Early education rooted in the beauty and wonder of nature.
“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.”
~John Muir
Grow where things are wild!
Build resilience, curiosity, and joy – one muddy boot at a time.
At River Song Forest Kindergarten, our “Elderberries” class invites young children into a world of wonder, resilience, and deep connection to the earth. Set in the natural landscapes of Fort Collins, this fully outdoor, Waldorf program blends nature immersion with early childhood rhythms and developmentally appropriate learning.
Whether your child is ready for kindergarten or needs a gentle transition year before entering traditional school, our forest classroom nurtures the head, heart, and hands; outdoors and in all weather.
Natural Literacy & Experiential Learning
Children discover shapes in branches, hear stories of the land, and learn about plants and animals through touch, observation, and play. Learning arises from the world around them, with a curriculum grounded in seasonal change and child led exploration.
All Weather Resilience
At first, being outside all day may be a challenge. But children quickly learn self regulation, responsibility, and confidence in their ability to adapt. With the right layers and gear, our Elderberries grow strong and capable, from the inside and out.
Social-Emotional Growth
Forest life fosters empathy and trust. As children haul wagons, care for shared tools, and pitch in with daily “bus jobs”, they gain ownership, initiative, and care for one another. Problem solving through challenges and with peers they encounter in the wild helps develop the skills to work through conflict for years to come. Much of this arises through modeling by teachers and shared routines.
Developmentally Aligned with Waldorf
Through our accreditation with WECAN (Waldorf Education Association of North America) and drawing on inspiration from European forest schools, our curriculum honors each child’s readiness. The forest and natural areas of our region provide the ideal space for foundational skills in movement, sensory integration, creativity, and storytelling.
Please note: Our recommendation for most children will be two years of kindergarten, especially if transitioning into a traditional public school. We focus on building a strong foundation for later the educational journey to come, including pre-literacy skills, but are not teaching phonics and reading as they do in the public schools so an extra year to build those skills is highly beneficial in their overall development and growth. Children moving from our kindergarten to Mountain Sage Community School’s 1st grade integrate into the next grade well due to the similarity of programs, approaches and philosophies.
Tuition 2025-2026
$1,370/month (8:30-2:00)
$30/day after care (2:00-5:30)
$50 registration fee for new families
Learn more about our tuition and fees here.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?
Check out the FAQ’s at the bottom of the page to get get answers to any questions you have about our school or programs.
To schedule a visit, contact Director Becky Praamsma at 970.407.9185 or email [email protected]
Elderberry Schedule:
Our forest kindergarteners meet Monday-Friday between 8:00am-2:00pm. Their day begins at the school to gather, play, prepare and share morning snack together. They will follow with loading in their mobile classroom (mini-bus) or heading off to one of our beloved walkable locations and they are off on the days adventure!
The children’s day is spent exploring parks and natural areas around Fort Collins. Days are set up with a mixture of free play and natural explorations as well as more focused activities including circle, stories, hand crafts, letter learning, “journaling”, and more.
Indoor locations are planned in the event of extreme inclement weather though most of our days will be spent fully outdoors as they dress for the occasion and bring along their excitement, engagement, and resilience to enjoy and conquer what the day brings.
They will have also have special field trips to farms, pumpkin patches, butterfly house, and more throughout the year to coincide with their seasonal learning.
*After care is available from 2:00-5:30pm back at the school (additional charge for after care – see above).
Forest Kindergarten Details
- A 1:6 teacher to child ratio allows for meeting each child’s individual needs
- Waldorf philosophy partnered with the European Forest School model
- The children’s learning takes place through building on their own interests and discoveries while connecting with the natural world around them and fostering their creativity and imaginations
- Healthy, organic morning snack provided
- Children must be 5 by Dec. 20 to be eligible. Exceptions may be made if space allows.
- Learn more about Forest Schools
What is Forest Kindergarten & Why is it important?
The idea behind outdoor education in early childhood is that children have a strong connection with nature and therefore benefit from an outdoor learning environment. Outdoor education supports the open-ended, self-directed play that is critical for physical and mental development.
Waldorf schools prepare children for the future by:
- developing their full capacities for creative imagination
- encouraging critical thinking
- allowing them to engage with the world around them
- fosters healthy risk-taking for body control, self-confidence, and overcoming obstacles we face.
We follow a curriculum designed to encourage students’ emotional and physical development in addition to their academic development.
Our Curriculum:
How We Learn in the Forest
Circle Time with the Elements ~ Songs, movement, and stories aligned with the rotation of the seasons.
Site-Based Exploration ~ Children learn deeply by staying in one spot for multiple weeks-this year, our class will explore each location for 6 weeks, creating a sense of place and rhythm.
Nature Crafts & Seasonal Celebrations ~ From leaf crowns to snow forts, the forest becomes both canvas and teacher.
Practical Life Skills ~ Packing gear, loading wagons, caring for our outdoor space, and crafting real-world projects all become part of daily learning.
Literacy Skills ~ The children will develop literacy through oral storytelling, rhythm and repetition, introduction of letters through full body experiences, stories, and real-world context.
The principle of flow is important ~ some of our “kinders” may engage the kindergarten experience again the next year as elders, and other friends may move on to 1st grade adventures (best in another Waldorf or homeschool setting). You may rest assured that whichever way a child is inspired to go, he or she will do so with strong foundational skills to empower that journey.
Forest School FAQ
Will my child be “ready” for first grade after a year in Forest Kindergarten?
The short answer is, YES! Especially if continuing on with Waldorf or homeschool programs. Our Waldorf aligned curriculum emphasizes whole child development which supports cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth. Children develop essential pre-literacy, numeracy, and executive function skills through storytelling, hands on activities, and nature based learning. Our graduates are confident, curious, and well prepared for both classroom and lifelong learning.
They may be slightly behind in ‘reading’ than those in public kindergarten but soon catch up, if not exceed, thanks to their strong foundation and love of learning.
How do children learn academic skills without traditional desks, books, or worksheets?
Forest Kindergarten teaches through experiential, play based learning. Children practice math through patterns and counting in nature, build literacy through rich oral storytelling and nature journaling, and develop scientific thinking by observing seasonal changes, animals, and ecosystems. The forest is our living classroom.
Isn’t it too cold (or hot) for young children to be outside all day?
Not with the right gear! One of the first lessons we teach is how to dress in layers and care for ourselves outdoors. Children quickly become surprisingly resilient and take pride in their ability to adapt. We also provide a back up indoor space if conditions ever develop beyond our strict regulations on extreme weather situations.
What if my child doesn’t like getting dirty or isn’t “outdoorsy”?
All children, whether naturally drawn to nature or not, benefit from unstructured outdoor play. We meet each child where they are and gently build their comfort and confidence outdoors over time. Many parents are amazed by their child’s transformation and growing love of the natural world.
How is discipline handled in the forest?
The same as in the classroom. Our approach is rooted in modeling, rhythm, and respectful redirection. Through consistent routines, meaningful work (like carrying gear or helping classmates), and a strong teacher-child relationship, children learn to self regulate, resolve conflicts, and build empathy.
Will my child fall behind in reading or writing?
Quite the opposite. Research and Waldorf philosophy support delaying formal academics in early childhood to focus on foundational skills like language development, gross and fine motor strength, memory, imagination, and emotional maturity. These are the true building blocks for reading and writing success later on.
What kind of teacher leads this program?
We are blessed to have amazing lead teacher in Ms. Oheo and her assistants in Mr. “Z” and Ms. Peyton. Ms. Oheo has 8 years of experience teaching kindergarten at River Song with additional training in the Forest School methodology. All three teachers work together beautifully, bringing their special skills, experiences and educations to enhance this unique program and grow the children with thoughtfully integrated Waldorf pedagogy within a nature based approach.
Is Forest Kindergarten a good fit for children with different temperaments or learning needs?
Yes. The open ended, sensory rich environment of the forest supports a wide range of learning styles. Children who may feel overwhelmed in a traditional classroom often thrive in nature’s calming, unstructured setting.
Can I observe a class before enrolling?
Absolutely! We welcome curious families to attend an open house or schedule a visit to see the Elderberries in action. It’s the best way to feel the magic and see how the outdoor setting fosters growth and daily learning.
Isn’t public kindergarten free? Why would I pay for this?
Yes, public kindergarten is free but Forest Kindergarten offers something unique that many families find deeply important and worthwhile. Our program provides:
- A 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio, meaning your child gets highly individualized attention, support, and guidance.
- A full day, outdoor learning experience that fosters confidence, emotional intelligence, and physical resilience.
- A developmentally appropriate curriculum rooted in Waldorf philosophy, which honors childhood and prepares children for lifelong learning, not just school.
“The magic of Waldorf shines bright at River Song. Our first daughter, after leaving a chain day care, absolutely blossomed with Ms. Shana in Sun Garden. She went on to Elderberries/Forest Kindergarten in her year before starting public school and the transition to a more academic setting was very smooth. She grew and changed so much over her three years at River Song and we’ve adored being a part of this wonderful community. Our second daughter is starting this fall and we couldn’t be more excited.” ~ Matthew Bierwirth
We understand that tuition is a financial investment. Families often tell us that the value of this year of building foundational skills, a love of learning, and a strong sense of self is priceless. We do also offer several tuition assistance options, please visit here to learn more.
