What is Forest Preschool?
This unique preschool program for children ages 3-6 takes place completely outside. Rain or shine, hot or cold we will be in our outdoor classroom. Yes, we do have a nice firepit and tarps strung up between trees to help keep us warm and dry. We believe that spending uninterrupted time outside brings a deep connection to nature, self, and community. Early childhood education is vital to fostering confident, independent learners, with the opportunity to cultivate empathy and positive communication skills and lifelong stewards for the environment. At Fern & Feather we bring education & nature together, allowing for powerful experiences to unfold on a daily basis.
Connection is at the core of our mission. Social emotional development is key to living a connected life and through our emergent and flow style program, your child will begin to understand how they want to ‘be’ in this world. Through this child led learning model, your child will follow what calls to them in the moment. Want to dig in the mud…go for it. How about climb around in the trees…go as high as you can get yourself while having a plan to get back down safely. Want to learn to spell your name…grab some sticks and lets create letters on the ground. Your child will develop their imagination, curiosity and wonder while they explore our 10 acres of beautiful wooded land at the South end of the Philomath Frolic & Rodeo grounds. In addition, they will expand their ability to think critically, resolve conflict, problem solve, move their bodies with confidence, ask for what they need, assess basic risk and many other life skills. All of this happens under the watchful eye of our wonderful facilitators (Go to the ‘About Us’ page for more on these individuals).
This program operates Monday-Friday from 8:30am-12:30pm and follows the basic Corvallis School District Academic calendar.
Please reach out to us with any questions! We look forward to romping through the woods with you!