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Forest Preschool

Little Wonders Nature Preschool

Little Wonders Nature Preschool
Ages 3-5

Little Wonders is a half-day program for little learners ages 3-5 that complements the home routine.  At EdenAcres farm campus, children can transition slowly into an educational setting where nature is their first teacher!  From petting farm animals to walking through the forest and watching seedlings grow in the school garden, our outdoor learning spaces nourish the foundational senses.   

Our program is designed to nurture every aspect of a young child’s development. We provide a tender and supportive environment that encourages learning through play and exploration, while promoting social-emotional development and self-expression.

 

Each day the children will experience hands-on activities that support sensory integration and thriving in the elements.  We have found that children can be successful in all weather with the proper gear, and our instructors are prepared to make sure your child is comfortable and confident in their nature classroom so they will love learning outdoors!
 

We create a setting where children can grow into citizens of the world; respecting all cultures, creatures, and environments. Our curriculum emerges from each child’s unique needs and aptitudes that provide children with the skills they need to be prepared for kindergarten. Children learn to self-regulate and navigate interactions with friends and others. Instructors “follow the child,” learning and responding each child’s uniqueness. We maintain a high child to staff ratio so children have more opportunities for meaningful interaction. At EdenAcres, we create an atmosphere where children can explore the natural world, learn to ask relevant questions, develop problem-solving skills, and learn how to live, work, and communicate cooperatively.

We celebrate that children learn through hands-on and minds-on experiences by providing opportunities each day for your child to select, explore, and practice skills. What may look like “just play” to an adult is a child actively learning. Through play, a child develops problem solving, social skills, self-regulation, language skills, and motor skills. 

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Daily Rhythm**

9:00 - 9:15   Drop-off & Morning Table Activity

9:15 - 9:30   Play Exploration

9:30 - 9:45   Morning Circle

9:45 - 10:00   Morning Animal Care

10:00 - 10:30  Snack 

10:30 - 11:15  Forest Exploration/Ancestral Skills/Story/Craft/Activity 

11:15 - 12:00  Lunch

12:00 - 12:15  Pick-Up

 

**The daily rhythm described above is an example of the flow of the day.  We structure the day to balance guided learning times with child-centered exploration to meet the curiosity of all the children.  

 

Our Staff

Our instructors are early childhood trained teachers from a variety of backgrounds including Waldorf education. All are experienced and passionate about sharing nature with children. Instructors are certified in CPR/First Aid and epipen administration. Staff ratios for Little Wonders are no larger than 6(?) students with 1 teacher. All adults in the program have passed full background checks.

When:

Fall and Spring Semesters   

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

9:00 am-12:00 pm (pickup 12:00 - 12:15)

Dates:  

Fall Semester: 9/12/23 - 1/25/24

First day of fall semester: Monday, September 11


Spring Semester: 1/30/24 - 5/23/24

First day of spring semester: January 30, 2024

View the School Calendar here! 

Where:

54303 NW Old Wilson River Road, Gales Creek 

How Much?

This year, we will offer a Choose-Your-Tuition model that includes three models to choose from: Sliding Scale; Standard Rate; and Pay-It-Forward. Click here to learn more!

 

We are choosing to shift towards a sliding scale model because Equity in Education is one of our core values. We are using this model as a means of increasing access to alternative education and as a tool of economic justice. We invite you to join us in this vision of a better, more equitable world! 

sliding scale tuition
nature preschool
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