, and questions.

- Assisting children in their interactions with each other and supporting opportunities for learning to work in a group.

- Appreciating and celebrating the unique individuality of children and families

You may qualify for FREE PRESCHOOL! Our afternoon 4-year-old session participates in Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program. This program supports qualify preschool in Michigan. The income eligibility includes moderate income levels.

"There's no way that we can help children to learn to love and preserve this planet if we don't give them direct experie...
08/10/2026

"There's no way that we can help children to learn to love and preserve this planet if we don't give them direct experiences with the miracles and blessings of nature." 🐸

08/06/2026

What a lovely morning it was for our final “Dragonfly Days” playgroup of the summer! 🦋 🌼 The morning was full of exploring on the playscape, hiking with our school naturalist Ms Vicki, Wildflowers and Butterflies. What an amazing summer of adventures the Playgroup had! We are getting excited for a GREAT school year! 💚

The best classrooms don’t have four walls. They have towering trees, fresh air and endless opportunities for adventures ...
08/04/2026

The best classrooms don’t have four walls. They have towering trees, fresh air and endless opportunities for adventures and new discoveries!🌲🔎

Cooking with students helps develop lifelong skills by preparing and following a recipe to create a snack together. Stud...
07/31/2026

Cooking with students helps develop lifelong skills by preparing and following a recipe to create a snack together. Students help wash, stir, pour, and taste while also building confidence and independence. Cooking benefits students through:

🥝 Early Math Skills (measuring and counting)

🍉 Science Learning (mixing, changes and textures)

🥕 Communication and Cooperation

🍓 Healthy Eating Habits

The joy on the students faces say it all as they proudly help make the food "all by themselves" is priceless! ❤️ Share below what your child's favorite thing to help you make at home? ⬇️

💚 "We must teach our children to smell the earth, to taste the rain, to touch the wind, to see things grow, to see the s...
07/29/2026

💚 "We must teach our children to smell the earth, to taste the rain, to touch the wind, to see things grow, to see the sun rise and night fall - to care." 💚

Check out what the White Tailed Deer Class came across on one of their recent hikes! 👀 🐇 They stopped and took time to s...
07/27/2026

Check out what the White Tailed Deer Class came across on one of their recent hikes! 👀 🐇 They stopped and took time to share what they noticed about the rabbit. They quietly observed, and shared what they noticed about the rabbit. Moments like this remind us how much we can learn when we slow down and really pay attention to the world all around us. 💚

Research shows that spending time in and around natural waterways can reduce stress, improve mental wellbeing, and encou...
07/25/2026

Research shows that spending time in and around natural waterways can reduce stress, improve mental wellbeing, and encourage physical activity.

Whether you kayak a river, paddle a lake, skip rocks, cool off in a creek, cast a fishing line, or simply take a walk along the shoreline, every moment spent near water is an opportunity to reconnect with nature!

07/23/2026

Some of our youngest explorers at Woodlands Discovery Preschool had time to discover how hammers can build creativity. 🔨

Hammering helps develop hand-eye coordination, patience, confidence and fine motor skills - plus kids learn cause and effect with every tap!

Safe to say, the hammers were a hit! 🤍

Students in the Mallard class at Gentex Discovery Preschool brought along field guides and set off on an adventure! They...
07/21/2026

Students in the Mallard class at Gentex Discovery Preschool brought along field guides and set off on an adventure! They found a cozy spot to stop and explore! They found different wildflowers and matched them to the ones on their field guide. They even watched and got a close view of a group of Turkeys that walked past! 🦃

Students in the Chipmunk Class waded into the creek for an adventure! 💦 Here’s how Creek Play helps children grow: 💚 Gro...
07/17/2026

Students in the Chipmunk Class waded into the creek for an adventure! 💦 Here’s how Creek Play helps children grow:

💚 Gross Motor Skills: Squatting down to grab rocks, high steps through water, climbing the muddy bank all build leg and core strength.

💚 Balance and Coordination: Uneven rocks and squishy sand mean little feet are constantly adjusting which helps with coordination and stabilizing muscles.

💚 Fine Motor Skills: Picking up tiny rocks, squishing sand and dripping water all help grow those tiny finger movements for writing, etc.

💚 Full-Body Sensory Input: Cold water, smooth rocks, squishy mud/sand, the sound of flowing water hit all the senses at once!

💚 Building Cognitive Skills: Asking questions like “Why does this stick float but the rock sinks?” or “Where does the water go?” all help with building early science skills.

💚 Language Skills: Exploring in the creek helps build new vocabulary with words like: splash, slippery, minnow, ripple…watch vocab take off after a morning at the creek!

Address

Holland, MI
49423

Telephone

+16163939453

Website

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