• Junior Kindergarten is a preschool extension or a stand-alone afternoon program for children ages 4 to 5 (at least 4 years old by August 15).

• Children must arrive dressed for the outdoors with all suggested gear in an appropriate-sized backpack.

• The half-day afternoon program is completely outdoors and primarily focused on learning through play and exploration.

• Priority admission will be given to students enrolled in our forest preschool morning program Mondays Fridays. These students will transition directly to Jr. Kindergarten when forest preschool ends at 12:00pm.

• There are no set lesson plans or a single dedicated curriculum - all learning is seasonal and nature-based, and connected to the children’s daily outdoor discoveries. We incorporate best practices in Early Childhood Education including Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Montessori, and other inspired teaching philosophies to create a holistic approach to education and help children grow their bodies, minds, and hearts.

• Jr. Kindergarten is a play-based early childhood learning program with an emphasis on nature connection, social & emotional development, and healthy communication skills. Through occasional centers and focused activities, projects, or games, early literacy, math, and science skills will be woven into our afternoons together.

• Sample Daily Schedule:

  • 12:00-12:30 Lunch

  • 12:30-1:00 Rest Time

  • 1:00-2:00 Free Play & Explore

  • 2:00-2:45 Forest Activity or Enrichment (hike, music, art, movement, science experiment, etc.)

  • 3:00 PM Pick-up Time

• School Year: August through May with Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring Break, and other major holidays aligned with the Hamilton County School Calendar.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY AND CURRICULUM

Friedrich Fröbel, a German educator, opened the world’s first outdoor “kindergartens” (German for “children’s gardens”) more than 150 years ago. He believed young children should spend their time playing in nature and away from so much emphasis on learning letters and numbers. Today, across Europe, thousands of these “forest kindergartens” have been established where children spend their entire class time outdoors year-round.

Forest Kindergarten is play-based and allows children to develop their skills and habits over time and at their own pace. Children learn naturally to be self-motivated, cooperative, respectful, grateful, and aware of their impact on the earth. Children experience outdoor adventures in all weather conditions. The Forest Kindergarten is made as safe as is reasonably possible, in order to facilitate children’s risk-taking. It provides a complete immersion in nature helping to build a child’s sense of place in the world.

Research strongly supports the idea that young children, particularly ages 3-6, learn best through direct experiences with the world around them. Being outdoors provides them with not only fresh air, but it also encourages imaginative play, creativity, hand-eye coordination and balance, physical strength and mental clarity. By tapping into their innate sense of wonder about nature, we can help children learn basic environmental and natural science principles, as well as respect for all living beings. Lessons flow organically from the natural rhythms of the seasons and from the children’s daily discoveries. There are no set lesson plans: each day is shaped by the animals, insects, birds, amphibians, weather and foraging that is encountered, providing spontaneous teachable moments.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Children must be able to follow directions carefully, show respect towards other children and their teachers and be able to communicate effectively. Children must be completely toilet-proficient (potty-trained) in order to attend. If a child is not able to independently use the restroom and manage their own clothing, they are not ready for this outdoor program.

DRESSING APPROPRIATELY

Appropriate clothing for Forest Junior Kindergarten is CRITICAL to the success of the program. “There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing choices.” Clothing guidelines are available in the parent handbook.

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

Occasional weekend or special events will be planned at Wauhatchie Forest School to provide a continuation of the school experience for the entire family.