THIS SCHOOL YEAR OUR KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM WILL RUN MON-THURS. WE WILL WEAVE OUR KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM WITH PROJECT/PLACE BASED LEARNING, NATURE IMMERSION AND CONNECTION.

 

PLEASE BE IN TOUCH WITH QUESTIONS AND WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO ATTEND ONE OF OUR UPCOMING ZOOM OPEN HOUSES.

​

We offer a morning program, 9AM - 2PM, four days per week, for children 5-6 years of age. We provide two opportunities for children to re-charge and nourish their bodies with a healthy snack and lunch (both brought from home). To be able to individually support and connect with each child as necessary, we have a low staff to child ratio of 1:6. Class size of 12.

 

Inspired by European model of Waldkindergartens (all outside, all weather, early childhood programs), we have created an inclusive nature immersion early childhood program that provides children with the opportunity for adult supported uninterrupted and unstructured play time in nature. This closeness to the natural world and exposure to moderate risk supports a young child’s mental and physical health as well as problem solving skills, social-emotional learning, sensory, motor and cognitive development.

 

As a place-based program, children continually discover their “classroom” as the seasons and environments change throughout the year. 

 

Bend Forest school is modeled after the German based Waldkindergarten. Key principles of this model include:

​

• All-outdoor, all-weather nature immersion

• Place-based education (permanent location)

• Play-based (children learn through play)

• Interest-led/child-driven learning/Flow Learning

• Emergent Curriculum 

• Inquiry-based teaching 

• Small student to teacher ratio of 6:1

• Exposure to moderate risk 

​

Within our 200-plus acre classroom we:

​

• Place equal value on the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth of students.              

• Promote authentic learning with high expectations. 

• Provide an open atmosphere for the student's discovery of self, others, and the world around them. 

• Encourage an intimate connection to the natural world and surrounding communities through in-depth, integrated study. 

 

TUITION

Contact us for prices. This program requires 4 days of enrollment. Scholarships available contact us for tuition support application. 

 

SCHEDULE​​

Bend Forest School will loosely follow the Bend-Lapine School Districts schedule. We will follow their Inclement Weather Closures.

​

Following is our 2021-2022 schedule:

​

First Day: September 8th, 2021

Veterans Day (C): 11/11/21

Thanksgiving Break (C): 11/22-11/26/21

Winter Break (C): 12/20/21-1/2/22

MLK Day: 1/17/22 (C)

Spring Break (C): 3/21/22-3/25/22

Memorial Day (C): 5/30/22

Last Day: June 10th, 2022

​