Are any Nature-based preschools in Bethesda?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://natureforward.org/program/nature-preschool/

Do not recommend. Our family had a very negative experience with this school.

Can you share more about what the negative experience was? Not OP, but was also considering this for next year.

My family did as well, although it was several years ago. They have added staff since then so perhaps it's better now. But the director was a total nightmare.

Agree. Our experience was more recent, but we were incredibly disillusioned with the nature preschool at Nature Forward/Audubon in Chevy Chase. We are big supporters of outdoor and nature preschools and initially loved the campus and preschool classroom. But we were so dissatisfied with the curriculum, the way that the staff interacted with the children, and the professionalism of the organization and administration as a whole - in short, everything about the program. In hindsight, we should have paid more attention to the fact that the nature preschool is not accredited by NAEYC nor is it a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

In my opinion, for these aged 2-5 critical thinking, observation, and love for nature goes far more important than NAEYC accreditation, which is just a check mark for a business and not much for children's development.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://natureforward.org/program/nature-preschool/

Do not recommend. Our family had a very negative experience with this school.

Can you share more about what the negative experience was? Not OP, but was also considering this for next year.

My family did as well, although it was several years ago. They have added staff since then so perhaps it's better now. But the director was a total nightmare.

Agree. Our experience was more recent, but we were incredibly disillusioned with the nature preschool at Nature Forward/Audubon in Chevy Chase. We are big supporters of outdoor and nature preschools and initially loved the campus and preschool classroom. But we were so dissatisfied with the curriculum, the way that the staff interacted with the children, and the professionalism of the organization and administration as a whole - in short, everything about the program. In hindsight, we should have paid more attention to the fact that the nature preschool is not accredited by NAEYC nor is it a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

In my opinion, for these aged 2-5 critical thinking, observation, and love for nature goes far more important than NAEYC accreditation, which is just a check mark for a business and not much for children's development.

+1 we are a year out of our Audubon experience and am so grateful for the experience. My kid is healthy, happy, screenfree by choice, focused and present. They were not behind in the public school curriculum after outdoor school. I'm forever grateful to the school and teachers in guiding my little one in really strange times and providing such a safe harbor

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://natureforward.org/program/nature-preschool/

Do not recommend. Our family had a very negative experience with this school.

Can you share more about what the negative experience was? Not OP, but was also considering this for next year.

My family did as well, although it was several years ago. They have added staff since then so perhaps it's better now. But the director was a total nightmare.

Agree. Our experience was more recent, but we were incredibly disillusioned with the nature preschool at Nature Forward/Audubon in Chevy Chase. We are big supporters of outdoor and nature preschools and initially loved the campus and preschool classroom. But we were so dissatisfied with the curriculum, the way that the staff interacted with the children, and the professionalism of the organization and administration as a whole - in short, everything about the program. In hindsight, we should have paid more attention to the fact that the nature preschool is not accredited by NAEYC nor is it a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

Oh no, what about the summer camp ? We were so excited to sign our kid up for the summer...anyone have feedback on that?
Also could you elaborate on "the staff interacted with the children, the professionalism, administration" piece? What specifically about these things...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you!, yes, I checked with them, and no spots are available for now.

Yes, enrollment for PreK or any school really happens in Jan/Feb typically with school visits usually throughout the fall or early winter. Good luck to you finding an opening now...Why do people not research this stuff...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://natureforward.org/program/nature-preschool/

Do not recommend. Our family had a very negative experience with this school.

Can you share more about what the negative experience was? Not OP, but was also considering this for next year.

My family did as well, although it was several years ago. They have added staff since then so perhaps it's better now. But the director was a total nightmare.

Agree. Our experience was more recent, but we were incredibly disillusioned with the nature preschool at Nature Forward/Audubon in Chevy Chase. We are big supporters of outdoor and nature preschools and initially loved the campus and preschool classroom. But we were so dissatisfied with the curriculum, the way that the staff interacted with the children, and the professionalism of the organization and administration as a whole - in short, everything about the program. In hindsight, we should have paid more attention to the fact that the nature preschool is not accredited by NAEYC nor is it a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

They're fully licensed and inspected
https://www.checkccmd.org/FacilityDetail.aspx?ft=&fn=Audubon&sn=&z=&c=&co=&fi=102357

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://natureforward.org/program/nature-preschool/

Do not recommend. Our family had a very negative experience with this school.

Can you share more about what the negative experience was? Not OP, but was also considering this for next year.

My family did as well, although it was several years ago. They have added staff since then so perhaps it's better now. But the director was a total nightmare.

Agree. Our experience was more recent, but we were incredibly disillusioned with the nature preschool at Nature Forward/Audubon in Chevy Chase. We are big supporters of outdoor and nature preschools and initially loved the campus and preschool classroom. But we were so dissatisfied with the curriculum, the way that the staff interacted with the children, and the professionalism of the organization and administration as a whole - in short, everything about the program. In hindsight, we should have paid more attention to the fact that the nature preschool is not accredited by NAEYC nor is it a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

They're fully licensed and inspected

Accreditation is not the end-all, be-all answer in preschool education. Creativity, critical thinking, and natural observation - cornerstones of development that allow children to become successful in life. These attributes are poorly defined through such means as accreditation. Rather, they are identified through observation and guidance by skilled childcare professionals.

Does the idea of accreditation or non-accreditation affect your decision to place your child(ren) into a childcare center?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://natureforward.org/program/nature-preschool/

Do not recommend. Our family had a very negative experience with this school.

Can you share more about what the negative experience was? Not OP, but was also considering this for next year.

My family did as well, although it was several years ago. They have added staff since then so perhaps it's better now. But the director was a total nightmare.

Agree. Our experience was more recent, but we were incredibly disillusioned with the nature preschool at Nature Forward/Audubon in Chevy Chase. We are big supporters of outdoor and nature preschools and initially loved the campus and preschool classroom. But we were so dissatisfied with the curriculum, the way that the staff interacted with the children, and the professionalism of the organization and administration as a whole - in short, everything about the program. In hindsight, we should have paid more attention to the fact that the nature preschool is not accredited by NAEYC nor is it a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

They're fully licensed and inspected

Accreditation is not the end-all, be-all answer in preschool education. Creativity, critical thinking, and natural observation - cornerstones of development that allow children to become successful in life. These attributes are poorly defined through such means as accreditation. Rather, they are identified through observation and guidance by skilled childcare professionals.

Does the idea of accreditation or non-accreditation affect your decision to place your child(ren) into a childcare center?

I don't need accreditation but I need a licensed facility for sure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thank you!, yes, I checked with them, and no spots are available for now.

Yes, enrollment for PreK or any school really happens in Jan/Feb typically with school visits usually throughout the fall or early winter. Good luck to you finding an opening now...Why do people not research this stuff...

I saw on Facebook there is a new childcare preschool is opening in Bethesda. Greentree preschool near Balducci plaza (across). In the office building of Wildwood Baptist Church. Check with them for spots. www.creative-learning-school.com Ph 240-610-4462. They are saying nature-based.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://natureforward.org/program/nature-preschool/

Do not recommend. Our family had a very negative experience with this school.

Can you share more about what the negative experience was? Not OP, but was also considering this for next year.

My family did as well, although it was several years ago. They have added staff since then so perhaps it's better now. But the director was a total nightmare.

Agree. Our experience was more recent, but we were incredibly disillusioned with the nature preschool at Nature Forward/Audubon in Chevy Chase. We are big supporters of outdoor and nature preschools and initially loved the campus and preschool classroom. But we were so dissatisfied with the curriculum, the way that the staff interacted with the children, and the professionalism of the organization and administration as a whole - in short, everything about the program. In hindsight, we should have paid more attention to the fact that the nature preschool is not accredited by NAEYC nor is it a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

Is the director still there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://natureforward.org/program/nature-preschool/

Do not recommend. Our family had a very negative experience with this school.

Can you share more about what the negative experience was? Not OP, but was also considering this for next year.

My family did as well, although it was several years ago. They have added staff since then so perhaps it's better now. But the director was a total nightmare.

Agree. Our experience was more recent, but we were incredibly disillusioned with the nature preschool at Nature Forward/Audubon in Chevy Chase. We are big supporters of outdoor and nature preschools and initially loved the campus and preschool classroom. But we were so dissatisfied with the curriculum, the way that the staff interacted with the children, and the professionalism of the organization and administration as a whole - in short, everything about the program. In hindsight, we should have paid more attention to the fact that the nature preschool is not accredited by NAEYC nor is it a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

Is the director still there?

any updates on audubon? considering the Acorn program (which is with a parent present so I assume lower risk)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://natureforward.org/program/nature-preschool/

Do not recommend. Our family had a very negative experience with this school.

Can you share more about what the negative experience was? Not OP, but was also considering this for next year.

My family did as well, although it was several years ago. They have added staff since then so perhaps it's better now. But the director was a total nightmare.

Agree. Our experience was more recent, but we were incredibly disillusioned with the nature preschool at Nature Forward/Audubon in Chevy Chase. We are big supporters of outdoor and nature preschools and initially loved the campus and preschool classroom. But we were so dissatisfied with the curriculum, the way that the staff interacted with the children, and the professionalism of the organization and administration as a whole - in short, everything about the program. In hindsight, we should have paid more attention to the fact that the nature preschool is not accredited by NAEYC nor is it a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

In my opinion, for these aged 2-5 critical thinking, observation, and love for nature goes far more important than NAEYC accreditation, which is just a check mark for a business and not much for children's development.

+1 we are a year out of our Audubon experience and am so grateful for the experience. My kid is healthy, happy, screenfree by choice, focused and present. They were not behind in the public school curriculum after outdoor school. I'm forever grateful to the school and teachers in guiding my little one in really strange times and providing such a safe harbor

Omgosh doesn’t it make you giggle to type this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://natureforward.org/program/nature-preschool/

Do not recommend. Our family had a very negative experience with this school.

Can you share more about what the negative experience was? Not OP, but was also considering this for next year.

My family did as well, although it was several years ago. They have added staff since then so perhaps it's better now. But the director was a total nightmare.

Agree. Our experience was more recent, but we were incredibly disillusioned with the nature preschool at Nature Forward/Audubon in Chevy Chase. We are big supporters of outdoor and nature preschools and initially loved the campus and preschool classroom. But we were so dissatisfied with the curriculum, the way that the staff interacted with the children, and the professionalism of the organization and administration as a whole - in short, everything about the program. In hindsight, we should have paid more attention to the fact that the nature preschool is not accredited by NAEYC nor is it a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

They're fully licensed and inspected
https://www.checkccmd.org/FacilityDetail.aspx?ft=&fn=Audubon&sn=&z=&c=&co=&fi=102357

We loved nature forward. My kid aged out but we did kinder there before starting public school. I wish we could have stayed there another 2-3 years. Such an amazing school and people. My kid went from being clinically anxious to bring able to successfully self-regulate thanks to 3 years at nature forward. Can't recommend them enough

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://natureforward.org/program/nature-preschool/

Do not recommend. Our family had a very negative experience with this school.

Can you share more about what the negative experience was? Not OP, but was also considering this for next year.

My family did as well, although it was several years ago. They have added staff since then so perhaps it's better now. But the director was a total nightmare.

Agree. Our experience was more recent, but we were incredibly disillusioned with the nature preschool at Nature Forward/Audubon in Chevy Chase. We are big supporters of outdoor and nature preschools and initially loved the campus and preschool classroom. But we were so dissatisfied with the curriculum, the way that the staff interacted with the children, and the professionalism of the organization and administration as a whole - in short, everything about the program. In hindsight, we should have paid more attention to the fact that the nature preschool is not accredited by NAEYC nor is it a Certified Nature Explore Classroom.

In my opinion, for these aged 2-5 critical thinking, observation, and love for nature goes far more important than NAEYC accreditation, which is just a check mark for a business and not much for children's development.

+1 the actual outdoor space and being in nature is better than any accreditation. The kids have 50 acres to explore