NOW ENROLLING THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLDS FOR FALL 2026!
Young Five Year Olds also considered
So grateful for this experience. The Forest Friends program is full of thoughtfulness, gratitude, kindness, and love. I appreciate that my son gets to spend time in a beautiful outdoor setting surrounded by these values. The kids climb trees, do crafts, explore, play, and sing to animals and friends. It's magical. Kelly's Forest Friends program feels like a gift that my son can carry with him the rest of his life.
~Gina, mother of a kindergarten student
Forest Friends OUtdoor Preschool program
Forest Friends is a Waldorf-inspired nature-connection preschool program where young children are bathed in rich cultural experiences that are interwoven with the enchantments of the natural world. Forest Friends is now offering its preschool program in open space lands near Fairfax.
In this program, children spend their days outside, connecting deeply with the magic and wonder of the natural world in garden, field, and forest. Our weekly rhythm includes circle, stories, songs, rhythm activities, crafting, gardening, nature skills, imaginative, cooperative games, and of course, lots of free play in nature.
Our Day:
Arrival—Wash Hands, Game/Activity
Morning Circle—Songs, Poems, Circle Games
Exploration/Joyful Journey to Playsite
Snack and Sharing
Free Play in the Forest +Crafting
Lunch and Story
Journey Back and Closing Song
Social & Emotional Learning
Forest Friends students are supported by teachers and environments that nurture their holistic, balanced development as human beings. Children are gently guided toward embodied presence, and begin to learn to identify and express feelings and needs in age-appropriate ways. They are immersed in cultural practices that begin to nurture and draw forth the capacities for empathy, integrity, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, self-care, and love. Teachers model behavior that is truly worthy of imitation.
nd Portuguese, possibly others as well).
Harmony With the Seasons
Our stories, circles, and hand-crafts change as the seasons change. For instance, we may be inspired by Squirrel to collect and grind acorns into flour in the autumn, respond naturally to Brother Rain by building shelters in the winter, or imitate Robin by making nests in the spring.
Community
The program includes 3-4 seasonal celebrations for the whole family, a home visit with each child, and educational parent evenings once a month (one parent required).