Forest School

Tykes and Tots is pleased to offer a Forest School opportunity for children ages 3 to 6. This outdoor learning environment is based out of our childcare centre located on Heritage Way and offers children the opportunity to deeply explore nature and the outdoor environment while developing their social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional aspects.

Tykes and Tots follows the principles of play and exploration as set out by the Ministry of Education.

Register for Forest School Summer Camp

Learn More About Forest School Summer Camp

Come Explore and Climb With Us!

Tykes and Tots Forest School program offers an outdoor education program for children ages 3 – 6. Your children spend extensive time outside exploring nature and the many urban forests in the surrounding neighbourhood parks. We incorporate the concepts of the Ministry of Education Early Learning Program Guide – a play-based curriculum focusing on the holistic development of the child.

Forrest School is guided by qualified staff, the children will learn to identify animal tracks, insects, plants, and trees, and learn about environmental stewardship. Our program is led by Early Childhood Educators that want to share their love and passion for connecting children to nature and spending time outdoors with children who enjoy exploring and learning.

Our low child-to-staff ratio (10 children to 2 staff) allows children to explore and learn different skills safely. These skills include building simple shelters, using basic tools, and learning about various survival topics like what to do should you become lost.

We are excited to run two Forest School Programs:

A 12-week program on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This program is run out of our Lakewood location on Heritage way. The cost is $480 per session per child. Each session is a 12-week block with 24 classes.

A full-year program on Monday and Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. out of our Pope John Paul II location. This program will follow the school year and be offered from October to June. The cost is $160.00 per month for 9 months.

For more information or to register, please click on the attached documents below.

You can also contact Denise Skuce via email at dskuce@tykesntots.ca if you have specific questions. Registration will be confirmed after applicants complete an information session with Denise.

Forest School Parent Handbook

Register for Forest School

Forest School Summer Camps

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for our Forest School summer camp program.

This program is separate from our regular summer school-age programming.

Every week will include traditional Forest School practices and cover the 8 areas of risky play. The 8 areas are great heights, great speed, tool use, play near dangerous elements, rough and tumble play, disappearing, play with impact, and vicarious play. All of this includes true play, with deep and uninterrupted engagement in the activity of one’s own choice. We chose to have a focus each week to create a better connection to the space that we live, play and grow on. All sessions run 8:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. If you are in need of an earlier drop-off or later pick up please email me. We may or may not be able to accommodate you.

Week 1: Once Upon a Time

July 4 – 7, Robert Hunter West Park $240

This week will focus on small-world play which offers children a chance to build their vocabulary and language skills, enhance their creative thinking, and develop storylines while recreating stories they have experienced.

Week 2: Ecosystems and me

July 10 – 14, Robert Hunter West Park $300

This week we take a closer look at the flora and fauna around us to learn how we are all connected and how our choices affect the environment.

Week 3: Bushcraft Tools

July 17 – 21, Robert Hunter West Park $300

This week will focus on tools. Creating tools with natural materials, building things with those self-made tools, and proper tool safety.

Week 4: Food Foraging and Fun

July 24 – 28, Gabriel Dumont Park $300

This week we learn about what Nature can provide us including how to identify plants, bushes, and berries. We will learn about the purpose they have in our environment, how to use a solar oven, and how to prepare foods from nature.

Week 5: Connect to Nature

July 31 – August 4, Robert Hunter West Park $300

This week we want to take a pause and deeper look at the beauty of Nature, through meditation, yoga, art, journaling, and photography

Week 6: The Land Beneath Us

August 8 – 11, Gabriel Dumont Park $240

This week will offer an opportunity to look at the history of where we came from. Researching the history of the space, coming from a geological, societal, and Indigenous perspective.

Week 7: Survivor Skills

August 14 – 18, Robert Hunter West Park $300

This week we will be learning about First Aid situations, what to do when lost, and fire and water safety. We will also learn how to prepare for outdoor excursions such as hiking and camping.

Week 8: I Spy

August 21 – 25, Robert Hunter West Park $300

This week we will be taking a closer look into nature: the birds, the insects, examining life cycles, etc. We will learn such things as how a decomposing tree becomes housing and nourishment to the plants and wildlife.

Week 9: Forest School

August 28 – 31, Gabriel Dumont Park – $240

This final week we will be incorporating the summer together, creating solo and team challenges on topics we have already explored.

Register for Forest School Summer Camp

Get In Touch

Do you want more information before deciding if one of Tykes and Tots’ programs is right for your child? Send us a message and one of our management team will reach out to you as soon as they can.