Preschool

EXPANDING EDUCATION, INCREASING EARLY CHILDHOOD OPPORTUNITY
The South Dakota Discovery Center is providing solutions to the growing childcare crisis facing our communities through more robust education programs for area 3-5 year olds. This means programs that work better within the traditional work schedule and building partnerships with local daycare providers and transportation providers to bring the best opportunities to our young students without burdening parents.

We believe STEM is for all—every child (and adult) deserves access to hands-on science education, starting with our youngest explorers. Let us know about your experience, what you need from our scholarship programs, and what other needs you see in our communities. We want to know how we might work together to give our kids the best future possible. Please reach out by emailing our Early Childhood Specialist, TyAnn Allison at tyannallison@sd-discovery.org; we look forward to hearing from you.

2025 Spring Semester!

Little STEAMers Preschool

2-Day Session (3-4 year olds)

Member Price: $693
Nonmember Price: $832

REGISTER FOR 2-DAY SESSION (3-4 YEAR OLDS) 

3-Day Session (4-5 year olds)

Member Price: $1,064.25
Nonmember Price: $1,227

REGISTER FOR 3-DAY SESSION (4-5 YEAR OLDS)  

Our Little STEAMers Preschool is based on the Montessori principles that children learn best when they are given the freedom to move, to choose their own work, and follow their interests, operating within boundaries that include respect for themselves, others, and their environment. In Little STEAMers Preschool students learn through guided exploration and build skills with independent hands-on learning. Using Montessori methods, our teachers progress students’ exploration skills and use a complete preschool curriculum to develop students’ understanding of STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and communication (language arts & literacy). 

The 2-Day Session is for students ages 3-4 and runs January 9 to May 2, every Thursday and Friday from 8:00am to 12:00pm at the SDDC Homebase (our exhibit hall!), 805 West Sioux Ave. Dropoff occurs within 15 minutes prior class and pickup within 15 minutes after the end of class at the back entrance. Students MUST be potty trained prior to the start of class. Our 2-Day Session students and their guardian/s are expected to attend the Little STEAMers Welcome on Thursday, January 2, 2024, from 5:30-6:30pm at the South Dakota Discovery Center Homebase (our exhibit hall!), 805 West Sioux Avenue.

The 3-Day Session is for students ages 4-5 and runs January 6 to April 30, every Monday-Wednesday from 8:00am to 12:00pm at the SDDC Homebase (our exhibit hall!), 805 West Sioux Ave. Dropoff occurs within 15 minutes prior class and pickup within 15 minutes after the end of class at the back entrance. Students MUST be potty trained prior to the start of class. Our 3-Day Session students and their guardian/s are expected to attend the Little STEAMers Welcome on Thursday, January 2, 2024, from 5:30-6:30pm at the South Dakota Discovery Center Homebase (our exhibit hall!), 805 West Sioux Avenue. 

Please note: That children go outside as long as the temperature (with wind chill) is between 30 and 90 degrees fahrenheit—parents or guardians are responsible for dressing their student/s in appropriate clothing. 

CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS:
Little STEAMers Preschool Montessori-based, hands-on exploration curriculum highlights:

• Healthy eating through DOH Harvest of the Month instruction and daily meal prep skills development to help at home and build foundational life skills.
• Caring for ourselves in mind, body, and spirit, through guided quiet times, physical education, and situational exploration, we work through decision making and respecting each others’ differences.
• Behavioral support through Montessori methods that engage students in independent exploration in both individual and group learning to prepare   for K-12 education.
• Caring for others and the environment with activities that engage in community service, including gardening and trash collection.
• Understanding community helpers with local guides in STEM and civic services that share why people, like nurses, help us and how we can use our knowledge and skills to build our community.

PLEASE NOTE:
If your child is recently 4 and has never before participated in half day programming, we suggest Session 1b as a great way to get them used to teacher-led classes.

Dropoff for all sessions occurs within 15 minutes prior class and pickup within 15 minutes after the end of class.

Payment plans are available, please send inquiries to info@sd-discovery.org.

Class materials are provided by the South Dakota Discovery Center out of program fees and donations. Become a supporter today!

Itty Bitty Einsteins

Every 1st Saturday!
Member Price: $0 (must register prior to the event)

REGISTER FOR ITTY BITTY EINSTEINS
Itty Bitty Einsteins are FREE, MEMBERS-ONLY events introducing preschoolers and their caregivers to fun, hands-on Discovery Center science. The classes compliment our Little STEAMers preschool with coordinating activities for children and families. 

Enjoy hands-on science with your kid(s) and get to know the Center!

Summer 2025
Little Explorers Nature Preschool

Session 1a 
Member Price: $515
Nonmember Price: $618

REGISTER FOR SESSION 1a (4-5 YEAR OLDS)  

Session 1b
Member Price: $215
Nonmember Price: $257

REGISTER FOR SESSION 1b (3-4 YEAR OLDS)  

Session 2
Member Price: $515
Nonmember Price: $618

REGISTER FOR SESSION 2 (4-5 YEAR OLDS)  

Our Little Explorers Nature Preschool is South Dakota’s first fully outdoor education program based on Montessori principles that children learn best when they are given the freedom to move, to choose their own work, and follow their interests, operating within boundaries that include respect for themselves, others, and the environment.

Little Explorers Nature Preschool students learn from their environment through guided adventure and build skills with independent hands-on learning. Using Montessori methods, our teachers, with the help of local community guides, develop students’ exploration skills and their understanding of STEM concepts. 

Session 1a is for students ages 4-5 and runs June 2-26, every Monday-Thursday from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Session 1a students and their caretaker/s are expected to attend the Little Explorers Welcome on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 5:30-6:30pm. Additional details and a final class supply list will be sent the first week of May 2025. 

Session 1b is for students ages 3-4 and runs June 3-26, every Tuesday-Thursday from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. Session 1b students and their caretaker/s are expected to attend the Little Explorers Welcome on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, from 5:30-6:30pm. Additional details and a final class supply list will be sent the first week of May 2025.

Session 2 is for students ages 4-5 and runs July 7-31, every Monday-Thursday from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Session 2 students and their caretaker/s are expected to attend the Little Explorers Welcome on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 5:30-6:30pm. Additional details and a final class supply list will be sent the first week of May 2025. 

PLEASE NOTE:
If your child is recently 4 and has never before participated in half day programming, we suggest Session 1b as a great way to get them used to teacher-led classes.

Dropoff for all sessions occurs within 15 minutes prior class and pickup within 15 minutes after the end of class.

Parents or guardians are responsible for providing their student with a water bottle and dressing them in appropriate clothing for being outside, including close-toed shoes, socks, long pants, and a long sleeve shirt, along with applying their student’s first round of sunscreen. IF YOUR CHILD IS NOT DRESSED APPROPRIATELY OR DOES NOT HAVE A WATER BOTTLE, THEY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED INTO CLASS. The final class supply list will be sent the first week of May 2025, but it will contain the following items that will be returned to the student at the end of class:

• Canvas drawstring bag (can be purchased through the SDDC Store)
• Extra long sleeve shirt and pants*
• Light jacket*
• Children’s sun/safari hat*
• Poncho or raincoat*
• Reusable water bottle*

*Label all of these items with your student’s initials. The SDDC is not responsible for replacing damaged, missing, or unlabeled items.

Payment plans are available, please send inquiries to info@sd-discovery.org.

Class materials are provided by the South Dakota Discovery Center out of program fees and donations. Shelter from inclement weather is made possible through a partnership with the Izaak Walton League and use of the Pierre Native Plant Arboretum and Nature Area is made possible through a partnership with the City of Pierre. Become a supporter today!