Forest Kindergarten offers a special experience for young children

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. 
Parent Information Session Saturday, February 20th 2:30PM - 3:30PM 
Email shelby@learningoutside.org to register; please include the following information in your email: name(s) and number of adults attending, program of interest, questions you are hoping to have answered
Parent Information Session February 20th from 2:30 - 3:30
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Online registration for our 2021 - 2022 program year will go live at 2:00PM on March 1st. 
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 olds who turn 6 years old in the fall.
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9:00 – 12:00. 
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