FOREST PRESCHOOL
Program Information
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ABOUT FOREST PRESCHOOL
Through hands-on experiences with nature, Forest Preschool provides outdoor learning that is active, joyful and fun! Most of our learning takes place outside, but for inclement weather, we have a classroom space to get cozy indoors.
Taking inspiration from European waldkindergartens, waldkitas, and forest schools, outdoor learning encourages children to explore nature, make friends and engage in active play. Essential foundation skills are nurtured through sensorial experiences, laying the bedrock for future learning.
NATURE-BASED CURRICULUM
The language-rich natural environment abounds with opportunities for storytelling, artistic expression, math ideas, engineering and construction with loose parts, science concepts, and so much more! High and low technology are part of our excursions, although we are thoughtful and intentional about their uses (EX. digital cameras, videos, email, blog; wheels, pulleys, levers, magnifiers, binoculars).
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Our emergent curriculum and project-based approaches encourage creative problem-solving and inquiry, common in child-directed Reggio Emilia-inspired programs. Children make magical outdoor discoveries in every season, rain or shine. We encourage family participation and offer community events throughout the year.
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PROGRAM OPTIONS
For the 2026-2027 school year, we offer 2 different programs, a full-day childcare and a hybrid all-outdoor half-day preschool.
Our full-day program runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 am-4:30 pm. This program runs from September until June, followed by an 8-week program for the summer. Our summer session follows the same weeks that BCRP's summer camps run. Children ages 2-5 are in a mixed-age classroom and enjoy the benefits of learning from children at levels of development than themselves. The tiny tots observe their older classmates play, while older children often take on sweet "caretaking" roles of their smaller friends. On hikes, half of the time we may split the group up by age, the trails we take, and activities for the day. Classes are capped at 14 children.
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Our full-day childcare has three options and pricing below:
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Monday-Friday (5 days/week)
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Monday/Wednesday/Friday (3 days/week)
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Tuesday/Thursday (2 days/week)
*Eligible children may not turn 6 years old before June at the end of the school year.
Our hybrid all-outdoor half-day program runs from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. This program runs from September until June. Children ages 3-5 immerse themselves in autumn's crispy leaves, winter's bed of snow, spring's budding flowers, and the beginning of summer's bountiful foraging opportunities. Even on a rainy day, everyone is dropped off outside ready in their gear for muddy puddles! While we will spend most days outdoors, in cases of extreme or dangerous weather (ex. thunderstorms, high winds, unsafe air quality, etc.), we will utilize an indoor space at Carrie Murray Nature Center rather than shutting down the program. Children will gain a deep relationship and understanding of the forest during their seasons as they trek the trails for the whole morning! Due to the nature of the hybrid all-outdoor program, children must potty trained. This program does not run through the summer.
Our half-day preschool has two options and pricing below:
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Monday/Wednesday/Friday (3 days/week)
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Tuesday/Thursday (2 days/week)
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*Eligible children may not turn 6 years old before June at the end of the school year.
We follow both Baltimore City Public Schools and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks calendars. If your family joins program, you will find Forest Preschool’s calendar with your enrollment packet.
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We do not offer tours unless we are offering a spot to a family. We invite you to join our staple family programs such as Family Nature Hike or Mother Nature Storytime to get a feel for what our nature center offers. There is a kids corner in the Lodge and the Outdoor Classroom which are open to the public unless there is a rental or preschool is there.
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See Tuition and Enrollment for information on getting your child into our program.
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Do you have a question that hasn't been answered here? Contact Lilli Banks at lillian.banks@baltimorecity.gov.
