Parent Information

Preparing for Forest Play School

Forest Play School is an outdoor program, and our time together is spent exploring, playing, creating, observing, and learning from the natural world around us. Because we spend our days outside, being prepared for the weather and the conditions is an important part of having a good experience.

Please send your child dressed appropriately for the day's weather and ready to walk, explore, get messy, and enjoy being outdoors.

What to Bring:

Weather-appropriate clothing
Please check the weather before each session and dress your child accordingly. Layers are often helpful as temperatures can change throughout the day.

Rain gear
We don't want a little rain to keep us from exploring! On wet days, children should bring a rain jacket or poncho and rubber boots.

Sturdy outdoor shoes
Our adventures may take us over uneven, muddy, or wooded terrain, so comfortable shoes appropriate for outdoor exploration are important.

Water bottle
Please send your child with a filled water bottle for our time outdoors.

Binoculars or a monocular
A small pair of binoculars or a monocular is highly recommended. These can make bird watching and observing wildlife even more exciting. Please label personal items with your child's name.

Most importantly, please send your child prepared to be outdoors, ready to notice things, ask questions, get a little dirty, and have an adventure.

Registration & Supply Fee

A $50 registration and supply fee is required to complete registration and hold your child's place in Forest Play School.

This fee helps cover the materials your child will use throughout the term, including art supplies, ground cloths, handouts, and a nature journal that your child will take home at the end of the term.

Your child's spot is not held until registration and payment of the $50 fee have been completed.

Pick-Up Policy

We want to end our Forest Play School days as peacefully as we begin them, and we appreciate families making every effort to arrive on time.

There is a five-minute grace period at pick-up. After the five-minute grace period, a $5 late fee will be charged for every additional five minutes of late pick-up. We ask that families plan accordingly so we can honor our teachers' time and maintain a peaceful end to our Forest Play School day.

Thank you for helping us make Forest Play School a wonderful experience for your child, and for giving them the opportunity to spend meaningful, unhurried time outdoors.

A Few Things to Know

Come Ready for the Outdoors

Forest Play School happens outdoors, and we encourage children to embrace the experience. Expect dirt, mud, grass, water, bugs, and all the wonderful little surprises that come with exploring nature. Please send children in clothing and shoes that you don't mind getting dirty.

Sun & Insect Protection

Please apply sunscreen and insect repellent before arriving when appropriate for the season. You are welcome to send additional sunscreen or insect repellent with your child if they need it reapplied during the day.

Bathrooms

Please make sure your child uses the restroom before class begins. We will have access to restroom facilities, but our time together is primarily spent outdoors and away from indoor facilities.

Allergies & Special Considerations

Please let us know during registration about any allergies, environmental sensitivities, or other information that would be important for us to know in caring for your child. We want to understand your child's needs and help them have a safe and enjoyable experience.

When Your Child Is Sick

Please keep your child home if they are sick or experiencing symptoms that could be contagious. We want to protect the health of all the children and teachers in our Forest Play School community.

Weather

We believe there is wonderful learning to be found in all kinds of weather, and many of our activities will continue in light rain. However, the safety of our children and teachers always comes first. If severe weather or unsafe conditions require us to cancel or modify a session, families will be notified as soon as possible.

A Little Independence Goes a Long Way

Forest Play School is designed to give children opportunities to explore, make discoveries, solve problems, and become more confident in the outdoors. We encourage children to try things for themselves, ask questions, make observations, and take appropriate risks while exploring their environment.

Our goal is not to keep children perfectly clean, perfectly still, or perfectly on task. Our goal is to give them the freedom to experience the natural world with curiosity, confidence, and wonder.

Communication

If you have questions, concerns, or something you'd like us to know about your child, please don't hesitate to reach out. Good communication between families and teachers helps us create the best possible experience for everyone.