Thank you for considering Hartley Nature Preschool for the 2026-27 preschool year! The application period for the 2026-27 enrollment lottery has passed. We are now accepting waiting list applications for 2026-27 openings. Use this system to submit the fee for the 2026-27 waiting list.

Scholarships are available to help your family pay for preschool! Learn more about scholarships and apply via our simple application by copying and pasting this link into a new tab or window. 

About Hartley Nature Preschool

Our mission at Hartley Nature Preschool (HNP) is to inspire life-long connections with nature through education, play, and exploration while supporting the whole child’s development and preparing children for school.

Our vision: to help each child blossom. 

HNP is a preschool program that:

• Serves 3-5 year old children
• Emphasizes learning through playing outdoors
• Supports the development of the whole child
• Provides children with the chance to develop a lifelong connection with nature
• Helps children prepare for kindergarten
• Offers full and half day classes to meet the needs of each family
• Operates September-May
• Is licensed by the MN Department of Human Services as a child care center
• Accepts state and county scholarship funds and has a limited Hartley scholarship fund

Questions about HNP?

• Sign up for a tour to see the preschool in action and make sure it is a good fit for your child and your family! Visit the HNC website for dates, times, and the sign up form. 
  • ​Tours are typically offered Nov-Mar and are not offered in the summer.
  • Tours take place outdoors. Be sure to dress for the weather. 
• Visit our FAQ page to learn more about HNP and find answers to many common questions including what gear a preschooler needs and what it means to be potty trained for preschool. You can also find lots of information about the benefits of nature-based programming like HNP on our curriculum and learning FAQ page. 

To be added to the 2026-27 Hartley Nature Preschool Waiting List:

• PAY the $25 waiting list fee per child on this website or by check. 
  • Click the red register button on the left or the grey button below to proceed.  
  • You can pay the waiting list fee online or by check. Online payments  by credit card or e-check payments include a 3% convenience fee. Payment must be received to be added to the waiting list. 
• SUBMIT the waiting list application form to:
  • preschool@hartleynature.org or
  • Hartley Nature Center 3001 Woodland Ave. Duluth, MN 55803
• Interested in a scholarship? Apply via our simple application by copying and pasting this link into a new tab or window
  • HNP accepts Early Learning Scholarships and CCAP. We also have a small Hartley scholarship fund called the Nature Access Fund for families that do not qualify for state and county assistance.
    • Every year we receive far more requests for scholarships than we are able to award. Please consider donating to support the Nature Access Fund. 
  • Scholarship proof must be submitted in order for your scholarship application to be considered for Hartley Nature Access Fund scholarships