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121 Turtle Lane, Ithaca, NY

1013 W State St, Ithaca, NY

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Garden Sprouts

An afternoon of outdoor play for curious young explorers.

Garden Sprouts is an afternoon program for 4 and 5-year-olds who are not quite ready for After School @ ICG. This small-group experience offers a gentle step into longer afternoons of nature-based play, helping kids build confidence, independence, and connection in the outdoors. Led by experienced early childhood educators, the program is shaped by children’s interests and offers opportunities to join the After School @ ICG group when activities align.

Program Information

Register

To register, click the button above, log in to (or create) your Brightwheel account, and fill out the form. An ICG staff member will reach out to confirm availability or your place on the waitlist.

Dates & Time

April 6 to June 18, 2026
Monday-Thursday, 2:00 PM-5:15 PM

 

ICG follows the Ithaca City School District calendar for holidays and breaks.

Cost

4 days: $575/month
3 days: $500/month
2 days: $380/month

Scholarship Opportunities

We provide scholarships based on eligibility for free or reduced lunch. Additional need-based scholarships are available and easy to complete! If you are interested in a need-based scholarship, please answer “yes” to the question “Would you like to fill out a need-based scholarship application?” on the registration form.

Questions?

Complete program information for the ‘25-’26 school year can be found in the Parent Handbook.

 

Additional questions? Please contact register@ithacachildrensgarden.org

Program Details

Who is Garden Sprouts for?

Garden Sprouts is designed for 4- and 5-year-old children who are ready for an afternoon of outdoor play, but not quite ready for After School @ ICG. Children may be in Pre-K, Kindergarten, or neither — school placement is not required for participation. Due to childcare regulations, children currently enrolled in Playful Nature Explorers who are not yet eligible for Kindergarten are not able to participate in Garden Sprouts.

How do children get to the program?

Like After School @ ICG, children may take the bus from their school to Ithaca Children’s Garden. Families who prefer to drop off and pick up their child directly are also welcome to do so.

How big is the group?

Garden Sprouts is intentionally small, with a cohort of up to six children, creating a supportive environment where young explorers can build confidence and feel at ease. Depending on the day’s activities and children’s interests, Garden Sprouts participants may join with After School @ ICG groups for shared play and exploration.

My child is in Kindergarten — how do I know which program is the best fit?

If your child is in Kindergarten and you’re unsure whether Garden Sprouts or After School @ ICG is the right fit, we encourage you to reach out to register@ithacachildrensgarden.org to talk through your child’s needs together.

a child stands holding a metal stick that they use to tap on metal cymbals in the outdoors

Ithaca Children’s Garden welcomes ALL

At Ithaca Children’s Garden, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) are core to how we design our spaces, programs, and experiences. We strive to create a welcoming environment where children and families of diverse identities, backgrounds, and needs can fully participate, feel safe, and belong in nature. Learn more about IDEA at ICG, or submit and accomodations request here.

Contact Us

Questions about enrollment or our programs? Please reach out at register@ithacachildrensgarden.org or call us at 607-319-4203.