The Nationally Accredited
Peoples Church Nature Preschool
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Now Celebrating our 75th Year Anniversary in 2026!
BASED IN NATURE
Nationally Accredited by NAEYC for over 25 years, Peoples Church Preschool embraces a nature-based philosophy and strives to connect children with the natural world whenever possible. This influences our curriculum and daily schedules, including the materials and activities available in both the indoor and outdoor classrooms. In 2016, Peoples Church Preschool's Outdoor Classroom received national recognition as a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.
As an urban Nature Preschool, our preschool classes utilize the three-acre Valley Court Park adjacent to the preschool, MSU’s campus, and multiple nature trails and woodlots. We also partner with multiple nature centers located in our community.
Nationally Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children
All preschools and child care centers are required to be licensed in the state of Michigan. Licensed programs must meet all of the state-required specifications for operation. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) focuses on 10 standards of higher quality. These standards include adult-to-child relationships, curriculum, effective teaching approaches, ongoing assessments, nutrition and health, higher qualifications for teachers, collaborative relationships with families, closer relationships with the community, a safe and healthy physical environment and strong personnel, fiscal and program policies so that children, families and staff have high quality experiences. Established over 20 years ago, NAEYC Accreditation has become the mark of quality, helping parents find the best possible early childhood experience. Learn more about the importance of NAEYC accreditation in this brief video.
“I think one of the greatest advances to child care was the creation of the NAEYC Accreditation system, which has helped so much to raise the quality of programs.” – T. Berry Brazelton, MD.
WHAT IS A FAMILY?
Family includes a minor child’s parents, regardless of the gender of either parent. The concept of parenthood is to be liberally construed without limitation as encompassing legal parents, foster parents, same-sex parents, step parents, designated guardians, and other persons operating in caretaker roles. We welcome families to become involved in our program in a number of ways. Our educators partner with families to learn about your family values, culture, traditions and goals for your child. We provide multiple opportunities for families to become involved in the program and in their child’s education.
PLAY-RESPONSIVE vs PLAY-BASED TEACHING
Many schools describe themselves as Play-Based. Peoples Church Preschool has a Play-Responsive approach to teaching. This approach is seen as a joint activity where educators and children are mutually engaged in a specific experience.
Our educators know that quality play takes time, imagination and risk. It is our job to observe and then motivate children toward wonder, curiosity and joy. Dialogue is encouraged through listening and interaction. Children are guided to dig deeper and reflect on their work/play. Educators are trained to slow down, look closely, and listen deeply. This allows them to gather data that leads to future lesson plans. These will then be based on the children’s interests, while incorporating experiences in language and literacy, cognitive, creative, physical, and social-emotional learning.
Dana Johnson,
DIRECTOR
(517) 332-2885 ex. 4449
Dana Johnson began directing Peoples Church Preschool in 1994. The program became nationally accredited under her direction in 1998 and has remained accredited since that time. Dana specifically enjoys working on classroom curriculum, materials and equipment, and with classroom education animals. The program then combines these to create optimal indoor and outdoor learning environments.
Dana obtained her undergraduate degree from Central Michigan University. She received Early Childhood Director Certification from Mott Community College in 1993, and a National Early Childhood Administrator Credential from the National Child Care Association in 2006. She serves on a number of professional development and advocacy committees.
Dana is married to her husband, Nick, and they live in Mason. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren, walking with her dogs, and tending to her hobby farm. Her favorite part of working at Peoples Church Preschool is that every day presents new challenges and joys.
Taurie Konkel,
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
(517)-332-2885 ex. 4455
Taurie joined Peoples Church Preschool in 2019. After many years as a Lead Teacher in the Infant Classroom, she moved into administration as the Assistant Director in 2025. Taurie continues to work with the children in the program, but in her current role, she spends more of her time coaching and mentoring staff members, as well as handling staffing.
Taurie earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Eastern Michigan University. She has previously worked as a preschool teacher and as an Assistant Director for other programs before joining Peoples Church Preschool.
Taurie and her husband, David, live in Lansing with their son, Jameson, and two cats. She loves being home with her family, but also loves crafting/painting, reading, and visiting her parents’ lakehouse.