What is a Forest School?
The Forest School concept is one in which children experience “regular and repeated access to the same natural space, as well as emergent, experiential, inquiry-based, play-based, and place-based learning”(MacEachren, 2013). The defining feature of this type of nature-based education program is that children are provided with opportunities to build an on-going relationship with the land, to a dedicated educator/mentor, to one another, and to themselves through this unique educational approach.
Our forest school was started by Cedarsong Nature School certified teacher, Kathy Packer. Kathy has been teaching early childhood education and Montessori Method for almost 30 years. She has a passion for nature-based child education, and she helps us implement Montessori educational philosophy into our Forest School program.
How old does my child have to be to participate in Forest School?
At least 3 years old and all children must be potty-trained. Younger children can attend, but must be accompanied by a parent.
What is the ratio of adults to children?
Our ratio is 1 adult to 5 children. The maximum number of children for the program is 15.
What are the ages for children to attend?
- Ages 3 to 12 on Mondays – Fridays, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Children enrolled in the co-op’s Montessori + Forest School program eat lunch at the Montessori facility and are transported to the daily Forest School site. Parents need to pick up their children at the Montessori by 4:30pm, unless otherwise arranged.
What is the cost of the program?
Cost is $18/day/child, or $360/month/child. Daily rate is billed at the beginning of the week on Mondays after the parents have determined their schedule for the week, and monthly rates are billed the first of every month. Checks are payable to Star Valley Montessori.
What will my child do each day?
Children enrolled in our Forest School are given the opportunity to interact with nature through free play, creative play, an outdoor campfire, knots, magic spots (sit spots), nature stories and songs, gardening and identifying flora and fauna. We allow children to explore muddy puddles and shallow streams, and work with natural resources. On days where it is simply too cold to play outside the entire afternoon, the children will be brought inside to continue nature-based studies and activities at the Star Valley Montessori Family Co-op’s facility. Curriculum is developed by Kathy, who is a certified nature-school teacher by Cedarsong Nature School, and parent mentors will also lead activities and teach the children.
How is the day structured at Forest School?
The Forest School approach happens over time but has a structured, yet relaxed atmosphere. Our Forest
School mentors focus on what the children can do; thus building self-confidence, self-esteem, and
autonomy within a shared, collaborative, and caring environment. The children discover nature
through open ended play activities employing natural resources. Children learn in a way that is age
appropriate and personalized. The shape of the day will start with arrival and afternoon welcome, as well
as invitations to open ended natural play. Mentors will organically work in nature-based curriculum and activities as the children’s direction leads the group. We will focus on flora and fauna native to Wyoming and our local forests.
What kind of natural environments will my child be engaging in?
Every session will consist of an afternoon adventure into a forest, park, meadow, open play area or garden
setting, as weather permits. We will set out to our destination to explore for the day at the beginning of each week. We will plant, play, make-believe, do art, make music, dance, sing, read and share stories, create, run and jump in puddles, collect natural curiosities, learn practical skills, observe wildlife, scoop and pour, build, laugh, and wonder.
What if I need to get in touch with one of the teachers during the program?
If there is ever a need to pick up your child early, or any other emergency, the program leaders carry a
cell phone to communicate with the “outside world”, as well as two-way radios that allow them to stay
in direct contact with each other. Sometimes cell service is unavailable at some of our local Star Valley locations, but parents will be notified of the location their child(ren) are located at the beginning of the week.
Who are the adults that will be running the program?
Our parent and specialty mentors will observe the children and keep them within eye sight at all times. All mentors are First Aid Certified and have passed a background check.
What will happen in inclement weather?
Our program, as much as possible is held outside. In the event of severe weather (thunderstorms, heavy
rain, high winds, extreme colds or snowstorms) a fully-functional indoor classroom is available at Star Valley Montessori Family Co-op.
Where do I drop my child off, and pick them up?
Pick-up and drop-off will be in a designated drop-off area/trail head. Mentors will be there to meet parents at the beginning and end of daily program. If your child is part of the Star Valley Montessori Family Co-op’s full-day preschool program, then they will be transported by a qualified parent mentor or Kathy.
What if my child needs to use the bathroom while outside?
We are usually not within reasonable distance to bathrooms. Children will need to be able to go poop and potty outside on their own. The mentors can provide toilet paper and sanitizer to the children.
What does my child need to bring to Forest School?
Forest school can be miserable and dangerous without the proper gear. However, when children are fully equipped with the proper gear, there’s no such thing as bad weather.
You will need to bring items for your child such as a change of clothes, energy sustaining snacks, water bottle, rain suit, bug and/or sun protection. Mentors can help apply bug spray and sunscreen as needed if provided by the parents, but parents can apply the products to the children before drop-off. In the winter months, children need to have their snow pants, snow boots, snow gloves, hats, etc. Boots need to be appropriate for the weather for the entire 3 hours.
We highly encourage parents to actively pay attention to the weather and asses their child’s gear needs. If you have questions on what gear is appropriate for the day, contact Kathy. On the rare occasion Forest School needs to be held inside, we will notify the parents the morning of. If the weather “feels like” 10 degrees or less, we will plan on indoor Forest School. A copy of the Wyoming Child Care Weather Watch chart is a great resource.
Oaki provides AMAZING waterproof rain suits, boots and gloves for children and adults. We highly recommend buying the rain suits one size larger so it will fit over the child’s snow clothes. Our Forest School provides a discount for Oaki products. Bogs boots are also highly recommended.
How do you ensure the safety of each group?
The environment in which we work is risk assessed prior to any activities taking place in order to make
the space as safe as necessary rather than as safe as possible. Age appropriate risk taking is encouraged
at Forest School so as to educate children to manage their own abilities and gauge safety.
Outdoor campfires are a fun winter activity at Forest School. We approach fire activities responsibly and safely, starting with the lighting of a very small fire until children become accustomed to choice of fire site,
components required to starting a fire, appropriate selection of tinder, kindling, lighting, maintenance,
and building. Ongoing interactions are aimed at developing a healthy respect for fire and fire use.
Star Valley Forest School is operated by the parents of Star Valley Montessori Family Co-op
Star Valley Montessori 