Elements, the Nature Preschool, New York

Elements, the Nature Preschool is a preschool in New York, NY, serving children from 1 to 5 years old through its outdoor, nature-based learning program. Located on Suffolk Street in the Lower East Side, the school offers open-air classrooms and a child-led, emergent curriculum rooted in nature, play, and community care. It provides accessible, publicly funded 3K and 4K programming for 3- and 4-year-olds, along with flexible scheduling, extended care, summer programs, and family workshops. The school emphasizes social-emotional development, equity, inclusion, and hands-on exploration using loose parts, plants, and natural materials.

Founded in 2015 by Shilpa Sethi, Elements was built on the belief in reconnecting children with their innate relationship to nature. The school fosters authentic, child-driven play and encourages autonomy, risk-taking, and problem-solving within a supportive, inclusive environment. Educators are committed to nature-based learning and early childhood development, guiding children to build honest relationships with themselves, peers, and the natural world. The program includes daily in-house cooked vegetarian meals, optional for an additional fee, and offers a unique blend of outdoor learning and community engagement.

The preschool is situated on Suffolk Street, just a short walk from the Lower East Side Preparatory High School, School for Global Leaders, and CityMD clinic. It lies near Delancey Street, a major thoroughfare, and is within a block of the Teatro LATEA and the attraction Zohramp, placing it in the heart of a vibrant, educational, and cultural neighborhood.

Though the school has a 3.00 rating based on two reviews, its mission of equitable, nature-centered early education and its commitment to accessible programming for families in Manhattan’s Lower East Side reflect its dedication to community and child-centered values. Elements stands as a distinctive presence in New York’s preschool landscape, offering a rare, outdoor-focused educational experience in an urban setting.

Services:

• Accessible Care
• Community Events
• Nature Driven Curriculum
• Nature-Driven Curriculum
• Outdoor Classrooms
• Outdoors Classrooms