About Our Clark County Early Learning Center
Where Curiosity Leads The Way
Early Learning, Where Belonging Begins
Why Choose Gardner’s Country Friends Campus?
Country Friends is built on a simple belief: young children learn best when they feel safe, seen, and free to explore. Our mission is to nurture the whole child (mind, body, and heart) through play-based learning, meaningful relationships, and daily connection to nature. We create a space where curiosity is celebrated, mistakes are part of learning, and every child belongs.
Clark County Early Childhood Education
Play-Based. Child-Led. Nature-Connected
Our early learning model is rooted in research. Children construct knowledge through play, and the natural world is one of the best classrooms there is. Children dig in the dirt, build with open-ended materials, ask big questions, and follow their curiosity wherever it leads. Teachers observe, guide, and extend learning, but the children lead the way.
Clark County Daycare
Grow, Together
We believe strong relationships between home and school help children thrive. That partnership shows up in warm handoffs at drop-off, regular communication about your child’s growth, and an open-door culture where questions are always welcome.
Our community extends beyond the classroom. Families gather for seasonal celebrations, volunteer, and support one another through the joys and challenges of raising young children.
Guides, Nurturers, Explorers Alongside Your Child
Our teachers are the heart of Country Friends. They bring experience, warmth, and a deep understanding of how young children learn.
They get down on the floor, ask open-ended questions, and meet each child where they are. Many of our educators have been with Country Friends for years, building the kind of trusting relationships that help children feel secure and ready to explore.
Where Children Thrive…
“My son is THRIVING at Country Friends! He has a lot of energy and has struggled in other programs. To say they are wonderful with him at Country Friends is an understatement. I can’t recommend them enough!”
— Jacki M. (Parent)
Independent Private School in Clark County
A Seamless Path To Kindergarten And Beyond
Country Friends is the early learning campus of Gardner School, an independent progressive school serving children through sixth grade.
Families who start at Country Friends often continue to Gardner’s main campus for elementary school, where the same child-centered philosophy guides learning at every age. It’s a seamless transition with the same values, the same commitment to the whole child, and the same community feel.
Join A Community That Teaches, Learns & Grows Together
Country Friends is always looking for passionate people who believe in play-based learning, value connection, and want to make a difference in the lives of children and families. We offer a supportive work environment, professional development opportunities, and the chance to be part of a community that truly cares. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you.
FAQs
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Our philosophy is rooted in play-based, child-led learning. We believe children learn best through hands-on exploration, meaningful relationships, and connection to nature. Our approach draws from progressive early childhood practices that honor each child's developmental stage and unique way of learning.
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It’s both! Here’s why…Play is how young children develop academic skills. Through block building, children learn math concepts. Through dramatic play, they build language and social skills. Through art and sensory exploration, they develop fine motor control and creative thinking. Our educators intentionally design play experiences that build foundational skills, so children are learning even when it looks like "just playing."
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Social-emotional learning is woven into everything we do. Teachers help children name their feelings, navigate conflicts, and build friendships. We use positive guidance strategies, model empathy, and create a classroom culture where every child feels safe and valued.
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Families are essential partners at Country Friends. We invite parents to volunteer in the classroom, help in the garden, and join us for seasonal celebrations and special events. Regular communication keeps families connected to their child's daily experience, and teachers are always available to talk through questions or concerns.
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Teachers document learning through observations, photos, and work samples. Families receive regular updates about their child's growth and development, and we provide assessments throughout the year to discuss progress and set goals together.
Courage, Creativity, Curiosity, Connection
These four words guide everything we do at Country Friends. We encourage courage to try new things, creativity in play and problem-solving, curiosity that drives discovery, and connection to teachers, friends, and the natural world. Come see how these values come to life in our classrooms.