FOREST KINDERGARTEN
A NATURE IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR 3-6 YEAR OLDS
SUNRIVER
2023/24
SESSION
SEP18-JUN21
Ages: 3 - 6 Years Old
Days: M, TH, F
Time: 9:30am - 1:30pm
Where: Sunriver Nature Center
Now enrolling for 23-24 School year!
We offer a morning program, 9AM - 1PM, two, three or four days per week for children 3-6 years of age. We provide two opportunities for children to re-charge and nourish their bodies with a healthy snack (provided) and lunch (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 ever-changing classroom.
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
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Place-based education (permanent location)
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Interest-led/child-driven learning/Flow Learning
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Inquiry-based teaching
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Small student to teacher ratio of 5:1
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Exposure to moderate risk
TUITION
Bend Forest School strives to make all the programs we offer as equitable to our community as possible. In doing so, we follow a two-tier tuition model. The cost of tuition is dependent on which tier a family falls within. Applicants will apply through School & Student Services (TADS) in order to determine tier placement. Tuition assistance is also available. View more information about our tuition model and application process here.
Our Sunriver kindergarten program is a 3 days per week program.
SCHEDULE
Bend Forest School will loosely follow the Bend-La Pine School Districts schedule. We will follow their Inclement Weather Closures.
Following is our 2023-2024 schedule:
First Day: September 18th, 2023
Veterans Day (C):
Thanksgiving Break (C): November 20-27
Winter Break (C): Dec. 18 - Jan. 2, 2024
MLK Day: (C)
President's Day: (C)
Spring Break (C): March 25 - April 1
Memorial Day (C):
Last Day: June 21st, 2024
