kids carrying log at forest kindergarten

"Eden acres has been a lifesaver for us, especially during Covid! I wasn’t sure if my six-year-old was going to be OK being outside the whole day, but she loves it because the programs are so great. She comes home every time with stories about the forest and our ecosystem. We also love that she’s able to interact with kids from different age groups. I highly recommend the program at EdenAcres!"

"My child comes home from Eden Acres beaming, every time! His eyes sparkle as he tells me about their days adventure. Fostering a deep connection with nature is of utmost importance to us, something Eden Acres is pro at doing! We love it!"

FOREST KINDERGARTEN

Children are intrinsically motivated to learn. They do so though play and exploring the world around them. At EdenAcres Forest Kindergarten, we foster a child’s natural sense of wonder as we gently move between instructor-led and child-driven play and activities. Academic concepts of numeracy, literacy, culture, and science are seamlessly integrated into our daily rhythms.

We have chosen the forest as our classroom because research shows that experiences in nature are essential for the healthy growth and development of children. Abundant time in natural settings yields long term benefits in children’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. On top of all that, nature is the perfect place to learn about the world we live in. The natural world provides the living context in which to learn about cycles, interdependence, energy and resources, scale and limits, diversity, succession, and sustainability. At Forest Kindergarten children can explore the natural world, learn to ask relevant questions, develop problem-solving skills & processes for thinking and searching for answers, & learn how to live, work, & communicate cooperatively.

When:

Fall and Spring Semesters

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

9:00 am-3:00 pm

We offer flexible enrollment options to meet your families unique needs. Whether you are using our programs as a supplement to your homeschool adventure or as a primary part of your child's learning, we have an option for you. Enroll in 1, 2, 3, or 4 days per week. Select a single semster (16 weeks) or full year (32 weeks) enrollment option.

Dates:

Fall Semester: 9/13/21 - 1/28/22

(16 weeks, Fall break November 22-26; Winter break December 13-December 31)

Spring Semester: 1/31/22 - 5/27/22

(16 weeks, Spring break March 28-April 1)

Where:

16528 Johnson Road, Hillsboro, OR 97124 (use this link for forest school entrance)

How Much?

Fall Semester:

1 day/week for 16 week session- $1,400

2 days/week for 16 week session - $2,800

3 days/week for 16 week session - $4,200

4 days/week for 16 week session - $5,600

Spring Semester:

1 day/week for 16 week session- $1,400

2 days/week for 16 week session - $2,800

3 days/week for 16 week session - $4,200

4 days/week for 16 week session - $5,600

Discounts:

Sibling Discounts 2nd child 5% / 3rd child 10%

5% off for full-year enrollment & 50% deposit on tuition

$50 off for payments made via check

Scholarships:

Scholarships are available. Please complete the scholarship application here.

If you are able, please consider donating to the scholarship fund to help those in need to attend forest school!

Daily Rhythm**

8:30 - 8:55 Drop-off

9:15 - 9:45 Morning Circle, Movement Activity, & Games

9:45 - 10:25 Nature-based Project & Exploration

10:30 - 11:30 Snack & Free Play

11:30 - 12:25 Inquiry Project/Handwork/Craft

12:30 - 2:00 Lunch & Free Play

2:00 - 2:30 Story-time with Blankets & Books

2:45 - 3:00 Clean-up & Closing Circle

3:00 - 3:30 Pick-up

**The daily rhythm described above is an example of the flow of the day. Instructors practice emergent and child-centered learning, meaning that we adjust and modify with the changing needs and interests of the children while incorporating in whatever the forest or farm has to offer on that specific day.

Our Staff

Instructors come from a variety of backgrounds including education and natural sciences. No matter their educational background, all are experienced and passionate about sharing nature with children. Instructors are certified in CPR/First Aid and epipen administration. Staff ratios are no larger than 7 students with 1 teacher. All adults in the program have passed full background checks.

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