Welcome to Nature Tots Preschool - Rochester, Minnesota's Premier Forest School Experience!
We offer year round, full-day learning for children 24 months to kindergarten.  Nestled amidst 11-acres of forest, we provide an enriching and adventurous environment where young minds explore, learn, and grow that merges nature and knowledge!

What is Forest School?

This innovative approach to education traces back to Germany's original Kindergarten, founded in 1837 by Friedrich Fröbel. The model nurtured children like "plants in a garden," prioritizing individual learning needs and emotional development with nature as the primary educational tool. However, as World War I approached, education shifted towards a more structured, indoor centric model, emphasizing language and math. Despite increasing standardization and "academification" of early childhood education in the US, educators began advocating for more nature-focused, inquiry-based learning, inspired by European Forest Schools. Today, over 500 Forest Schools operate across the country, demonstrating a growing demand for this developmentally appropriate, evidence-based approach to education.

The Benefits of Outdoor Learning

When integrated with traditional learning methods, offers a myriad of benefits. It encourages experiential learning across various subjects like science, mathematics, engineering, literacy, writing, and art, enabling children to apply the scientific method in real-world contexts. This educational approach cultivates independence, emotional intelligence, and a sense of community, focusing on the holistic development of the child rather than solely on academic milestones. Research has shown several positive outcomes for children such as enhanced retention, enhanced resilience and critical thinking abilities, improved problem-solving and spatial skills, sustained pro-environmental behaviors into adulthood and so much more!
Nature Tots Forest School offers an outdoor preschool program for children 2-5 years old. We have daily creative art projects and guided learning activities but are committed to nature immersion, flow learning, and authentic play above all else. We believe in intentionally slowing down to promote mindfulness, kindness, social connection, as well as self-empowerment. Our aim is to stimulate children’s innate curiosity, while fostering compassion and empathy for the earth and all living beings. We act as guides, modeling engagement in nature by using inquiry-based teaching strategies, making observations, and documenting learning.

Our nature preschool program runs year round; September through August
7:30am to 4:30pm        Monday through Friday

Our Daily Routine

Down our charming gravel road, our lively nature tots start each day with a leisurely mile walk through a beautiful trail in the woods, we enjoy a shared snack and bond during our gathering circle.  Through immersive nature exploration, children guide their own learning with our guided support. Our curriculum focuses on social and emotional development, evolving naturally from teamwork, problem-solving, and playtime.  With a maximum of 10 children and comfortable 5:1 teacher to child ratio, we provide the flexibility and patience to allow an organic and child-centered curriculum to blossom. Our free-range approach fosters a unique childhood experience, promoting mindfulness and self-empowerment. 

"Sometimes, when we can't seem to push ourselves through an obstacle, our grit and resiliency shows us that we can go around, over, or under... this is how we cultivate a growth mindset."

Meet Ms. Amber

With 10+ years of experience in childcare, I take pride in my job and truly enjoy it. Alongside my wonderful husband and three school-age children, I am also a proud owner of a lovable golden retriever. I like to start my day with a cup of coffee and engage in hobbies such as golfing, gardening, and painting. My personality is best described as patient, easy-going, and caring. Exploring nature with my little friends has been an absolute dream job, and I look forward to continuing to nurture and support their growth.

Land Acknowledgement

Nature Tots Preschool is located in Mni Sota Makoce (Minnesota), which holds deep significance as the ancestral territory of the Wahpeton tribe, integral members of the esteemed Oceti Ŝakowiŋ — The Seven Council Fires alliance. Within this alliance, the Wahpeton people played a vital role as part of the Santee tribe. While acknowledging that words alone are insufficient, we wholeheartedly extend our gratitude and profound respect to the land and its original guardians, the Wahpeton People.