List of Nature or Outdoor Daycares and Preschools

[Anonymous]

Hi,

We are new to the area and trying to find a daycare that focuses on spending a lot of time outdoors for our very active 18 month old. I am trying to learn about the variety of options, understanding that the wait list is long at most places and many don't accept kids under 2 or 3. I will throw out there the ones I have heard of, and then please add ones you know, and/or add any experiences you have with any of these.

Thanks so much!

Discovery Woods (Great Falls, VA): http://discoverywoods.org/
Frog Pond (Alexandria, VA): http://frogpondkids.org/
Audubon (Woodend Sanctuary, Chevy Chase, MD): http://www.audubonnaturalist.org/index.php/nature-programs/children-family/audubon-nature-preschool
Outdoor Nursery School (Chevy Chase, MD): http://pk.greatschools.org/maryland/chevy-chase/preschools/Outdoor-Nursery-School/2989/

[Anonymous]

It's a little tricky because some schools have an outdoor focus but only once a week or part of the day. Some schools are full day and others part day or part time. Are you looking for a list of true forest school type preschools where just about all the learning is outside?

[Anonymous]

What happens in the winter?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happens in the winter?

They bundle up and head out!...at least they did at one of the above places DC attended.

[Anonymous]

At My Kids Bloom, the kids spend most the time of each day outside. You can email her at [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Do you mind to share which one your DC attended? How do you like the approach or the school?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What happens in the winter?

They bundle up and head out!...at least they did at one of the above places DC attended.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the thoughts. I am looking for something where he would be outside at least a few hours each day, but preferably more. He is just shaping up to be one of those kids that is SO much happier outdoors than indoors, so I want to try to find the right match for him. The My Kids Bloom suggestion was great -- I will look into that -- thanks. If anyone has other thoughts, I would love to hear them!

Anonymous wrote:It's a little tricky because some schools have an outdoor focus but only once a week or part of the day. Some schools are full day and others part day or part time. Are you looking for a list of true forest school type preschools where just about all the learning is outside?

[Anonymous]

Just how new are you?? Because, it seems from your far-flung list that you must not have ever commuted before in the DC region.

Put another way, no one in their right mind would consider driving to Great Falls OR east Chevy Chase Md OR Alexandria during morning rush hour.

You go to the school near you, basically, and you can't live near all these locations.

[Anonymous]

Cleary, very new. We actually don't even have a place to live yet. I was hoping to find a daycare we like and then move close to it, since it seems harder to get daycare spots than apartments, and if I am happy with where the kid is, I think I will be more productive.

Anonymous wrote:Just how new are you?? Because, it seems from your far-flung list that you must not have ever commuted before in the DC region.

Put another way, no one in their right mind would consider driving to Great Falls OR east Chevy Chase Md OR Alexandria during morning rush hour.

You go to the school near you, basically, and you can't live near all these locations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cleary, very new. We actually don't even have a place to live yet. I was hoping to find a daycare we like and then move close to it, since it seems harder to get daycare spots than apartments, and if I am happy with where the kid is, I think I will be more productive.

Anonymous wrote:Just how new are you?? Because, it seems from your far-flung list that you must not have ever commuted before in the DC region.

Put another way, no one in their right mind would consider driving to Great Falls OR east Chevy Chase Md OR Alexandria during morning rush hour.

You go to the school near you, basically, and you can't live near all these locations.

I would probably find a place to live based on my work commute first (or your SO's), then find a preschool. Except in a few areas (NW DC doesn't have tons; l lot of people use downtown corporate centers, which is probably not what you're looking for), there are a lot of good preschools and daycares. But a long work commute can make for a much more stressful situation.

[Anonymous]

Burgundy Farm Country Day School

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cleary, very new. We actually don't even have a place to live yet. I was hoping to find a daycare we like and then move close to it, since it seems harder to get daycare spots than apartments, and if I am happy with where the kid is, I think I will be more productive.

Anonymous wrote:Just how new are you?? Because, it seems from your far-flung list that you must not have ever commuted before in the DC region.

Put another way, no one in their right mind would consider driving to Great Falls OR east Chevy Chase Md OR Alexandria during morning rush hour.

You go to the school near you, basically, and you can't live near all these locations.

FYI, there are not apartments in Great Falls or Chevy Chase, so you can cross those off your list. Also, I would pick location based on preschool AND elementary/middle/high schools.

[Anonymous]

There are plenty of apartments in Chevy Chase. How dumb at you?

[Anonymous]

Hmm, I would say if you are new you look to live near work and where there are good public school options. THEN you worry about the 2 years of preschool.

[Anonymous]

If you are looking to rent for a couple of years, I don't see why not live near a good preschool. You may want to move though and chances are your DC will have to make new friends at that time.