Welcome to Natural Start
We are a half-day outdoor-focused preschool located between Swords and Donabate, offering a unique combination of both indoor classroom learning and enriching outdoor experiences. Children spend as much time outdoors as possible, exploring and discovering in nature, or learning through a mixture of Montessori activities and play in our cosy indoor space.
In this idyllic rural setting, surrounded by farmland, hedges and trees, we provide a service for children availing of the ECCE scheme - usually between the ages of 3 and 6 years old.
Our facilities include a huge outdoor environment with a shelter, a sand pit, mounds, trees, flower beds, kitchen garden, polytunnel, mud kitchens, dens and a fire pit.
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We also have a fully equipped indoor classroom of 50 square meters. We have a mixture of free play and Montessori activities indoors. We follow the Montessori philosophy in everything that we do - which means we believe that play is the work of the child, children should be encouraged to be independent and we support them with a child-led curriculum. Children have the freedom to choose their activities and are supported to strengthen their senses and have respect for their environment. Children spend about 60-90% of their time outdoors, its all weather dependent.
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School hours are 9.15 to 12.45. Get in touch to organise a visit. Due to the nature of working with young children, visits are outside school hours and by appointment only.
We are
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1 minute from the M1 motorway (at junction 4 - Donabate)
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5 minutes from Swords/Donabate main street
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7 minutes from Dublin Airport!
Physical fitness!
Outdoor play provides space and opportunity for children to run, jump, climb, roll, pull, push and drag items. These activities strengthen the core and improve gross motor skills, balance, coordination and spatial awareness. Being outdoors also develops immunity and increases Vitamin D levels.
Independence
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When children are given freedom of choice and movement they begin to have clearer ideas and plan their play. This experience leads to increasing confidence in their own abilities and ideas and they can create and build their play from their initiatives.
Social Skills
In the outdoor environment, children are more relaxed and so have more positive interactions with their friends. They learn valuable social skills through negotiating, testing ideas, solving problems, following their interests, sharing and cooperating.
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What now?
Feel free to get in touch to arrange a visit to our preschool and discuss your options. If you have decided you want to take a place, you can hold your place with a deposit of €250. If you're approved for the ECCE scheme and attend, your deposit will be refunded.
Please note, after January 31st of the entry year, deposits are non-refundable. We reserve places for families and may not be able to fill them on short notice.
Why not come see the school!
To schedule a visit to our school, get in touch and we can arrange it. If you have any questions, just reach out!
JOIN OUR TEAM
Join our exceptional team of dedicated educators and nature lovers who are transforming early childhood education! At our preschool, we don’t just teach—we ignite curiosity, nurture creativity, and foster a love for the outdoors in every child. If you’re passionate about inspiring young minds and embracing the wonders of nature, explore our opportunities and discover how you can be part of something truly special.