Parent- Child

This class offers a wonderful opportunity for toddlers and their caregivers to come together for play, nature exploration, art projects, storytelling, and community building. These guided mornings and playful interactions not only help children develop but also allow parents to connect with others who are in a similar season of life. It's a chance to build a supportive community, share experiences, and create lasting memories in a beautiful setting. 

  • For children 1-3 yrs with caregiver

  • Weekly guided forest walks

  • Songs, stories/puppet shows, art, and open-ended play

  • Supportive space for parent connection and community building

  • Daily bread baking, tea, and wholesome snack

  • Mondays, 9am -11am

  • ​$540 for a three month semester

Our Daily Rhythms

A gentle forest school experience for toddlers and their caregivers, guided by a simple daily rhythm.

Meadow Play

Outdoor Circle

Nature Walk
Forest Play

Indoor circle
Bread baking
Puppet show

Conversation + indoor play
Tea and wholesome snack

The Land

Forest and Meadow

Our children have access to a secluded and private forest sanctuary, where nature's wonders await around every corner. We follow winding trails that lead through the lush canopy, revealing hidden treasures at every turn. Among towering trees, ancient nursery logs provide a glimpse into the forest's rich history, while a vast meadow invites moments of quiet contemplation beneath the open sky. In this enchanting haven, surrounded by the whispers of the woods, serenity and beauty converge to create an unforgettable retreat into nature's embrace.

Our Program Pillars

Land-Centred Education

The land is our primary teacher. We spend our days playing and learning from the Earth. We encourage deep listening, observations, question-asking, and experimentation. Children form meaningful connections by entering into direct relationship with the land. This tangible bond fosters a deep sense of identity and belonging and desire to safeguard and protect. Together we honor and give thanks to the land and demonstrate an ethos of stewardship.

Daily Nature Immersion

Our program includes a balance of guided and self-directed nature immersion, including teacher-led hikes, self-guided exploration, open-ended play, and movement games that encourage children to come into relationship with the natural world. Our forest adventures provide children with a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate our unique local ecosystems. We build resilience and grit by learning how to navigate challenging weather and terrain.

Social-Emotional Learning

Our teachers take time to acknowledge the little moments of kindness, teamwork, and resilience that make each day special. With gentle guidance, we help our young learners navigate challenges and stay safe, happy, and caring. Children not only build confidence but also develop a strong sense of self-worth and personal boundaries. We also weave in GRUB’s Tend, Gather, Grow curriculum, turning to our native and naturalized plants as guides.

Storytelling and Art

We believe that stories and art are powerful gateways for understanding and engaging with our wild and wonderful world. Our stories and puppet plays are intentionally selected or mindfully crafted with beautiful language, living images and seasonal themes. Children are given ample opportunities to develop their own voices and self-expression through activities such as painting, drawing, singing, listening to and telling stories.

Play and Curiosity

Children engage with and make sense of the world through play. Self-directed play allows children to get creative and solve problems, practice interpersonal skills, and build self-confidence. At times, our teachers take a more active role in planning, observing and guiding play and exploration. We look for emergent opportunities to co-create learning experiences with the children and the land. Through outdoor play, children learn how to overcome manageable challenges, navigate healthy risk, and understand personal safety. 

Holistic Nourishment

We take a holistic approach to nourishment, ensuring all aspects of our program support the development of the whole child. Nourished children are happy children ready for a day filled with learning and play! We offer a balanced menu with healthy snacks and lunch. We source organic ingredients from the Olympia Food Co-op and local farmers, ensuring fresh and wholesome homemade goodness. We also teach respectful foraging for native plants to be used in seasonal teas and treats.

FAQs

What is the Parent-Child program? What ages does the Parent-Child program serve?

Our Parent-Child program is a nature-based class for children and their parent or caregiver. Together you'll explore our forested meadow, participate in seasonal activities, sing, tell stories, and build early connections with the natural world — all in a gentle, unhurried rhythm.

The program is designed for children approximately ages 1–3. Some families join as early as 12–14 months and stay through age 3 before transitioning to preschool. As long as children are 3 upon enrollment they are welcome.

Why is the caregiver present?

At this age, children learn and regulate through close relationship with a trusted adult. Having a parent or caregiver present allows children to take risks, explore freely, and return to a secure base. It also gives caregivers a chance to connect with other families and observe their child in a rich play environment.

When does the Parent-Child program meet?

Parent-Child classes meet on Mondays from 9-11am, in Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters.

What does a typical Parent-Child class look like? Are classes outdoors?

Our Parent-Child classes begin with outdoor free play in the meadow and forest. Children and caregivers explore together — digging, climbing, discovering. Then we transition into our yurt for circle with seasonal songs and verses, a puppet play, bread baking, before tea and conversation while the children play indoors. We end the day with a wholesome snack (provided).

We spend about half of our time outside, in all weather. Rain and mud are celebrated, not avoided!

What should we wear? Do we need special gear?

Please dress both yourself and your child for the outdoors! Layers are essential. Waterproof rain gear, sturdy boots, warm base layers in colder months, and sun protection in warmer weather allow everyone to thrive outside. We provide a detailed gear guide upon enrollment.

Do you offer site tours or trial days?

As a small two-person teaching team, we are not able to offer ongoing site tours or trial days, as these are disruptive to our school rhythm and our currently enrolled children.

However, we do offer two detailed video walk-throughs on our website that share the feeling of the land, the yurt, and our daily flow. Many families find these incredibly helpful.

What happens if we miss a day? Do you offer make up days or refunds?

We ask that you send us a quick text or email to let us know of your absence.

Tuition is not prorated for absences, illnesses, family travel or scheduled school breaks. This holds your child’s spot and sustains our small program. If an extended situation creates a real hardship please reach out directly. Make up days are not offered.

How much does the program cost? Do you offer sibling discounts?

Our Parent-Child program costs $540 per quarter. You may choose to pay in full at the beginning of the quarter or monthly ($180/month for 3 months). We offer a 15% off sibling discount.

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