Mission and Values
The mission of Otuya Natural Early Learning is to nurture preschoolers academic, physical, and social-emotional development to learn to be kind, smart, and able children ready for future learning and life ahead.
Welcome to Otuya Natural Early Learning Family Child Care Home! Located in Hays, KS, our preschool services focus on nurturing and developing the whole-child physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially to prepare them for later school and their life ahead in general. As nature and time spent outdoors is so beneficial to a child as a whole, I designed this program to take place in natural or otherwise homey and well-thought out environments where students can be comfortable to learn, grow and build their confidence. We meet 5-days-a-week in the morning on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in Frontier Park (weather permitting). Tuesday and Thursday are at my home address.
About the Teacher
Hello! I am Mandy Otuya.
I am an educator dedicated to caring for young children as well as teaching them and helping them to reach their potientials! I enjoy the imagination and unique points of view that children bring.
I have a degree in elementary education from The University of New Mexico. I am CPR/First Aid certified and have taken additional child development and safety classes. I have worked in preschool, children's church, and elementary school. I have also volunteered in various positions working with children, such as at a children's science museum.
I decided to open this nature preschool because, through working with children and with my own sons, I have seen the wonderful effect that nature and hands-on activities have on children and their ability to learn and thrive. Nature and learning directed at connecting with the children help them to come alive and really engage wth the content and learning without feeling too boxed in. I wanted to bring that to children in Hays,
Semesters
Spring Semester
The spring semester starts on January 6th, 2026 and ends on May 21st, 2026.
Summer Semester
The summer semester starts on June 1st, 2026 and ends on August 7th, 2026.
Fall Semester
The fall semester starts on August 20th, 2026 and ends on December 22nd, 2026.
Rates and Hours
Weekly Amount: $135
Hours: 9am-12pm Monday-Friday
(You may inquire about part-time positions)
Daily Schedules
Nature Preschool Day Schedule
Morning drop-off/Imaginative Play: The kids arrive and are told the theme of the day. They have the outdoors and various sections and resources, such as a nature/junk box, to influence and inspire their play. They wear bright vests so I can keep an eye on them and their play area has designated boundaries, such as with cones. They are told to do something that is related to the theme of the day. I greet the children as they come in, keep an eye on them, and ask how their play relates to today's theme.
Circle Time: The kids form a circle and we talk about the weather, do counting to our number of the week, and talk about our letter of the week. We talk about the big questions for the day and what we can do to solve it.
Nature Walk: The kids all hold onto a rope with places for them to grab, while I take the front of the rope and lead them along the trail. They can get a reward if they find something that starts with the letter of the week. They are encouraged to ask questions and are able to gather specimens to take back with us to study.
Snack and Story: I read them a book that has to do with their social or emotional development while they eat snacks. After snack, we talk about and practice using the lessons from the book.
Project Time: We try to solve our big question of the day using nature, the resources I provide, and anything we brought from our walk. This can involve creating a craft (such as creating binoculars to see far), studying something (like seeing what a leaf looks like under a microscope), or learning something new (like how to add numbers together). I will try to have a variety of options so the kids can express their creativity, problem solving, and work corresponding to their developmental age.
Independent Learning Time/Pick-up Time: The children will be encouraged to play in the designated areas and are reminded to use the social/emotional skill we learned about that day.
* Sometime during the day, I would like to pull out and work with one kid independently on developing some skill that they are ready to learn. Each child would have their “Skill Day” and the next day, I would focus on another child’s individual learning goals.
Home Preschool Day Schedule
Morning drop-off/Imaginative Play: The kids arrive and are told the theme of the day. They have various sections of the room/house to interact with in developmentally appropriate ways (dramatization station, building station, sensory station, etc.) they are told to do something that is related to the theme of the day. I greet the children as they come in, keep an eye on them, and ask how their play relates to today's theme.
Circle Time: The kids form a circle and we talk about the weather, do counting to our number of the week, and talk about our letter of the week. We talk about the big questions for the day and what we can do to solve it.
Outside/Physical Time (Weather Permitting): We all go outside to play and interact. Children are encouraged to care for the plants in the garden. I try to involve the children in physical activities and have at least one sensory or cognition-based activity outside to interact with, in addition to the normal toys and play areas.
(Weather Non Permitting): I will play music and children will be able to participate in an activity that involves movement and physical development (such as Simon Says or yoga) indoors.
If our project involves cooking or baking, Outdoor Time may switch times with Project Time, so that the children can make their snacks before eating. Children will be informed of this change ahead of time so they can be prepared.
Snack and Story: I read them a book that has to do with their social or emotional development while they eat snacks. After snack, we talk about and practice using the lessons from the book.
Project Time: We try to solve our big question of the day using the resources I provide and experimentation together while I guide them. This can involve creating a craft, cooking, studying something, or learning something new (like how to add numbers together or how to sew). I will try to have a variety of options so the kids can express their creativity, problem solving, and work corresponding to their developmental age.
Independent Learning Time/Pick-up Time: The children will be encouraged to play in the various sections of the house and are reminded to use the social/emotional skill we learned about that day.
* Sometime during the day, I would like to pull out and work with one kid independently on developing some skill that they are ready to learn. Each child would have their “Skill Day” and the next day, I would focus on another child’s individual learning goals.
