Our Outdoor Kindergarten Program
The educational programs at Kinder Forest School are created with our children’s needs in mind: to grow and learn in the beauty of nature.
A Waldorf-inspired nature and art program for children ages 3-6 years old.
In "a classroom without walls" children learn by engaging in the natural world around them.
Days spent in the beauty of Henry Cowell State Park provide for many hours of unhurried time for social-emotional learning in the perfect setting to nourish the development of curiosity, imagination, and play. Our Kinder Forest School program keeps children excited about learning by building on the children's discoveries and interests while fostering their connection to nature.
Our nature-inspired, placed-based, experiential learning program provides structure and rhythm to a day spent outdoors. Kinder Forest School is rooted in the practice of supporting each child's care for themself, each other, and the Earth.
Fall 2024 Session
September 10th-December 19th
Henry Cowell State Park
Tu, Wed, Th
8:45am-12:45pm
Our Daily Rhythm and Flow
~ Free Play as friends arrive
~ Opening Circle/Morning Welcome
~ Begin our day's adventure, explore as we walk
~ Snack (packed from home)
~ Exploration and free play at our day’s resting spot
~Creative Arts
~ Lunch (packed from home)
~ Storytime/Craft Activity
~ Closing Circle
Pick up and drop off locations are at Henry Cowell State Park
Tuition
Sliding Scale: $2,975 - $3,325
($850-$950/month)
*Kinder Forest is permitted by Henry Cowell State Park and fully insured*
Winter/Spring 2025 Session
January-May
(details coming soon:)
"My parents taught me honesty, truth, compassion, kindness and how to care for people. Also, they encouraged me to take risks, to boldly go. They taught me that the greatest danger in life is not taking the adventure."
~ Brian Blessed
Learn, Explore, Grow
Our Summer Camps
Learning Through Play
The educational programs at Kinder Forest School are created with our children’s needs in mind: to grow and develop in a safe, yet stimulating environment. Take a look below to learn more about each program.
Summer Camp 2025
Details Coming March 2025
Summer Camp 2025
Summer Camp 2025
What We’re All About
Our Roots
Kinder Forest School is founded on the belief that the young child thrives when in nature. Research has concluded children who spend time in nature show greater resilience to stress as well as increased levels of creativity and cognitive functioning. Perhaps more importantly, playing outside and exploring our world is just fun.
The mission of the Kinder Forest School is to provide a loving, rhythmic, unhurried, experiential learning environment, while allowing children the opportunity to connect with nature as they grow, develop, learn, and explore.
Kinder Forest School Team
Director and Lead Teacher
Claire Roberts
Claire’s passion for teaching began in the world of outdoor education, where she developed and facilitated programs in environmental studies and leadership for students of all ages. After working for Web of Life Field School in Aptos and beyond, Claire began a Waldorf-inspired outdoor kindergarten. When her daughter was born, she took a pause from Kinder Forest School and since then, Claire has taught movement, gardening, and parent-child classes at Waldorf School of the Peninsula and the Santa Cruz Waldorf School. She loves all opportunities to connect youth and youthful hearts with nature. Claire is currently completing her Masters in Waldorf Education through the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute. Having lived in the Santa Cruz Mountains for nearly a decade, she is grateful to have the opportunity to again offer a forest kindergarten, this time in her home the Santa Cruz Mountains. She is excited to be to moving her work closer to home, and to have the opportunity to unite her passions of early childhood education, community building, and nature connection.