Frequently Asked Questions

How long is a session?

Each session is 4 hours and 15 minuets long.

What is the Educator to Child ratio?

The usual number of children in a session ranges from 5 to 6 with 1 educator. The maximum group size is 8 children, this only occurs when we have sibling groups or if most of the children are returning forest school students with lots of experience in the forest and our program. We will have a second educator or volunteer helping us if we are exploring a new area to provide adequate supervision and ensure the safety of the group.

Can we come for a visit to see if the program is a good fit for our family?

Yes, please contact us in advance to arrange a suitable time. Usually, we set the first month as a trial month.

Does my child have to be potty trained?

Yes. The teachers will help your child with all of their gear if needed but your little one needs to be able to tell us that they have to go and what they need help with. However, accidents still happen and that is ok. We will help your child to change into their clean clothes for emergencies. Please send a Ziplock bag with a change of clothes in your child's backpack for this purpose.

Do you offer a sibling discount?

We do not offer sibling discounts. Our fee structure is designed to ensure that we can maintain the high standards of care, education, and safety that we are committed to providing for all children enrolled in our program. We value your understanding and are happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding our fees or other aspects of our childcare services.

Can my child attended both Morning and Afternoon Session in one day?

Unfortunately, we encourage child participating only in 1 session a day. Also, research indicates that the optimal duration for effective outdoor learning experiences is around 4 hours, allowing ample time for exploration, hands-on activities, and connection with nature. This timeframe aligns with the attention spans and energy levels of our young participants, ensuring they remain engaged and enthusiastic throughout the session. Ultimately, our goal is to provide a holistic and sustainable educational experience and create family and Nature School balance for a child.

Does FFNS provides food for kids?

The Nature School does not provide any meals for kids. Parents and Caregivers must pack their children a snack for every Nature School Session. However, occasionally we organize a cooking class where the children are welcome to taste the food.

How do I dress my child appropriately for a day of Forest School?

We have dedicated a large section of our Parent Handbook to this very detail. Please refer to this for information on all weather types and seasons. Children thrive in the outdoors best when they are dressed in appropriate clothing for the presenting weather.

What happens when the weather is inclement on a day of Forest School?

Please refer to the Parent Handbook which details our inclement weather policy.

If weather is not safe to be outside, but the session is not cancelled, we are going to be inside of our facility for duration of the session. We can cook, do indoors activities and centers.

If weather is dangerously bad we will be cancelling the session. Note that Nature School will typically be cancelled when the School buses are cancelled and School District 69 announces closure. Classes will not be made up due to weather cancellations.

Where can I access current forest school research to help me make a decision about whether Forest school is a good fit for my child/family?

childnature.ca

tactyc.org.uk

How do I know which program to sign my child up for?

As you know FFNS provides 2 programs. Morning Sessions Monday to Friday and Afternoon Sessions Tuesday to Thursday. Both programs are curated for children 2.5 to 5 years of age and both programs provides similar activities and engaging curriculum. Our suggestion is if you are planning to sign up your child for Afternoon Session that they MUST be fully wind off naps and can stay awaike and participating during the sessions.

Is there a great chance of my child getting injured?

Your child may incur minor such as bruises, cuts, and scrapes but the chances of major injuries are low. Educators are trained to assess and manage situations so that all activities are low risk to children. There is a risk of them being exposed to poisonous plants but students will be educated on keeping plants and berries out of their mouths. The area that we will be using the most will be assessed for tree hazards and the site will be checked daily before programming. Our educators are trained in first-aid, CPR, and emergency procedures.

Can my child start part way through the school year?

Yes! Providing there is an open spot, we are happy to welcome children part way through the year.

How is wildlife safety handled?

Every morning before the programs starts, the Director logs onto Wildlife Alert Reporting Program (W.A.R.P) to investigate the most recent reported wildlife activity. If there has been a sighting, the Educators will be notified, and we will go to alternative location which is more safe or stay on Facility territory. While we are in the forest and/or on the beach it is very unlikely that we will encounter a bear and/or cougar. However, our Forest School Leaders are trained in Bear and Cougar Aware Training by Conservation Officers and carry the supplies needed in the case of an encounter. All children are taught our number one rule (“Stay Together!”) and all children will receive age-appropriate bear/cougar awareness training from their educators and sometimes from conservation officer at the beginning of the school year. Our Nature Educators will practice the safety protocols with the children regularly.

Why is the Early Years Program’s monthly tuition the same each month, but the number of program days varies per month through the year?

Although the number of program days per month vary through the year, our monthly tuition is the same price every month, because our program fees are calculated by taking the cost of the entire year (number of program days x daily fee) then divided by 12 to create a standard cost for each month.