.png)
Learning In, From, and Through Nature
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you manage risk?
Educators will support children’s desire to experience and navigate healthy risk-taking play in the natural environment. Our risk management protocols include, but are not limited to:
● Constantly assess risk as conditions change (dynamic risk assessment) and conduct regular risk/benefits assessments of site and activities. (Done daily and dynamically as the environment changes both with and without the children.)
-
Clearly define boundaries and safety agreements, and remind children as needed.
-
Children respond to a call or sound to stay within view of the educators at all times.
-
Intentionally observe the children’s interactions with each other and with nature in order to anticipate and respond appropriately if a situation arises.
-
Spot the children during more challenging physical activity (ex. balancing on a log, etc.).
-
Gently redirect the children to safer activities, if required. (If Wild Journey Forest School educators observe that the children’s play is becoming hazardous and/or not following the Wild Journey Forest School safety agreements and boundaries, the children will be redirected and reminded of the safety agreements established as a group.)
How do you handle inclement weather closures?
Staff actively monitor real-time, on the ground and forecasted weather. Judgements are made as to the effect on the program’s location. We will also monitor the forecast ahead of each day. In rare situations, WJFS may opt to close due to severe weather as running programming outdoors in such conditions may pose a hazard to the safety of both children and adults. If we need to close due to hazardous weather, the director will reach out to families, typically prior to 7:30 am to notify of our closure for the day. In these circumstances, the closure is likely due to extreme hot or cold temperatures, a high winds advisory (typically around 30mph or above), tornado watches and warnings, or severe and prolonged lightning storm forecasts. When a sudden weather change warrants that WJFS runs programming under shelter, educators will continually assess the outdoor environment for safety, and return only once they are certain the hazardous weather has passed.
Are you a school?
No, we are not a school. We are a nature-connection enrichment program. We supplement the learning of homeschooling families, as well as other families looking to provide their child(ren) with meaningful enrichment experiences in nature. Our program provides families with an accessible and dynamic way to immerse their children in the beauty and wonder of the natural world, while providing social-emotional, physical, cognitive and language skills . We use the word “school” to describe our alignment with forest school pedagogy and our community, which brings together families who have a shared interest in immersive nature-based learning. We strive to offer a place of growth and discovery for children to engage in self-directed play, create, explore, and learn. We focus on building relationships, learning from the land, and fostering a community of support and respect for all.
Why are you called a "Forest School"?
Our program activities and structure are based on the foundations of immersive, all-weather, place-based, learning through hands-on nature play, inherent in forest school pedagogy (Waldkindergarten). We use the term "forest school" to describe our alignment with it's nature-based educational approach. We believe in learning in, from, and through the natural world as a means of helping children grow, and develop necessary skills for a successful future, while building a connection with the land.
Are children required to be potty trained?
Children are not required to be toilet trained. Staff will follow the lead of the child and parents in regards to toilet training. In the event of a wet diaper, staff will change the child’s clothes and place the soiled clothes in a bag to be sent home. WJFS will not wash soiled items.
WJFS requires parents to supply diapers, wipes, and diaper cream for their children who are not fully toilet trained. If using pull-ups, please make sure they are the ones with velcro side tabs.