Butterfly Hill is AWESOME.
BHNP is a developmentally appropriate preschool experience that embraces the whole child. We allow children time, space, and freedom to make choices based on their own needs and interests with support from the teaching staff. We view the environment as a teacher of the children and take special care in the planning and implementation of materials in the room based on collective interest from the children.
Our program is built on a solid foundation of brain research showing that young children learn through play. According to The American Academy of Pediatrics:
“Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them. Play allows children to create and explore a world they can master, conquering their fears while practicing adult roles, sometimes in conjunction with other children or adult caregivers. As they master their world, play helps children develop new competencies that lead to enhanced confidence and the resiliency they will need to face future challenges. Undirected play allows children to learn how to work in groups, to share, to negotiate, to resolve conflicts, and to learn self-advocacy skills. …Perhaps above all, play is a simple joy that is a cherished part of childhood”.
[source: Pediatrics, January 2007, VOLUME 119 / ISSUE 1]
The Nuts and Bolts
Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool offers …
Early childhood education for children ages 3, 4, and 5
A school based on brain research
Play based learning
Nature based learning:
Outdoor play is an essential part of health and wellness. We spend ample time outside in our outdoor classroom as well as in the local state and county parks.
A Forest School program that takes our students off site to our local state and county parks
Mixed age classes:
Families may register for their preferred class option whether their child is 3, 4, or 5 years old
Multiple class options that are two, three, or five days per week
Multiple class durations:
Half Day 8-11:30
Full Day 8-3:00
Extended Day with flexible drop off/pick up times as early as 7:15 AM and as late as 5:15 PM
Take a Tour.
Meet Our Teachers.
Christy has been working with littles for almost 40 years! The experience she brings to Butterfly Hill is invaluable and we knew we were lucky to have her join us when we opened in 2014. She is skilled at really knowing our students well and is great at filling families in about their kiddo’s days at school. Christy has three grown children, lives on a small farm, and enjoys camping in the summer.
Teacher Christy
Alisa loves travel, ice cream, and dogs
Psychology student
Fan of Dad jokes and puns
Passionate about mental health, community, and sustainability
Neurodiverse
Lovingly called Teacher Yaya
Alisa (Teacher Yaya)
Teacher Nicole
Nicole comes to us with many years of experience working with young children. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southwest Minnesota State University. Nicole has a calming presence that children are drawn to. Our preschoolers love when she reads to them, plays games, or builds puzzles with them. When not at work Nicole can be found enjoying the outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
Theresa started substitute teaching at Butterfly Hill to help us out when teachers were gone for a day. We quickly knew that we needed to find a permanent spot for her to join our team! The children recognize her compassion and understanding of who they each are. All the preschoolers want to cuddle up with Teacher Theresa to read stories together! Theresa joins our forest school kiddos at the county parks each morning. She is a Disney fanatic and when she is not crafting or sewing, she is taxi mom to her three kids or watching them at their activities and sports.
Teacher Theresa
Josie is excited to be back in Minnesota where she grew up after spending a few years away in the Pacific Northwest earning her Bachelors Degree in Child Development and working with children at nature preschools. She has a patient and curious nature and is happiest helping children discover what is great about the great outdoors. Josie has three children who always keep her sharp on her toes. When not at school you can find Josie spending time with her family, pets, or working on one of her many hobbies.
Teacher Josie
Julie has always felt fortunate to have landed at Butterfly Hill after moving back to Alexandria in 2014. She recognizes the magic created here among our students, teachers, and families. Over the years, Julie has found her role at BHNP changing as the needs of our school have changed. While teaching is where her heart remains, change and new challenges suit her well! Julie is mom to four children and three dogs. She loves experiencing all sorts of adventures with her family.
Director Julie
Support Staff Ginny
We welcomed Ginny to our classroom in April 2022. You do not have to dig into research too far to learn about the benefits pets have on people of all ages. If you spend time in our classroom you will witness the calming effect Ginny has on a preschooler experiencing big emotions. The fastest way to achieve emotional regulation for many kiddos is to be in the presence of Ginny. She is our “Preschooler Whisperer.”
Board of Directors
The following individuals serve on our Board of Directors:
Kari Hillesheim - Chair
Rachel Sieve - Secretary
Terra Anderson
Denise Jorud
Carl Kvale
Kyle Momsen
Sue Rishavy
Beginnings.
Kristen Day founded Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool in 2013. Envisioning a place for childhood that embraces outdoor play, Kristen set out to create a truly developmentally appropriate place for children in the Alexandria community.
Kristen created Butterfly Hill with the sole purpose of play for children, indoors, and out. After extensive personal research, she recognized that the traditional teaching methods often seen in early childhood programs go against what has been found by neuroscientists about the way people learn. With ideas, creativity, a mission, and a team of volunteers, she created Butterfly Hill Nature Preschool as a non-profit organization.
Opening the doors in 2014 to the first group of preschoolers, Butterfly Hill has grown exponentially and over 600 children and families have been able to experience magic in learning over the years.
You can now find Kristen motivating and inspiring early childhood educators with her knowledge about play worldwide as she travels and teaches online. You may see her around every once in a while as she is still a consultant for Butterfly Hill. You can find her website here.