Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten is a "rain or shine" outdoor preschool/kindergarten in the greater Boulder area for children ages 3 to 6, and children 0-3 in our Parent/Tot program. We are inspired by the Waldkindergartens and Forest Schools of Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Finland, where children spend the early years of their education in entirely outdoor settings.
There are enormous benefits for children who attend forest kindergartens, ranging from social-emotional and sensory-motor health, to a richly developed sense of place, and active imaginations.When observed, these children convey an empowerment uncommon for their age, and a contentment that will make anyone "run for the forest".
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- School Type: Early Childhood / Day Care
- Grades: Nursery/Preschool-Prekindergarten
- Enrollment: 12 students
- Yearly Tuition: $10,743
- Acceptance rate: 90%
- Average class size: 8 students
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-Prekindergarten
Year Founded
2017
Student Body
Total Students
12 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
2 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
6:1
National avg.: 13:1
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
75%
Average Class Size
8 students
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$10,743
Acceptance Rate
90%
National avg.: 85%
Admissions Director
Elizabeth Uhrich
School Notes
- What do you do at Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten?
- We are a "rain or shine", entirely outdoor preschool/kindergarten, which means that we spend our days outside exploring the natural world. We allow the children the freedom to play outside, because we strongly believe that this is what our young children need to be doing. Being outside in nature is developmentally appropriate, calming for our nervous systems, rich in learning opportunities, good for the health of our mind and bodies, and deeply enriching for our spirits. Since we eat snack together, we ask that all children bring a healthy and satisfying snack and a water bottle. As we are cultivating awareness and compassion for the natural world, we ask that all food be packed in re-useable containers.
- Do you have a curriculum?
- During our day-by-day immersion in the natural world, we offer an interest-based learning environment, in which our inquiries as teachers are inspired by the explorations and discoveries of the children. When allowed to be free to explore the natural world, over the course of a long period of time, children naturally develop a relationship with the landscape and the living things which surround them, whether they be humans, animals or plants - and, as a result, they feel at home in "the woods". To give our children this gift of a deep connection with nature, is to give them a foundation of compassion, cooperation and curiosity. This foundation can only be formed through an unstructured immersion in nature.
- What does a typical morning look like?
- Our typical morning will include a flow:beginning with morning circle (greetings, song, movement, talk about the day)and then unstructured time in the forest with occasional "provocations" set up by teachers that will include different tools/materials to pique the children's interest, based on the overall focus of the group at any give time (ex: group is fascinated by mud, teachers set up buckets, shovels and bins of water near a dirt patch)hearty snacktime and story time, in keeping with emergent curriculum (ex: children notice hawk family living in a tree, so we read a book about the lives of hawks at snacktime)unstructured time in the forest or building a fire on chilly days, or storytelling or occasional craft inside the teepee for rainy days, taking a farm walk, doing an obstacle course, etc...closing circle reflecting on the day. Our teachers utilize inquiry based learning, which means that they more quickly ask questions of the children, rather than offering facts. We emphasize emergent curriculum, which is based on the interests of the children, naturally emerging from each day. We also prioritize unstructured time in nature, as this is what allows each child to form a relationship with the natural world that isn't mediated and formulaic.
- Are you ever closed because of inclement weather?
- Your child's safety is of the utmost importance to us. In general, we go outside no matter what the weather is doing, in keeping with the saying, "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing." We require that all parents dress their children in weather-appropriate clothing, which, on some days, might include long underwear, waterproof pants, snow gear, etc... (We provide detailed clothing instructions in our family packets.)We are also a hats-on program, which means that we wear sun hats when it's sunny and warm hats when it's chilly. Only in extreme weather, such as during a severe thunderstorm or when wind chill or heat index advisories or warnings are being issued, does the school close. We also close if BVSD or SVVSD closes.
- Is there an available shelter for the children?
- Beginning Fall 2018, a small cabin will be installed on the land in our main field trip location. This cabin will serve as a shelter during unexpected inclement weather, as well as an afternoon gathering spot for those children who are joining us for full days. Complete with a pot-bellied stove and plenty of charm!
- Who can join the program?
- We welcome children ages 3 to 6 and homeschoolers ages 3 to 7.If your child has a special need that you feel requires additional teacher support, please contact us to discuss possibilities, and to see whether our program will be a good fit.
- Who are the teachers?
- We have been inspired by Erin Kenny, founder of theCedarsong Forest Kindergartenin Washington, in our definition of the ideal Forest Kindergarten teacher. To this end, we are forming our list of candidates, based on the following qualities (many can be found inForest Kindergartens: The Cedarsong Wayby Erin Kenny)
- Cheerfulness, no matter the weather or circumstances
- A caring and respectful attitude towards the natural world
- Possessing a naturalist sensibility, with a commitment to an ongoing pursuit of knowledge of the natural world
- Familiar with an inquiry-based teaching style, which lends itself to eager student participation and rich conversations
- Kind!Modeling and emphasizing good manners and politeness, using positive reinforcement
- Not needing to be the center of attention, allowing for naturally arising social interactions between the children, while staying present
- Committed to self-care and ongoing inner work, with the understanding that children necessarily imitate the adults around them, so we must be worthy of imitating
- Committed to ongoing teacher training and education, interested in continued exploration of the Forest Kindergarten model, Naturalist studies and Early Childhood Education
- All of our staff have received training or education as a Naturalist, or in Nature Connection through an organization such as theWilderness Awareness School, and additionally are certified in the following:Wilderness First Aid or CPR & First Aid, Standard Precautions
- All staff have been background checked and fingerprinted.
- When does the program operate?
- Our 2017/2018 program will run from August 28, 2017-May 24, 2018, during the typical school year. We are closed for all major holidays, and for winter and spring break, and if BVSD or SVVSD closes for inclement weather, so do we. We offer programming Monday-Friday, 8:30am-12:30pm and 12:30-4pm, as well as 4-5pm Aftercare.
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten cost?
Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten's tuition is approximately $10,743 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten?
The acceptance rate of Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten is 90%, which is lower than the national average of 91%.
When is the application deadline for Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten?
The application deadline for Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
Nearby Private Schools
The nearest high school and elementary school to Wee Folk Forest Kindergarten is Dawson School (1.1 miles away)
The nearest preschool is Blue Mountain Montessori (2.2 miles away)
Show me:
School
Location
Miles
Grades
Students
Grades: K-12 | 515 students 1.1 miles 10455 Dawson Drive
Lafayette, CO 80026
(303) 665-6679
Lafayette, CO 80026
(303) 665-6679
1.1
K-12
515
Blue Mountain Montessori
Montessori School
Grades: PK-K | 45 students 2.2 miles 201 S Briggs St
Erie, CO 80516
(303) 339-0117
Erie, CO 80516
(303) 339-0117
2.2
PK-K
45
Grades: PK-K | 30 students 3.1 miles 2687 Northpark Dr
Lafayette, CO 80026
(303) 928-9990
Lafayette, CO 80026
(303) 928-9990
3.1
PK-K
30
Primrose School Of Lafayette
Daycare / Preschool
Grades: NS-K | 67 students 3.2 miles 411 Homestead St
Lafayette, CO 80026
(770) 529-4100
Lafayette, CO 80026
(770) 529-4100
3.2
NS-K
67
Treehouse Learning
Daycare / Preschool
Grades: PK-K | 120 students 3.9 miles 175 N 96th St
Louisville, CO 80027
(303) 666-1950
Louisville, CO 80027
(303) 666-1950
3.9
PK-K
120
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