A Dayhome....and a Forest School...Together?

Welcome to my latest creative endeavor!

Many of you have seen this cute little play space already and many of you also know that I have a sincere love for child development, nature adventure and the child's right to play. Well actually.. we all have the right to play don't we!

As I move forward in my 25 year long career in Early Childhood Education, my little 'Forest School' program is evolving to encompass more - more families, more funding and to acknowledge the changing pressures in all our lives.

What I've heard from you, the parents that have helped me build my Forest School?

• Some of you have enrolled your child in Forest school for years;

  
  

• Some of you have told me that juggling parenting/home keeping/career is too much and you need childcare;

  
  

• Some of you notice the real-time pressures of public school and want your child to have free play time in the outdoors with pals;

  
  

• Some of you want something more creative and open-minded;

  
  

• Some of you want to play with your own kids;

  
  

• Maybe most of all: we want to be with what's feeling natural. Plants, animals, the seasons, the sunshine, snow, rain, loved ones. Simplicity, diversity and the freedom to choose!

I sincerely want to serve you, your family and also me. The passion that I hold for Forest School has been with me for a really long time.

How long you ask? I first expressed it back in 1993 to a friend on a hike in Jasper National Park. It came to a reality in 2017 when I decided to enroll in Fresh Air Learning courses in North Vancouver. I then took a job with Chilliwack Park Society the very next year.

Fast forward to today - my programs have run in Saskatoon and area for four years!

This is not a large city and many folks need to work a lot. Due to this reality, I cannot fill the weekly schedule by running with such limited hours and I really want to fill the roster.

Enter the licensed day home project! It turns out that I am a rarity in the ELCC world here in Saskatchewan! I am working to create a nature (land) based child care program and you are all major contributors. We have been through a lot together and I am amazed all the time at what your children love to do. ELCC (provincial licensing) has never done a land based childcare program before and we are working together on it.

Imagine! We're building something new, and here's my part:

• I am completing preparation lists for ELCC every week.

• I am changing the language that we use to part-time and full-time

• ELCC licensing does not allow 3 hour long programs like 'preschool'

• 3 hour programs will extend to 5 hrs or more

• daily schedule to allow for meals and quiet times

• all child care options start at age 3 yrs and go to 12 yrs

• we are outside every day! AS long as possible and maybe twice

• adventure locations continue and are called excursions

• subsidy is possible for children under age 6 OR in kindergarten

• homeschoolers are welcome to attend

• the in-home play space will be measured for a maximum number of children

• I will be providing meals and want your input!

• there is a lot of planning with trial and error close behind it

Practice month is December! Come try it out.

I am eager and hopeful that many or all of you can continue to participate in this in the new year. 

Please book a meeting with me! I'd love to talk more.

Email Me!