Daycare near Forest Hills uses forest as a classroom

  • 2018-09-13
A new daycare in Kew Gardens, near Forest Hills, believes that children learn best when they are outdoors.

Kew Kids Forest School has transformed Forest Park into a giant outdoor classroom. The daycare program has a child-led curriculum designed to help children develop linguistically and cognitively through exploration of the natural world around them. Programs also focus on art, math, music, and other creative pursuits. Since the program is student-led, teachers in the program act more like guides than leaders.

Jessica Halrsud, the school's director and founder, told the Forest Hills Times that children in the program learn math and language skills through the use of natural materials. She said:

“There are tons of sensory experiences where kids can learn science by doing things like mixing dirt and water to make mud. They’re learning how to measure and count in a natural environment.”

The school is part of an expanding preschool movement to offer nature-based education. It's a member of the Natural Start Alliance and Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools.

Daycares and schools that use the great outdoors to teach children can use brochure printing to explain their goals and plans to parents.

So far, Kew Kids Forest School is the only licensed daycare center with a forest program in all of New York City.

The program meets year round and parents are encouraged to dress their children for the weather and to send along appropriate gear, such as snow pants and wool socks in the winter. The program moves indoors in the event of extreme weather.