Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Check for Openings And Register?
You can check for openings on the registration page as well as register for classes or waitlists.
You can check for openings on the registration page by selecting your location, then class as well as register for classes or waitlists.
Please contact us with any registration questions.
What is the cost of tuition?
Tuition is $160/month per day your child is registered for. (example: $320/month for Tue/Th classes)
Please refer to Family Handbook for tuition information
Mixed Age Groups and Choosing the Right Class
Our program is mixed-age program (ages 2.5 – 5 for PreK & 5-10 for Jr. Explorers) with children learning and playing together.
Having multiple ages together allows for advanced interpersonal dynamics and a more cohesive community. Younger students are able to push their boundaries and knowledge while getting the modeling and support of older children who get to practice leadership skills, patience and delegating power.
Having multiple ages together allows for advanced interpersonal dynamics and a more cohesive community.
Choosing the right class at PNWK Forest School depends on your child’s age and your family’s schedule. We recommend finding a class time that works best for you.
In mixed-age classes, younger children can learn from older peers, which helps them gain confidence and try new things. Older children benefit by developing leadership and empathy as they guide younger classmates.
Whether your child is younger or older, they will have plenty of chances to grow and connect. Mixed-age settings encourage learning, cooperation, and a strong sense of community for everyone.
Using Brightwheel as a PNWK Family
PNWK Forest School utilizes Brightwheel for all communication. The software offers a mobile application for easy sign-in/out and communication with teachers. Your child’s teacher will share photos on the Brightwheel mobile application for you to view.
Learn more about Brightwheel here.
Find or edit family check in/out code
Complete / find forms as a parent
Add / edit contacts and approved pickups as a parent
Find shared documents as a parent
How is being outdoors beneficial to my child?
Recent studies have exposed the benefit—even necessity—of spending time outdoors, both for kids and adults. Nature play builds confidence; promotes creativity and imagination; teaches responsibility; provides stimulation; gets kids moving; makes them think harder; reduces stress and fatigue; and can benefit grades.
Recent studies have exposed the benefit—even necessity—of spending time outdoors, both for kids and adults. Nature play builds confidence; promotes creativity and imagination; teaches responsibility; provides stimulation; gets kids moving; makes them think harder; reduces stress and fatigue; and can benefit grades.
What will my child be learning in class?
School readiness is much more than memorizing facts and figures — it’s knowledgable application, innovation, creative thinking, and a positive disposition for learning. This is why, At PNWK, we focus equally on all aspects of development — cognitive, physical, and social-emotional. We believe in the importance of nature appreciation, team work, communication skills, self sufficiency, confidence, positive thinking and more.
We investigate monthly themes which are broken up into weekly segments.
Example: September’s theme is Fall
Week 1: The changing of the seasons
Week 2: Coniferous vs. Deciduous Tree Studies
Week 3: Seed Dispersal / Fall plants
Week 4: Leaves - how & why are they changing?
Each month you will receive at home resources that follow along with our in class themes. We also utilize emergent curriculum, allowing for student interests to be followed and explored further.
School readiness is much more than memorizing facts and figures — it’s knowledgable application, innovation, creative thinking, and a positive disposition for learning. This is why, At PNWK, we focus equally on all aspects of development — cognitive, physical, and social-emotional. We believe in the importance of nature appreciation, team work, communication skills, self sufficiency, confidence, positive thinking and more.
Each month you will receive at home resources that follow along with our in class themes. We also utilize emergent curriculum, allowing for student interests to be followed and explored further.
Will my child learn to read and write in class?
”Early literacy involves many interrelated skills, including oral language comprehension, print knowledge and phonological awareness.”
At PNWK, children’s language development and literacy skills are nourished through daily activities, dialogue and play. The first step to learning to read is learning to think symbolically. Using lose parts in play allow for this unique skill to be developed. Sticks become wands, stumps transform into castles and rocks become eggs. This creativity is necessary for weaving sound, reading, and writing into experience in meaningful ways.
Outdoor classrooms provide a high degree of connectivity between all modes of learning, laying the foundation for literacy by treating it as an integrated, relevant, joyful part of students’ development.
”Early literacy involves many interrelated skills, including oral language comprehension, print knowledge and phonological awareness.”
At PNWK, children’s language development and literacy skills are nourished through daily activities, dialogue and play. The first step to learning to read is learning to think symbolically. Using lose parts in play allow for this unique skill to be developed. Sticks become wands, stumps transform into castles and rocks become eggs. This creativity is necessary for weaving sound, reading, and writing into experience in meaningful ways.
Outdoor classrooms provide a high degree of connectivity between all modes of learning, laying the foundation for literacy by treating it as an integrated, relevant, joyful part of students’ development.
Early Literacy in the Outdoor Classroom
Outside Play is Crucial for Emerging Readers and Writers
Does rain affect class?
At PNWK we don’t believe in bad weather, we dress for for the climate and have fun no matter what! It’s important to make sure your child is sufficiently dressed (thin clothing when hot, layered clothing when cold, an outer waterproof layer and rain boots when raining). On rainy days, we have fun making mud pies & playing in puddles as well as gaining resiliency and analytical skills by walking along slippery logs and climbing wet trees.
At PNWK we don’t believe in bad weather, we dress for for the climate and have fun no matter what! It’s important to make sure your child is sufficiently dressed (thin clothing when hot, layered clothing when cold, an outer waterproof layer and rain boots when raining). On rainy days, we have fun making mud pies & playing in puddles as well as gaining resiliency and analytical skills by walking along slippery logs and climbing wet trees.
What do we need to pack daily?
Students must be sent to class in weather appropriate clothing daily as well as with the following items:
- Backpack (this will mainly be in an undercover area)
- Water bottle (or thermos during cold weather)
- Composition style notebook in waterproof/ziplock bags
- Pencil box with crayons, pencil, glue stick & tape
- Extra weather appropriate clothing in waterproof/ziplock bags: socks (x3), pants, undies, shirt, beanie, gloves/mittens. As it gets colder you will also need to pack spare: waterproof gloves, thin gloves/mittens (x3), wool socks (x3), reusable hand warmers (x2)
- Snack/lunch - NUT FREE
- 2 clean washcloths in ziplock bag
Students must be sent to class in weather appropriate clothing daily as well as with the following items:
-Backpack
-Your child must be able to carry their backpack independently. (12-18L)
—Chest clips are highly recommended
-Full reusable water bottles
-Snacks in reusable containers (NUT FREE)
-Full set of clean clothes
-2 clean washcloths in ziplock bag
-Journaling supplies
—Composition Notebook in waterproof/ziplock bags
—Pencil bag with 8 crayons, pencil, glue stick & tape
Visit our website for a full list of Gear & Clothing requirements and suggestions here.
How can we prepare for classes?
- Please label ALL belongings (coats, jackets, sweaters, gloves, pencil boxes, etc.) clearly with your child’s name. Many students have the same gear and this can cause confusion and frustration amongst them.
- Practicing your before-school routine can help your child feel more confident on the first day and be able to jump right into class.
- Practice proper hand washing (20 seconds with soap and water).
- Be sure to review our parent handbook and let us know if you have any questions
Please label ALL belongings (coats, jackets, sweaters, gloves, pencil boxes, etc.) clearly with your child’s name. Many students have the same gear and this can cause confusion and frustration amongst them.
Practicing your before-school routine can help your child feel more confident on the first day and be able to jump right into class.
Practice proper hand washing (20 seconds with soap and water).
Be sure to review our Family Handbook and let us know if you have any questions
What if I need to withdrawal from class?
If you need to withdraw from a class for any reason, we ask that you complete a Withdrawal Form. Please view the form and Withdraw Policy Here.
Withdrawal Form & PolicyIf you need to withdraw from a class for any reason, we ask that you complete a Withdrawal Form. Please view the form and Withdraw Policy Here.