Learning Outside
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Directions to Site
    • Annual Report 2019
    • Annual Report 2018
    • Our Beginnings
    • News from the Outdoors
    • Tales from the Trails Blog
  • Programs
    • Program Overview
    • Forest Kindergarten
    • After School Nature Clubs
    • Trekkers
    • Summer Camps
    • Learning-in-Nature Camps
    • Calendar
  • Staff
    • Our Instructors
    • Administrative Staff
    • Meet Our Chickens
    • Meet Our Goats
    • Job Opportunities
  • Events
    • Hike to Help! MARCH
    • Meadow Lark! APRIL
  • Scholarships
  • Donate
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer
    • Partner
    • Become a Donor

Forest Kindergarten offers a special experience for young children

Learning Outside, Trailblazers
Program Rates 2021-2022
COVID-19 Protocols
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. 
Register for Morning Session - FULL
Register for Afternoon Session


Forest Kindergarten
3 - 5 year olds 
Youngsters must be 3 years old by March 31st and fully potty-trained. This program also includes older 5-year-old kindergarten-aged youngsters who will turn 6 years old in the fall.
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9:00 – 12:00 OR 12:15 - 3:15. 
Three, four or 5-day enrollment option.
September - May
Forest Kindergarten is an exciting program that serves both preschool-aged and kindergarten-aged youngsters. It offers children a learning experience that is both active and interactive as children 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

All photographs copyright by Wendy B Banning