FAQs

What services do you offer?

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We offer a private school program for kindergarten to grade 8 and a licensed before and after school childcare including PD days and school breaks for 13 kindergarten aged kids and 13 elementary school aged kids.

When Do I Register?

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We welcome registration at any time during the school year; however, classroom spaces are limited. Registering early guarantees your child’s spot and allows us to prepare the classroom with the appropriate materials to ensure a successful start to the school year..

How Do I Register?

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To register:

  1. Click the register now button in the top right corner.

  2. Email us to confirm your intent to enroll your child for the upcoming school year.

You will receive a confirmation email along with an invitation to join our online communication platform, Storypark.

We also offer a complimentary trial day so your child can become familiar with their teacher and classmates and get a feel for things before they register.

Why Choose a Private School Over a Public School?

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Families choose our school for many reasons, including:

  • Small class sizes that allow for individualized attention and strong relationships.

  • A close-knit community atmosphere with meaningful family involvement.

  • Qualified and experienced educators, including certified Forest School practitioners.

  • A calm, quiet learning environment with a low teacher-to-student ratio (approximately 7:1).

  • Daily access to the forest and ample unstructured, child-led outdoor play.

  • Opportunities for healthy risk-taking, building resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills.

  • Longer lunch breaks to encourage healthy eating habits (allergy-aware policies are implemented when required).

  • A commitment to inclusion and accessibility, while maintaining high-quality, hands-on learning materials.

  • Flexible attendance options, including part-time enrollment.

  • Regular field trips and community exploration, made affordable through small-group travel using public transit.

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How Much Is Tuition?

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We keep costs manageable by operating a licensed childcare program that shares daily expenses, purchasing high-quality “previously loved” materials, and benefiting from the support of dedicated volunteers.

Our tuition is comparable to the cost of daycare or summer day camp. We do not charge administrative or hidden fees.

Tuition Rates:

  • Daily: $55 (part-time or full-time)

  • Weekly: $275

  • Monthly: Based on the number of school days in the month

If you do not require care on PD Days, you will not be charged for those days. Statutory Holidays are billed.

Tuition Assistance
If tuition is a barrier, assistance may be available. We will meet with your family to discuss options. Families receiving tuition support are asked to contribute volunteer time to help offset program costs. Please speak with us to explore what may work for your family.

Is There a Commitment Required?

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What If the Weather Is Bad?

No long-term commitment is required.

While we hope students remain with us throughout their elementary years, we understand that family circumstances change. If you need to withdraw or adjust your child’s schedule, written notice must be provided before the 15th of the month (prior to invoices being issued).

Once an invoice has been issued and payment processed, refunds are not available.

What Are Your Hours?

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During the school year (September to June) we are open as follows:

  • School Day: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (flexible arrival and dismissal; no bells)

  • Childcare Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday

School students receive priority placement in our before- and after-school childcare program. Childcare subsidy may be available through DNSSAB.

We follow the public-school board calendar, including holidays and PD Days.

During non-instructional days such as March break, PD days and summer months we open only for the childcare full day from 7:30-5:30.

What Curriculum Do You Follow?

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We follow the Ontario Curriculum while embracing the Forest School philosophy, prioritizing outdoor and experiential learning.

Our mixed-age classrooms encourage peer learning and allow children to develop at their own pace. Small class sizes and low ratios enable us to tailor learning to each child’s strengths, interests, and needs.

We value curiosity and child-led inquiry, helping students discover subjects they love while ensuring a broad and balanced educational foundation.

We believe there is no such thing as bad weather—only inappropriate clothing.

Students go outside daily unless there is thunder, extreme cold (approximately -30°C), or an emergency weather warning. Proper outdoor gear is essential. If needed, we have extra gear available to ensure all children can participate safely.

The forest is one of our classrooms.

Children should arrive in comfortable, season-appropriate clothing that can get dirty. A labeled spare change of clothes should be kept in your child’s cubby. Indoor shoes are required and must be worn at all times while indoors for safety.