Reach out through our contact form or see our enrollment page for the steps to enroll.

email at Contact@GratefulGatheringFS.org

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Low Teacher-to-Child Ratio
We maintain a 1:4 ratio, typically with 3 teachers for every 12 children. This allows for deep connection, individualized support, and a calm, responsive learning environment.

Intentional Communication
Through modeling, curiosity, and thoughtful questions and conversations, our teachers support children in problem-solving, expressing themselves, and building confidence to be their truest and most successful self.

Skill-Focused Learning
Whether social, emotional, or physical, we support children in building real-life skills. With thoughtful guidance, children are empowered to take ownership of their learning, friendships, and grow with confidence.

Stewardship of Land
Through everyday interactions with nature in our outdoor classroom, we nourish our students innate love for the outdoors and the animals and plants that inhabit it. Our teachers guide in thoughtful lessons and activities that connect with the seasons and natural world.

Intoduction to Subjects
Beginning next year, we will be adding Wild Learning materials to our teaching curriculum. Their helpful materials, along with our amazing teachers, offer guidance and a soft approach to learning subjects like math and reading to prepare our students with the essential knowledge they will need to take their next steps, wherever and whenever that may be.We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.

Originated in Denmark, Forest Kindergartens (or preschools) are a type of education for children between the ages of three and six that is held almost exclusively outdoors.

Now adopted and getting more popular in the US, Forest Schools are becoming an incredible child development tool for children of all ages.

Grateful Gathering Forest School adopted the Playschool value system because we believe that the best and only true way for a child to practice everyday life skills with passion and curiosity is through play.

And we believe the best teacher and playground for that learning is in nature. Nature immersion has many therapeutic benefits. Our curriculum focuses on interest-led nature exploration, PLAY, and daily discoveries. We engage with our natural world and foster an environment for children to be empowered, develop life skills, friendships, and explore their creativity, while developing confidence and an innate interest in learning about themselves and the world around them.

Check out our program pages for more details.
Playschool classes are about $55 per class. Classes are reoccuring each week August-May. Tution is invoiced monthly. We have a 30 day notice policy.

Tuition for 2 days a week is a monthly rate of $440

Summer Camp is a seperate enrollment. 8 weeks June & July

Grateful Gatherings Forest School’s low teacher to student ratio (4:1 for ages 3-6 and 6:1 for ages 5-9) and our child-led approach to learning allows for every child to show up to school each day just as they are, with teachers able to take care of their individual needs and feelings.

We begin each day with a “hello circle” of some kind where we tune into our bodies, talk about the weather for the day and what that means for our clothing (removing layers, feeling too hot/cold, etc.), go over our affirmations and agreements, and sing a song together. The rest of the day is unstructured free-play and in the moment learning about ourselves and our feelings, the natural world around us, and how to build and foster relationships with others. Each class includes: seasonal nature-based learning, unstructured exploration and play, songs & stories, team-building games, food and water to nourish our bodies, mindful practices, problem solving, creativity, skill building, and lots of friendships and fun!

We use multiple nature spots throughout Sandy based on season. Meet ups and Pick-up and drop-off will be in the parking lot of the location we are meeting at for the day. Location is seasonal based on sunlight. Teachers will message about location change for any reason.

Grateful Gatherings is an outdoor program. Depending on where we are at, we wont always have access to public restrooms. We ask that parents help their children get comfortable going to the bathroom outside before they begin our program. We do request parents pack an extra pair for clothing in case of an accident. One teacher will always be close by in case they are needed, and we always carry hand sanitizer for after a potty break. We allow kids to go to go to the bathroom and eat at their food on their own terms (we do ask everyone every day if they need to go to the bathroom and make sure every child has sat down to eat) and actively promote listening to their bodies every day at school.

Safety is our main priority with the kids, and is a staple in what we teach at school. Because we are a 100% outdoor program, if the weather is unsafe for the children to be outside for extended periods of time, we will have to close for the day. We do not refund if we have to cancel for the day. Make up days are available, but up to the family to schedule.

Before joining our program, a lot of parents ask us what they can do to help their child get ready for Forest School. What a great question to ask! We believe the best way to prepare them and make them feel confident in this exciting step is to show them what they will be doing! We ask parents to take them to the places they will be playing in and go for a hike and explore with them! Familiarize them with our website and our social media page and show them some of the activities we do. Practice going to the bathroom outside. Talk to them about what they can expect and what they might be feeling about it. Doing these things with your child will help make him/her more readily able to make that transition, and feel confident in their new outdoor environment!