Frequently Asked Questions
Want to read a parent perspective on what it's like at Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten? Click here.
Read about our Philosophy & Approach here.
What do you do at Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten?
We are a "rain or shine", entirely outdoor preschool/kindergarten, which means that we spend our days outside exploring the natural world. We strongly believe that this is what our young children need to be doing! Being outside in nature is developmentally appropriate, calming for our nervous systems, rich in learning opportunities, good for the health of our mind and bodies, and deeply enriching for our spirits.
Since we eat snack together, we ask that all children bring a healthy and satisfying snack and a water bottle. As we are cultivating awareness and compassion for the natural world, we ask that all food be packed in re-useable containers.
Do you have a curriculum?
Due to a change in licensing requirements, our program is now structured as single-subject offerings for children ages 2 1/2 to 6. Please see below for the class sessions we are offering for the 2022-2023 school year. In keeping with the pedagogy of approaches such as Reggio Emilia and democratic free schools, we value the voice of the child and will always incorporate their brilliant and naturally emerging curiosities into all class curriculum. When offered rich provocations, children naturally lean into the questions we are all asking, and in this way we build upon concepts, allowing learning to emerge. Curiosity is the guide, and we believe nature is the best teacher.
The classes we offer are inspired by the explorations and discoveries of the children over the first five years we spent at Wee Folk forest together (2017-2022). When allowed to be free to explore the natural world, over the course of a long period of time, children naturally develop a relationship with the landscape and the living things which surround them, whether they be humans, animals or plants - and, as a result, they feel at home in "the woods". To give our children this gift of a deep connection with nature, is to give them a foundation of compassion, cooperation and curiosity. This foundation can only be formed through immersion in nature.
What does a typical class look like?
A typical class will include a flow:
beginning with a community circle (greetings, make a plan together, read a related book, etc…)
and then class time in the forest with "provocations" set up by teachers that will include different tools/materials to pique the children's interest, based on the session focus
hearty snacktime/lunchtime and story time, in keeping with class curriculum
“adventures” to support class inquiry will take place at any time, and could include climbing log piles to find bugs, hiking to see birds or bird nests from a higher vantage point, quiet observations in a meadow, etc… depending on the class topic.
closing circle reflecting on the day
Our teachers utilize inquiry based learning, which means that they more quickly ask questions of the children to foster their powers of curiosity, rather than offering facts.
Are you ever closed because of inclement weather?
Your child's safety is of the utmost importance to us. In general, we go outside no matter what the weather is doing, in keeping with the saying, "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing." We require that all parents dress their children in weather-appropriate clothing, which, on some days, might include long underwear, waterproof pants, snow gear, etc... (We provide detailed clothing instructions in our family packets.) We are also a hats-on program, which means that we wear sun hats when it's sunny and warm hats when it's chilly. Only in extreme weather, such as during a severe thunderstorm or when wind chill advisories or warnings are being issued, does the school close. We also close if BVSD or SVVSD closes. Click here for a helpful Child Care Weather Watch chart.
Who can join the program?
We welcome children ages 2 1/2 to 6. If your child has a special need that you feel requires additional teacher support, please contact us to discuss possibilities, and to see whether our program will be a good fit. Please note that we do require children to be potty trained before entering our program. We understand that there’s a learning curve for potty training, so please ask us if you think your child might not be quite ready.
Who are the teachers?
We have been inspired by Erin Kenny, founder of the Cedarsong Forest Kindergarten in Washington, in our definition of the ideal Forest Kindergarten teacher. To this end, we are forming our list of candidates, based on the following qualities (many can be found in Forest Kindergartens: The Cedarsong Way by Erin Kenny)
Cheerfulness, no matter the weather or circumstances
A caring and respectful attitude towards the natural world
Possessing a naturalist sensibility, with a commitment to an ongoing pursuit of knowledge of the natural world
Familiar with an inquiry-based teaching style, which lends itself to eager student participation and rich conversations
Kind! Modeling and emphasizing good manners and politeness, using positive reinforcement
Not needing to be the center of attention, allowing for naturally arising social interactions between the children, while staying present
Committed to self-care and ongoing inner work, with the understanding that children necessarily imitate the adults around them, so we must be worthy of imitating
Committed to ongoing teacher training and education, interested in continued exploration of the Forest Kindergarten model, Naturalist studies and Early Childhood Education
All of our staff have received training or education as a Naturalist, or in Nature Connection or the Art of Mentoring through an organization such as the Wilderness Awareness School, and additionally are certified in the following:
Wilderness First Aid or CPR & First Aid, Standard Precautions
All staff have been background checked and fingerprinted.
When does the program operate?
Our 2022-2023 program will run from August 22, 2022 through May 26, 2023, during the typical school year. We are closed for all major holidays, and for winter and spring break, and if BVSD or SVVSD closes for inclement weather, so do we. We offer programming five days per week from 8:30am-3:30pm. Please view our school year calendar, complete with family events here. Please note we often run holiday camps over Thanksgiving, Winter Break and Spring Break, depending upon available staffing.
Are there basic guiding principles for all Forest Kindergartens/Schools?
Forest Schools follow 6 basic principles (from Forest School Association of the UK):
Principle 1: Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
Principle 2: Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners
Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
Principle 5: Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
Principle 6: Forest School uses a range of learner-centered processes to create a community for development and learning