Current Families

November 7 - November 21, 2025

Members

December 1 - December 15, 2025

Public

January 26, 2026

New Payment Method Policy – Effective January 1, 2026

Effective January 1, 2026, the Darien Nature Center will transition to ACH transfer or check as our preferred payment methods for all programs registered through Playground, including Preschool (Babes in the Woods, Nature Time for Twos, and Nature's Playroom) and Summer Camp, as well as after-school, early dismissal, vacation camps, and any other programs added throughout the year.

Credit card fees cost our nonprofit a significant amount of money each year. Accepting ACH or check payments allows us to apply the full amount of your tuition towards our educational programming, supplies, and staff.

How to Add a Payment Method in Playground

Follow the link below to see a step-by-step guide for adding a payment method to your account.

Link: Add a Payment Method to Your Family Account

Preferred Payment Methods

ACH (Automated Clearing House transfer)

Personal Check

Card Payments

Credit and debit card payments will continue to be accepted; however, please note that families will be responsible for any processing fees associated with tuition payments made by card. 

Processing fees are non-refundable, even in the event that a payment or deposit is later refunded in accordance with our refund policy.

Important Notes

Tuition installment deadlines remain unchanged.

Checks should be made payable to Darien Nature Center and delivered to the main office before your payment due date.

Families are encouraged to set up ACH through their Playground account and designate it as their primary form of payment for the most seamless option.

To apply to our Preschool, families must complete the following steps:

Step 1: Submit Registration Form

At the start of their priority registration periods, current families, then members, and then the public will receive an email with a link to register for the 2026-2027 Preschool year.

Registration forms for each group will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Families will be processed together.

Our programs are very competitive. We strongly encourage families to submit their forms at their earliest convenience, once they have the link.

To confirm enrollment in our Preschool, families must complete the following steps:

Step 2: Confirmation Email

Families will receive a confirmation email when they have been offered a spot in preschool.

Step 3: Acceptance Requirements

To accept and secure your child’s enrollment, both of the following must be completed by December 31, 2025:

Complete the Preschool Acceptance Form (see Paperwork in Playground).

A $250 non-refundable deposit will be processed by the Darien Nature Center upon receipt of the Preschool Acceptance Form.

Step 4: Tuition Payment

The annual tuition schedule consists of two equal installments drawn on January 31, 2026, and November 1, 2026.

Payments must follow the Darien Nature Center’s payment policy (preferred ACH or check; card payments are accepted, but customer will incur processing fees).

Important Notes

Spots will not be held without both the acceptance form and deposit submitted by December 31, 2025.

Failure to respond by December 31 will result in your spot being released to another family.

Preschool Refund Policy: If you choose to withdraw your child for any reason, the Darien Nature Center must be notified of a cancellation by July 24, 2026, to receive a 50% partial refund. There are no refunds for withdrawals made after July 24, 2026. The Darien Nature Center does not offer credits for program withdrawals. Credit or debit card processing fees are non-refundable.

Yes. Our  Preschool programs require a membership to participate. Please see our Membership page for more information about the benefits of being a Darien Nature Center member.

Please review our Mandatory Forms page for information regarding specific enrollment and medical forms required for each program. 

If your first choice(s) are not available, you will be automatically added to the waitlist for any preferred classes.