Our licensed childcare for 3-6 year olds
Kinglets "Nature School"
We believe kids deserve MORE time engaged in play: exploring, imagining, creating, discovering, building physical, social, sensory, & emotional skills, gaining confidence & connecting to nature.
*Enrollment for 2025-2026 opens in February!*
To inquire about spots for 2024-2025, email: admissions@fieldfarmandforest.org
OUR PHILOSOPHY We believe that children are their own best leaders in their learning. By allowing them to explore their natural environment, their inherent curiosity creates organic opportunities for learning. In recent years, an increasing amount of research has shown that play is the work of childhood and that it is the most effective way for children to boost their cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and sensory development. We also believe all children deserve an “authentic childhood”, which includes plenty of self-directed play and time outdoors without time constraints or teacher-driven plans. Our teachers’ role is to facilitate this natural inclination for learning. We do this by creating a safe, enriching and engaging learning space. We follow the children as they explore, allowing for and expecting differences in development and learning styles for children in the same age group. As children show interest and aptitude in different areas (like reading, math, writing, art and science concepts), we bring in materials and offer guidance to help the child extend their skills. Learning occurs organically and our ‘curriculum’ is an emergent one. Children leave our program each day joyful, appreciated, respected and, very likely, DIRTY!
WHY "KINGLETS"? Our children were nicknamed the "Kinglets" back in 2013 when we started FFF as an organization and began offering nature-based programs to 3-6 year olds. We now run this program as a licensed childcare. It is inspired by the “Wald kindergarten” or “Forest Kindergarten” model, which began in Europe and has gained popularity in recent years throughout the US. Our educational approach is to immerse children in nature by being outside during the majority of the day. Through outdoor play, children learn to move their bodies, use their imagination, satisfy their curiosity, gain confidence, overcome fears, build friendships and develop a strong & positive connection to nature.
Our Enrollment Process
Open House: January 18th, 2025
Early February: Enrollment Opens to Public
March 1st: Enrollment Applications Due
March 15th: Decisions Sent Out *
March 30th: Acceptance Packets & Deposit Due
Then rolling admissions as space allows.
Applications for new Kinglets will be prioritized by:
1. Siblings of current Kinglets
2. Families on our waitlist
3. Number of days requested (higher priority to 5 day and full day applicants)
4. Flexibility with enrollment days
*ALL APPLICANTS MUST ATTEND AN OPEN HOUSE OR ARRANGE A MORNING VISIT WITH US PRIOR TO APPLYING!
Enrollment Options & Tuition
Full Day: 8:30am - 3pm
Half Day: 8:30am - 12:30pm
Aftercare is available M-Th from 3-4:30pm for an additional $15/day
We accept childcare subsidies!
To see if you qualify for childcare financial assistance (subsidy), visit https://dcf.vermont.gov/benefits/ccfap
Note: Effective July 2, 2023, the CCFAP capped rates will adjust to a simplified rate schedule with higher base rates to better reflect the cost of providing quality child care. Learn more here: https://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd-blog/updated-ccfap-capped-rates-effective-july#:~:text=Effective%20July%202%2C%202023%2C%20the,or%20the%20State's%20capped%20rate.
You can find more information about our program in our Family Handbook. All caregivers and parents are required to read this prior to enrolling their children in our licensed childcare or summer programs. To view, click the link below.