Open Door Outdoor Learning

Open Door focuses on the social, emotional, physical and educational needs of each child. We recognize every child as an individual and attempt to foster unique and creative attributes through a variety of play-based learning experiences. Our goal is to build positive self-images and enable each child to shine!

Open Door works in partnership with the Biology Department at St Olaf College. Children from Open Door visit the St Olaf Prairie/wetlands three times a year to observe the seasonal changes under the guidance of selected students from the Biology Department. In addition to the prairie/wetland experience, the St Olaf students bring environmental activities and visual aids to the Open Door classroom on a monthly basis. This is an innovative, exciting program which helps develop and promote environmental awareness.

Since outdoor education is so important to Open Door, we would like to grow our on-site outdoor learning space in addition to continuing our partnership with St. Olaf. We are currently fundraising with the hopes of expanding our fenced outside space and adding native plants to learn about and care for.

Accessibility to quality early education has been a foundational principle of Open Door and because of this we offer two types of scholarships. As a 4-Star Parent Aware rated program families at Open Door can apply for Early Learning Scholarships through Families First of MN which can cover up to $7500 annually per child. We also offer scholarships through Open Door which cover up to ¼ scholarship based on need for those who do not meet the Parent Aware eligibility. Please visit our scholarship page for more information.