Children ages 3-6 yrs old may enroll in the Preschool Program that runs Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., September through June.
Our preschool is a blend of Nature Preschool, Forest Kindergarten, and Place-Based Learning, which is experienced outdoors regardless of the weather. Options are available to attend anywhere from one to all four days of school, though a year-long (September to June) commitment is required. Children arrive properly dressed and prepared for a day of learning and playing outside in all weather, both on the farm and in the forest.
Preschool Program Cost
Non-refundable enrollment $100 + 10% tuition deposit. Full and 1st quarter payments are due July 1st.
Fees:
Preschool 9-1 | One time payment | Quarterly payment |
1 day | $2,150 | $788.00 |
2 days | $3,650 | $1,338.00 |
3 days | $5,100 | $1,870.00 |
Contact lisab@tbtinc.org for registration information.
Nature offers infinite opportunities for growth as we learn and change right along with the seasons. When surrounded by nature, children experience a free flowing and ever changing environment that stimulates all of the senses. An earthen classroom without walls allows for more freedom of choice to follow one’s own interests and discover what it is that makes them shine brightest while allowing space to dramatically strengthen skills across the board. Unstructured outdoor play fosters children’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development all while boosting self-concept.
- We sharpen our power of observation and inquiry through investigating natural phenomenon around us, asking questions and finding answers in teachable moments as they arise. Children are naturally curious explorers, and nature provides endless opportunities to experience the sights, scents, sounds, and textures of our world.
- Spending our time in fresh open air enhances feelings of peace and overall emotional wellbeing. Children are allowed the freedom to express themselves in ways that can be restricted indoors; they can run, jump, climb, roll, shout, make noise and move about with friends or observe independently in moments they feel called to. From the restless & energetic to the contemplative & placid children, and all that fit in between, there is a place in nature to allow us to focus on our interests and relieve our tensions in ways that feel good for us.
- Nature offers an open-ended platform for imaginative play, child-initiated games, and exploration of curiosities. Children have a chance to interact with new and different playmates in a multitude of ways as they learn to share and problem solve. As guides, we aim to give children the tools necessary for solving their own problems and conflict as scenarios arise. We utilize different techniques such as collaborative problem solving, positive reinforcement, and talking openly about feelings and solutions to help build social skills.
- Nature has a way of bringing out the nurturing qualities of children as they grow in empathy towards one another, often reaching out to friends who may be sad or hurt. Through developing empathy, children learn to more readily recognize these feelings in themselves and we aim to help students form healthy coping mechanisms along the way.
- Through the program, children form healthy self-concepts as they become increasingly independent and learn how to take responsibility for their belongings, their actions, and their well-being. Students’ emotional regulation and resiliency strengthens as well as they continually navigate new challenges and experiences.
- We allow healthy risk in open-ended play, which is a balance of risk and safety appropriate to the child. Children are provided a level of challenge, which helps them learn new skills. We aim towards forming bonds of trust and independence for kids to figure out what works and what doesn’t in the real world. Students are given the freedom to climb trees, hop from rock to rock, and run along rooted paths after being given appropriate guidance and boundaries. When they meet failure and fall short of expectations, this gives them the opportunity to reassess and problem solve as they readjust their plans, ultimately building their resilience as confident and capable human beings.
- Children are able to connect to nature in meaningful ways, forming bonds and attachments as we grow in relationship with the earth through direct experience. On a broad scale, we are guiding children to become protectors and future stewards for the environment. In order to raise compassionate adults who will be passionate about protecting and preserving our planet, they must first form a deep love for it. This is where we open the door for children to become comfortable in nature and explore the many wonders the earth has to share with us.
Preschool Flow of the Day
9:00am Drop off and free play at the Welcome Garden
9:30am Morning meeting and snack
10:00am Outside exploration and themed activity
11:30pm Lunch from home
12:00pm Outside exploration in the forest
1:00pm Parent pick-up at the Welcome Garden
Outdoor Exploration is unstructured play time that occurs in a variety of locations including wooded play spaces, visiting the barn and animal pens, exploring the garden, and hiking trails to destinations like the waterfall, lion rock, beaver pond, mud kitchen, or the circle of stumps.
Theme-based guided activities include art projects, story times, yoga and movement activities, music, and science experiments related to our seasonal theme of the month.