Learn and grow in our all-outdoor, immersive Forest Preschool, set in an open-air classroom of meadows, streams, and forest trails.
Morning (9:15-12:00) for:
All 5 days a week (Monday - Friday)
3 days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri)
or 2 days a week (Tues, Thurs)
Afternoon(1:00-3:45) for:
All 5 days a week (Monday - Friday
3 days a week (Mon, Wed, Fri)
or 2 days a week (Tues, Thurs)
Our Sessions:
Dates are reflective of the 2025 season
Locations
Brinton Brook Sanctuary has dense woods that give way to hidden creeks filled with frogs and turtles, with large stones and winding paths waiting to be discovered.
Marsh Sanctuary is the perfect combination of forest and field, creating perfect opportunities for education and adventure. The site is home to our garden that features a variety of plants, pollinators and various approaches to plant cultivation.
Prices are standard across all locations and time slots
$860.00 5 days a week
$552.00 3 days a week
$368.00 2 days a week
Want to know more? Scroll to learn about our values, focus, and approach. Or, skip ahead to:
In Forest Preschool, there is no such thing as a wasted opportunity. We let the lessons of the forest guide our day, and our expert naturalists bring equal passions for childhood education and the outdoors to every session. Whether it's seasonal crafts and games, adventures on the dozens of acres of land we have access to, or exposure to the plants and animals of the region, our commitment is to the idea that the best way to educate a young mind is through tactile experiences and the wonders of the woods.
Our Forest Preschool is for ages 2.5 - 5 years old.
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We are committed to providing safe, outdoor programs.
Learn about our sickness policies here >
How old are Forest Preschool students?
Our students are 3 to 5 at the start of the school year.
Does my child need to be potty trained?
Yes. Prior to the start of school, your child must be potty trained.
How many other kids will be in the class?
Your child’s class will be no more than 10 kids, with two staff members on hand at all times.
Do you have any indoor space?
We do not have any indoor space at our preschool locations. While other Forest Preschool programs may spend up to half of their days indoors, we are outside 100% of the time.
How do you build academic skills without a classroom?
The same way kids have for generations, by playing. We build literacy skills through storytelling and reading books that align with our subject matter. A library is a permanent fixture in our open-air school house. Math skills are built every day, from counting gallons of maple syrup to figuring what size sticks we need for our shelter.
How does weather affect the school?
Rain is good, thunder is not! We know kids are tough and adaptable, and we have a thorough packing list that we recommend to every registered family. Therefore we only cancel classes in the event of hazardous weather conditions: active snowstorms, thunderstorms, or lightning; winds above 20 mph; temperatures below 20˝ F; Poor Air Quality. We alert families of cancellation via email and text message, and offer virtual story times on those days. Each monthly payment for Preschool includes one weather cancellation. However, if there are subsequent cancellations due to weather after the first one, a credit of 50% of that day will be applied to your account. This process renews each month.
Does the Rewilding School provide transportation?
No. An authorized adult must always drop off and pick up your child.
What kind of regular communications can parents expect?
At the end of every month we send out a parent newsletter with key information for the next month, and an account of activities from the last month, including some of our favorite plant and animal interactions and adventures, and photos of the kids having fun together.
Are there opportunities for parent involvement?
Twice a year we offer Parent Stewardship Days as a chance for families to get together and give back to our wonderful outdoor sites. The Rewilding School also offers seasonal special events that preschoolers and their families are welcome to attend.
How will Forest Preschool prepare my child for kindergarten?
Our Forest Preschool program focuses on developing healthy emotional and social toolkits, and we've found that our program better enables kids to join larger groups or indoor classroom settings later on. Kids graduate from Forest Preschool with an innate self-awareness and self-confidence, and with great communication and teamwork skills.
What if I need to withdraw my child?
We understand changes happen in families' lives. If a student needs to withdraw early, please let us know via email and we will suspend future payments. No refunds are issued for tuition payments already made.
Do you offer scholarships?
While The Rewilding School does not offer scholarships, if affording Forest Preschool is the primary barrier to your child’s enrollment, please contact us to discuss pricing options.
If my child requires additional assistance, can an aide come along?
Absolutely! Any child with an aide at preschool can bring a non-family
aide to Forest Preschool.
The Rewilding Forest Preschool is not an accredited preschool, and is not licensed as a New York State Childcare Provider. We are not legally affiliated with any school.
A Different
Sort of Classroom
The Forest offers different lessons to be taught, and therefore our outdoor school approaches the concept of the classroom differently. The children are given an open space where their imaginations can take them as far as they like, and the small class sizes allow us to adapt to the needs of each child. What's more, our focus is cultivating imagination and social-emotional growth. Our expert naturalists are full of knowledge of not just the wild nature of Westchester, but also that of each student. They approach every day with a single intention-- to create a stronger bond between their students and the natural world they live in.
A Day In The Life
