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Little Ferns Nature Program:
Nature Immersion & Play-Based Early Education in the Forest School Tradition
Ages 3-5. 9:15am-12pm. Book Seasonally or full-year. 1 - 5 days per week.
About Little Ferns Nature Program...
Based on the European forest preschool model, Little Ferns engages children and families in the wonder of developing key foundations in STEAM, language arts, and social and emotional skills by engaging with nature and animals.
We believe children learn best in a natural environment. Children spend at least 75% of their time in the program outdoors. The Little Fern's whole-child approach awakens children's senses, fosters individuality, confidence, and children's sense of belonging in the world. Through exploration of nature and team-building activities, Little Ferns seeks to marry academic learning with developmentally appropriate practices that set children up for school readiness and a lifelong sense of well-being in nature.
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Look, I built a tee-pee!
At Little Ferns, all participants are:
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Equal, unique and valuable
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Considered competent to explore and discover
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Wildly encouraged to be imaginative, silly, and creative
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Encouraged to face appropriate risk and challenges
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Guided to follow directions in order to be respectful of others, optimize learning, and keep everyone safe
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Given many opportunities to cooperate, share, and problem-solve together, developing social skills and emotional regulation
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All parents and carers are encouraged (though not required) to volunteer two class sessions per term. This is a terrific opportunity to get out and enjoy nature with your child. We guarantee, it will make you feel like a child again too!
What does it mean
to be a Co-Op?
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The Teachers:
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Sam Weinstock is the Director of the Weinberg Nature Center and Scarsdale Village Naturalist. Sam has a B.A. in Education and did his graduate work in Environmental Education at NYU. His work is deeply informed by years living with aboriginal people in Australia, where his 5-7 year old "teachers" taught him to speak to birds and sing with the Earth. He has worked in early childhood education, environmental education, animal husbandry and nature therapy for the past 20 years. He is a regular ecology and horticulture teacher in Little Ferns as well as hiking guide.
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Alexandria Harr received her BA from Queens College in Environmental Studies and Psychology. Alexandria teaches in Little Ferns and helps to run the Forest Adventures afterschool programs.
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Meagan Montalvo, M.S.E. Mercy College, Certified in Early Childhood Education Prek-6th grade. Meagan has 18 years teaching experience and is a regular Little Ferns teacher.
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Jesssica Douek, BA in Photography, Savannah College of Art and Design. Jessica
brings in her teaching talents in the arts and nature discovery to Little Ferns. Her daughter is a graduate of Little Ferns.
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Ages and Class Size:
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For the 2024-2025 school year, Little Ferns will include a maximum of 12-14 children, ages 2.5 - 5 years old who will spend the day in a combination of small and whole-group activities. (Children must be potty-trained, unless accompanied by an adult/nanny).
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The class will run with 2-3 teachers and also may include 1-2 parent volunteers per class session. Parents are always welcomed to stay and for children with special behavioral needs, are encouraged to do so as the forest presents particular challenges for supporting a group and keeping everyone safe.
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1 adult per 4 children (ratio)
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Daily hikes in 700-acre woods
"My child was never bored and
loved being outdoors."
"Teachers bring children
on beautiful adventures and infuse the class
with their own wonder and deep kindness."
"My son came out of his shell and
made so many friends."
Please note: WNCFS is not an accredited preschool and is not licensed as a New York State Childcare Provider. We are not legally affiliated with any school.
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