Forest Friends Preschool

at Lakemont Community Park in Bellevue, Wa

Join our waitlist for our 2024-2025 Program 

Your children will get every opportunity that an indoor classroom presents with the added benefits of being immersed in nature. This program not only allows your children to learn traditional curriculum and social skills, but also park specific knowledge all while being physically active throughout the day. 

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Schedule:

8:00-12:30 Preschool Structured Hours

8:00-30 Morning Drop-Off (Free-play at the playground while we wait for all of our friends)

8:30-9 Morning Circle (We gather all together and share our feelings and excitements about the day)

9-9:15 Snack (An opportunity to talk about nutrition)

9:15-9:30 Potty Break 

9:30-10:30 Nature "Hunt" (This is usually math and science time. We will take the time to talk about the plant and animal life, do scavenger hunts, collect fun leaves for art later, count tracks, gather small rocks to use for math, etc.)

10:30-11 Art/Activity (A time for nature and classroom activity to come together. We will promote being inspired by what's around us during this part of the day)

11-11:30 Centers/Free Play/Potty Break 

11:30-12:00 Lunch

12:00-30 Afternoon Circle & Pick-Up

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12:30-3:30 Afternoon Care

Unstructured Nature-Immersion Time means more Exploring, Climbing, Identifying, Bird Watching, Snacks, Art, Games, Sports, Trails, and LOTS of Play!

​12:30-2 Nap or Quiet Time

2-2:15 Waking Up/Potty Break 

2:15-3:15 Snack & Free Play

3:15-3:30 Afternoon-Pick-Up

Extended Day: 3:30-5

Afternoon Adventures: Walk to Lewis Creek, Grocery Store, Ranger Station, Creek Walk, Special Crafts, etc. 

4:30-5: Extended Day Pick-Up 

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Children enrolled in this class will get to experience.

• Mixed Aged Playing Experience

• Close and Small Classroom

  • More individualized attention and tailored learning

• Learning about the weather and seasonal changes.

• Learning to identify plants and animals in our parks. 

• Weekly Music & Yoga

• Animal Interactions Brought-In 

• Farm Field Trips

• Most importantly a love and curiosity for the OUTDOORS!​

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Our location allows us access to creeks, forested trails, softball fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, Lewis Creek Park, the visitor center, wetland trails, etc. Below are just a few glimpses of our beautiful classroom!