Anonymous wrote:If you choose such a preschool, keep in mind that you child will need the right clothes to keep warm and dry. The traditional coat and hat that most parents send their kids in won't cut it.

Yes, you will need what the Swedish call galonisar or galonbyxor. You'll also need rain mittens like the Reima Puro or the Didriksons Pileglove.

Anonymous wrote:TBH this element is one big reason we are in the suburbs. So many even well regarded DC preschools have no dedicated playground. A couple (SFF, NCRC) do but there’s no guarantee of a spot there. Our suburban preschool has two playgrounds and a huge indoor gym for rainy/snowy days.

Not OP but I don't think a preschool that stays inside for rainy and snowy days would be considered to have a strong emphasis on outdoor play.

Do NOT assume that all Waldorf parents are anti-vaxers. There is this belief that they are all earthy crunchy, anti-vax, breastfeed until 10 years old, wear birkentocks with socks...

And sure, there are some but take the time to visit, ask that hard question of the director at the Waldorfs you visit (a licensed program requires all children to be vaccinated to attend - BUT unfortunately there is a tiny loophole that licensing allows, but I'm not going to tell anyone what it is)

My sister was pleasantly surprised to find every kid vaccinated and no earthy crunchies at her son's Waldorf school!

Anonymous wrote:I think ONS is Outdoor Nursery School: honestly, it was hands-down the best year of DC's education (which has included Montessori, 'Big 3,' an out-of-state independent school, and public ... whew!). Both the space and the philosophy as well as the staff/teachers and other families all made a tremendously wonderful difference for DC and for us as parents. It's reasonably close to NW DC, affordable, and a place of nurture and nature in all the right ways.

Do they have a fulltime program? I'm intrigued but need coverage as we both work. Sorry to be daft but their website didn't have any info, lol.

Anonymous wrote:What's ANS?

Audubon Nature (Pre)School

What's ANS?

Anonymous wrote:Look into Waldorf schools

Sure, if you want anti vaxxers along with your outdoor play

Anonymous wrote:St Columba’s is so great for this. Amazing playground and the kids are outside in all weather often for several hours. We’ve been very happy.

I was underwhelmed by St Columba's playground. There was broken playground equipment, including a ladder with snapped and jagged rungs. We went with ANS

St Columba’s is so great for this. Amazing playground and the kids are outside in all weather often for several hours. We’ve been very happy.

I think ONS is Outdoor Nursery School: honestly, it was hands-down the best year of DC's education (which has included Montessori, 'Big 3,' an out-of-state independent school, and public ... whew!). Both the space and the philosophy as well as the staff/teachers and other families all made a tremendously wonderful difference for DC and for us as parents. It's reasonably close to NW DC, affordable, and a place of nurture and nature in all the right ways.

Look for schools that have outdoor gardens specifically for children. That will give you a hint that kids will be out there a lot.

Anonymous wrote:We love ONS. Worth leaving DC for and not really that far.

What's ONS?

We love ONS. Worth leaving DC for and not really that far.

Anonymous wrote:St. Columba’s does.

+1 -- great playground and emphasis on outdoor time

I have this same question. Our DD is at Audubon Nature Preschool, which we LOVE but we're moving soon and it won't be possible to keep her there. I'd love to know about any DCPS options in NW that have a lot of outdoor play/learning time (especially for PK and K classes).