New Explorers Learning Center (NELC) was created as a collaborative effort of people who realized Nederland was losing its two private preschool programs. NELC provides care for children 2 1/2 - kindergarten. Karen Campbell, director, and Lisa McCoy worked at Little Bear for many years before helping to create the NELC program.
Stephen LeFaiver, director of Teens, Inc., saw the need for the community and NELC is a program of Teens, Inc.With the Teens, Inc. support the new learning center was opened in the building that housed Aspen Grove Preschool.
The preschool has a prime location to spend time outdoors and all the teachers find this to be one of the most important experiences they provide for the children. Getting out on field trips in the local area is one of Campbell’s and McCoy’s favorite activities and provides a real “sense of place” for the kids. Sense of place is an important piece of a child’s early development. It creates the sense of belonging and is beneficial in creating important attachments.
The teachers at NELC bring a variety of interests and backgrounds that enriches the program. Ms. Liz (Liz Putnam) comes on Tuesdays to teach Spanish. Her dramatic flair and love for teaching the children makes this day one of the favorite days of the week. The children learn language as well as culture and Putnam’s background in PE leads to great field time and soccer games.
Other teachers have specialties such as: yoga, science during Science Thursdays, storytelling, song time, environmental education during Wild Wednesdays, First Lego League Discover robotics, cooking, and many others. One of the children’s favorite activities is to hike to the “frog pond.” They also enjoy swimming at Gilpin County Recreation Center on many Wednesdays. The outdoor area is being developed as a “nature playground” with features such as a mud kitchen and vegetable gardens.
NELC belongs to the Farm to ECE program. This provides the families with fresh produce and recipes to try at home as well as activities for the children to learn about food, farming, and nutrition.
The building is a part of Nederland history. It was built by Joe Smith, a miner (and later Boulder County Commissioner) from Gold Hill so that he could provide a home for his wife, Irene. Irene was a local school teacher so today’s use for the education and care of small children is a fitting purpose for their old house.
Recently, through the Fishing in the Schools program, the children all had the opportunity to go to Chipeta Park and fish in the pond there. Some had bites and one landed a fish! This program is through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Programs are available as a field trip to the CPW’s own fishing area close to Chatfield. For this younger set poles and educational materials were sent to the school. Ms. Springer has led the fishing and other environmental education for CPW and was joined by all the other teachers to make this day a special one. Everyone was very enthusiastic, and each child received a fishing pole and spinning reel.
To contact CPW and set up a program for your group email andre.egli@state. co.us.
NELC can be reached at NELC@teensinc.org or by calling 303- 258-0390.
Sponsored by the Town of Nederland, with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
