Experience our Charlotte play-based preschool and discover the magic of a wonder-filled childhood! Open House: January 29 at 7 PM — RSVP today.
Where Every Seed Tells a Story
Gardening at Piedmont Progressive Preschool
Our gardening program is a key extension of our nature-based approach, offering children invaluable experiences that foster curiosity, responsibility, and a love for the environment. To discover more about how our gardening activities and other facets of our innovative curriculum come together, we encourage you to explore the rest of our programs. See how Piedmont Progressive Preschool stands out as a nurturing and enriching environment for young learners.
A Purposefully Designed Garden Program
Our gardening program is intentionally crafted and led by Katie Nguyen, a Two and Three-Year-Old teacher and former Garden Chair on our Parent Council. Drawing on her passion for gardening and years of hands-on experience, Katie has developed a dynamic program that meets with our Three and Four-Year-Old and Four and Five-Year-Old classes one to two times each week. Through carefully planned activities and projects, children engage deeply with the garden as a living classroom that evolves throughout the year.
A Season of Growth
Our garden is a vibrant, ever-changing classroom where children actively participate in every stage of gardening. From planting seeds and tending to the garden, to harvesting and enjoying the fruits of their labor, each phase of growth is thoughtfully integrated into our curriculum, providing a tangible connection to the natural world.
Seasonal Projects & Environmental Stewardship
Beyond planting and harvesting, children take part in seasonal garden projects that deepen their understanding of ecosystems and environmental care. Activities such as creating bug hotels, building pollinator watering stations, and observing insects and plants up close encourage children to see themselves as active participants in nurturing and protecting the earth.
Stone Soup & Cultivating Traditions
One of the most cherished extensions of our gardening curriculum is our Stone Soup tradition. Using produce grown in the garden, children contribute to a shared meal that celebrates their hard work, collaboration, and connection to the land. This time-honored tradition weaves together gardening, storytelling, and community—core values of Piedmont Progressive Preschool.
Building Lifelong Connections to the Natural World
Gardening is a meaningful extension of our nature-based approach, offering children experiences that foster curiosity, confidence, and environmental awareness. Through consistent engagement with the garden, children build a lasting relationship with nature that supports their overall development. To learn more about how gardening and other elements of our curriculum come together, we invite you to explore our full program offerings.
A Glimpse Into Our Garden
A look at the curiosity, care, and connection that come to life through our gardening curriculum.
Where Learning and Wonder Grow
Gardening at Piedmont Progressive Preschool is more than an activity—it’s an opportunity for children to explore, create, and connect with the natural world. Through hands-on projects, seasonal activities, and shared traditions like Stone Soup, children develop curiosity, responsibility, and a lasting love of learning. Our garden program, thoughtfully led by our educators, is just one example of how PPP nurtures joyful, meaningful experiences that support children’s growth.
To see how gardening and other aspects of our curriculum work together to create an enriching early learning environment, we invite you to explore our full programs or contact us to schedule a visit.
We welcome families to see the magic of our garden and classrooms in person!