Forest Playschool

Weekly drop-off preschool program in the Audubon woods

Audubon's Forest Playschool is a half-day drop-off program for children ages 3 to 5 based at the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington, Vermont for 1 day each week. Our mornings begin with exploratory play or art upon drop-off. From here we say goodbye to parents and travel to our forest camp, playing games along the way. Our opening circle introduces the day's theme, followed by snack and story time. Then it's off for the adventure of the day: hiking to a favorite lookout, searching for animal dens or tracks, building a fort, or exploring the latest signs of the season. We are open to wherever our senses and our imagination may take us!

The Forest Playschool program seeks to develop the innate bond between children and the natural world by providing a landscape to play, explore, and use all of our senses. Our teachers act as role models and guides: they share in the children’s curiosity, ask questions, inspire with stories, and embody empathy towards all living things.

See our Forest Playschool Handbook, attached below, for detailed information.

Do you have a student who is entering Elementary School? Be sure to check out our Forest Classroom program!

Curious what an average day looks like in the program? Get an insider-look with our Forest Playschool Blog.
Our blog archives can be viewed here: http://greenmountainaudubon.wordpress.com

Registration for the 2023-24 season IS OPEN

If you have questions, you can email Emily Kaplita.

2023-2024 Session

Registration OPEN

Starting in September, we will be offering our Wednesday and Friday Forest Playschool programs again through May! We will have our normal 4-hour program schedule and spend the entire day outdoors.

Wednesday Session

Wednesday program dates:

Fall (14 weeks) September 6th-November 15th and November 29th -December 13th
Winter/Spring (17 weeks) January 17th-May 23rd

We DO NOT meet on the following Holidays or School break

Nov 22nd Thanksgiving Break
February 28th February Vacation Break
April 24th April Vacation Break

Friday Session

Friday program dates:

Fall (13 weeks) September 8th- Novemeber 17th and December 1st-15th
Winter/Spring (17 weeks) January 19th-May 26th

We DO NOT meet on the following Holidays or School break

Nov 10th Veterans Day
Nov 24th Thanksgiving Break
March 1st February Vacation Break
April 26th April Vacation Break

Program Details

Time: The program will run from 9 am to 1 pm. Please pack a lunch and snack!

Tuition: Remaining due after $50 deposit: Wednesday Full year tuition $1190 members/ $1,355 non-members. Friday Full year tuition $1150 members/ $1,300 non-members. Members Save 10%! (You can become a member of Audubon Vermont and the National Audubon Society with a donation of $20 or more. Consider a $35 Membership for your Family: vt.audubon.org/join )

Initial registration is a non-refundable $50 deposit ticket to hold your spot for the Forest Playschool Session and has been accounted for in the total program fee. Once you make a deposit you will be emailed an invoice for your total program fee that can be paid via cash/check.

If you would like to register for only the winter session please select a free "Winter Waitlist" ticket. If we have availablility starting in January you will be contacted (around November).

Financial Assistance

If you need assistance or a payment plan please note that under the "additional information". We have scholarships available, please fill out this form! All registrants must pay the $50 deposit fee, including those interested in scholarships.

**Personal Program Withdrawl**

Please give us as much advance notice as possible of your withdrawl from the program. If you pay up front we will refund you a prorated fee starting 4 session after your withdrawl. If you pay monthly we will still expect you to pay for the following 4 sessions. We are happy to discuss on a case by case basis any withdrawl. When there are forces outside of the family’s control (illness, school, etc.) we are happy to address that when it arises.

**Weather Statement/Cancellation**

This program is entirely outdoors, but for unsafe weather (thunder and lightning, high winds, extreme temperatures) we have access to both rustic and heated spaces. We help children build resiliency and learn to advocate for their needs ("I’m too hot!", "I'm too cold!", "I'm just right!") but that requires proper attire that include items that are waterproof and/or insulated. If proper gear is a barrier to participation, please contact us. Should our local school (Brewster Pierce Memorial) cancel for weather or conditions at the Audubon Center be unsafe, we will cancel. We will let you know by email or phone as soon as possible with the cancellation update. Since this is a fully outdoor program, cancellation due to weather is an inherent risk of the program and there will be no refunds.

**Additional Audubon Cancellation**

For other cancellations within Audubon Vermont's control you will recieve a program credit, or you can transfer your refund to be a tax deductible donation.

Registration Process:

Register online
Contact E mily Kaplita with any questions.
Complete Health Form and Release Form (see "Downloadable Resources" below) and submit to Audubon:Mail: 255 Sherman Hollow Rd, Huntington, VT 05462Fax: 802-434-4686E-mail: e mily.kaplita@audubon.org
Send full payment by check to 'Audubon Vermont.' 255 Sherman Hollow Rd, Huntington, VT 05462 once invoiced

For more information, please contact:
Lead Teacher
Emily Kaplita
(802) 434-3068