Forest Kindergarten offers a special experience for young children

We strongly encourage enrolling a minimum of 3-days per week in Forest K to assure your child experiences the maximum benefit from this unique program and the opportunities it provides. 
Forest Kindergarten offers 3 - 5 year-olds an environment that values play, discovery and fun-filled, active learning in nature.  It's a busy, happy place that builds on young children's natural curiosity and inherent desire to investigate and make meaning of the world around them.

Every day includes time in the Learning Garden, time caring for the animals, opportunities to be creative, to engage in projects, make music, build new friendships and play.  Our days also include hikes to different destinations; the woods, the meadow, the creek or the ponds for seasonally-based activities and playful exploration.   
Forest Kindergarten is a year-long program; children must enroll for the full year which runs Sept - May. 
Click here to read the News & Observer's article  
about Forest Kindergartens and Learning Outside. 
OPEN HOUSE, Saturday, February 1, 10:00 - 12:00!
​Come learn about all of Learning Outside's programs and meet instructors and other families! 
FULL for our 2019 - 2020 year; online registration for 2020 - 2021 opens in March!
Forest Kindergarten 2019 - 2020
3 - 5 year olds (youngsters need to be 3 years old prior to start of program and fully potty-trained)
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9:00 – 12:00. 
Two, three, four or 5-day enrollment option.
September - May
Forest Kindergarten is an exciting experience for young children. It is both active and interactive as they explore the forest, pond, meadows, and creek and make new friends. Children also work and play in our Learning Garden and help care for both our goats and chickens. Opportunities abound to play imaginative games, to make music and create art in addition to a daily expedition to the many fun natural destinations available at Irvin Nature Preserve.
Total Group Size: 15, 1 to 5 ratio