Preschool
We invite you to step into the daily and seasonal rhythms of our preschool program through this short video. As you watch, you’ll glimpse the flow of our days, the changing landscape across the year, and the quiet ways children build relationship with place, one return at a time. This is an invitation to witness how rhythm, land, and childhood meet in practice—rooted in attentiveness, care, and belonging.
Our Preschool Rhythms
Daily Rhythm
9am - Arrival + Meadow Play
9:30am - Morning Circle
10am - Nature Walk + Forest Play
10:40 am - Snack
11 am - Forest Play
11:45am - Enrichment activity: Storytelling, Bread baking, Watercolor painting, Drawing
12:10pm - Indoor play
12:35pm - Lunch
1pm - Pickup
Weekly Rhythm
Tuesday: Story | Fruit + Popcorn | Brown rice + Veggies + Pinto Beans
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​Wednesday: Bread baking | Fruit + Cashews | GF pasta + Buns
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Thursday: Watercolor painting | Apples + Bread + Cheese | Black Beans + Brown Rice
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Friday: Drawing |Fruit + energy balls | Pizza + Veggie Sticks
Seasonal Rhythm
Early Fall - Sept. 1​- Sept. 21
Late Fall- Sept. 22- Oct. 31
​Early Winter - Nov. 1 - Dec. 20
Late Winter - Dec. 21- Jan. 31​
Early Spring - Feb. 1 - Mar. 19
Late Spring - Mar. 20- Apr. 30​Early Summer - May 1 - Jun. 11
We acknowledge and celebrate the quarter and cross-quarter days as a way to anchor our program in the rhythms of nature.
The year can be thought of as having 8 seasons, each lasting about 6-8 weeks.
We shift our theme of inquiry with the season. Guiding questions and activities are provided by teachers with space reserved for student contributions, wonderings, and emergence.
Seasonal Family Celebrations
Our community events are more than just celebrations of the changing seasons; they're opportunities for families to come together and strengthen bonds. As each season transitions, we gather to honor the beauty of nature and the connections we share. Through shared activities, such as crafting, storytelling, and enjoying seasonal treats, families forge deeper relationships and create lasting memories. These gatherings foster a sense of belonging and unity, enriching our community with warmth, laughter, and a shared appreciation for the rhythms of the natural world.
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Welcome Potluck - September
Autumn Lantern Walk - November
Salmon Field Trip - November
Winter Spiral of Light- December
Camas Field Trip - March
Welcoming Summer - May
Goodbye Potluck - June
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Preschool Tuition
2 days a week
September - June
9am - 1pm
$500 a month
3 days a week
September - June
9am - 1pm
$630 a month
4 days a week
September - June
9am - 1pm
$775 a month
$150 Deposit upon enrollment, $300 Supply Fee due July 15
10 monthly Tuition payments beginning August 15 ending May 15
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$25 Application Fee, to cover administrative costs and site tours
After-Care
For families needing additional hours of care, our afternoon program is designed to provide children with a calm and restorative time focusing on rest/relaxation, quiet play, and stories. After a busy morning of activities, children can unwind, relax and recharge. The program includes a cozy rest period, opportunities for quiet, imaginative play, and listening to stories. This gentle transition from the day's excitement helps foster a sense of peace and well-being, preparing them for the rest of their day.
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Available Tuesday-Friday
1-3 pm
$300
*Can be prorated depending on number of hours and days desired*
The Land
Forest and Meadow
Our children have access to a secluded and private forest sanctuary, where nature's wonders await around every corner. We follow winding trails that lead through the lush canopy, revealing hidden treasures at every turn. Among towering trees, ancient nursery logs provide a glimpse into the forest's rich history, while a vast meadow invites moments of quiet contemplation beneath the open sky. In this enchanting haven, surrounded by the whispers of the woods, serenity and beauty converge to create an unforgettable retreat into nature's embrace.
Beach
Once a month, our children spend the day exploring the trails and shoreline of sqÌ“Ê·ayaiÅ‚ (anglicized as Squi-Aitl). We follow familiar paths down to the water’s edge, discovering new details with every return. Along the shore, weathered driftwood, tiny crabs, and shore birds reflect the living presence of the Salish Sea, while rocky stretches of beach invite careful movement, rest, and observation beneath the open sky. In this spacious coastal landscape, held by wind, water, and salt air, calm and wonder meet—creating a deep and lasting relationship with the living world.
Our Program Pillars
Land-Centered Education
The land is our primary teacher. We spend our days playing and learning from the Earth. We encourage deep listening, observations, question-asking, and experimentation. Children form meaningful connections by entering into direct relationship with the land. This tangible bond fosters a deep sense of identity and belonging and desire to safeguard and protect. Together we honor and give thanks to the land and demonstrate an ethos of stewardship.
Daily Nature Immersion
Our program includes a balance of guided and self-directed nature immersion, including teacher-led hikes, self-guided exploration, open-ended play, and movement games that encourage children to come into relationship with the natural world. Our forest adventures provide children with a unique opportunity to explore and appreciate our unique local ecosystems. We build resilience and grit by learning how to navigate challenging weather and terrain.
Social-Emotional Learning
Our teachers take time to acknowledge the little moments of kindness, teamwork, and resilience that make each day special. With gentle guidance, we help our young learners navigate challenges and stay safe, happy, and caring. Children not only build confidence but also develop a strong sense of self-worth and personal boundaries. We also weave in GRUB’s Tend, Gather, Grow curriculum, turning to our native and naturalized plants as guides.
Storytelling and Art
We believe that stories and art are powerful gateways for understanding and engaging with our wild and wonderful world. Our stories and puppet plays are intentionally selected or mindfully crafted with beautiful language, living images and seasonal themes. Children are given ample opportunities to develop their own voices and self-expression through activities such as painting, drawing, singing, listening to and telling stories.
Play and Curiosity
Children engage with and make sense of the world through play. Self-directed play allows children to get creative and solve problems, practice interpersonal skills, and build self-confidence. At times, our teachers take a more active role in planning, observing and guiding play and exploration. We look for emergent opportunities to co-create learning experiences with the children and the land. Through outdoor play, children learn how to overcome manageable challenges, navigate healthy risk, and understand personal safety.
Holistic Nourishment
We take a holistic approach to nourishment, ensuring all aspects of our program support the development of the whole child. Nourished children are happy children ready for a day filled with learning and play! We offer a balanced menu with healthy snacks and lunch. We source organic ingredients from the Olympia Food Co-op and local farmers, ensuring fresh and wholesome homemade goodness. We also teach respectful foraging for native plants to be used in seasonal teas and treats.