We offer a morning program, 9AM - 1PM, two, three or four days per week for children 3-5 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 1:5.

Inspired by European model, Waldkindergarten (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 minimal 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:

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• 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 5:1

• Exposure to moderate risk