Enrollment is Closed

- Until September 2025 -


Enrollment to Nature Tots Forest School is not on a first come, first served basis. We assess all applicants equally. Nature Tots does not discriminate against families on the basis of race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in the administration of its education, admissions, and programs.

Contact Us at [email protected]

Nature Tots Forest School is an in-home business located in Rochester, MN, USA

Forest School Year-Round Program

Hours

M-F Full Week Only
7:30am - 4:30pm
Ages

2 - 5 years old
Capacity

10 Children
Tuition

$1,257 Month
$15,080 Annually

Is My Child Right For Forest School?

When considering forest school, consider the following points:

  • Are you willing to have a positive attitude regarding the weather, no matter the weather?
  • Are you willing to take home dirty clothes and children to wash each day?
  • Would you like your child to experience the social and emotional benefits of spending time outside in nature?
  • Are you looking for a program that focuses on the value of play during this stage of your child's development?
  • Are you comfortable with your child engaging in "risky play"? Please note, there is a difference between hazardous and risky, and the later has been well documented as beneficial for children. A link to an article regarding this is below.
  • Are you willing and able to supply the required clothing needed for children to spend time outdoors in our vast Minnesota weather?
  • Is your child comfortable with being dirty?
  • Is your child capable of doing age-appropriate activities on their own (without the assistance of an adult). For example, putting on one's own shoes and jacket?

At Nature Tots, we want to make sure this style of learning is a good fit for everyone here. That is why we speak with every interested family BEFORE you enroll. We want to make sure we are all a good fit for each other! 

Policy Overview

At Nature Tots Preschool, we're all about embracing the wonders of nature and immersing ourselves in its boundless teachings. We're not afraid to get our hands dirty and explore the world through a nature centric lens, because we know it's the ultimate path to an exceptional education.
This is a brief overview of our policies to help you decide if our program is the best fit for your child.
Enrollment Requirements
  • Children must be at least 24 months old on their first day of attendance. Children are able to be enrolled up until their first day of kindergarten. 
  • A two-week tuition deposit is required at the time of enrollment in order to hold your child's spot. 
  • Because we are a nature-based school, children are required to have certain outdoor items. Expect to spend between $200-300 on outdoor gear and replace as needed. 
  • We only offer full-time enrollment Monday through Friday; 7:30am to 4:30pm.
Class Format
The majority of each class will be spent outdoors in all seasons, rain or shine. The proper attire for all-weather play is critical to keep warm, dry, and ready for action.  Because it is our mission for all children to have access to outdoor learning, we provide many of the needed items in their gear pack. Children will need to bring their own base layers, wool socks, fleece jacket, rain and snow boots.
Academics
Nature Tots Forest School is a “non-academic” program. Instead, we are focusing on creating a rich and memorable childhood through nature based experiences. Our approach to language development is a whole language approach, which lays the foundation of pre-reading skills.

We will be surrounding the child with rich oral language through songs, verses, and stories.
We will not be covering the alphabet or teaching children to read or write.

Potty & Diapering
Children need to be completely potty independent before enrolling into Nature Tots. We schedule in potty time breaks at 8:30am; 10:30am; 12:00pm and 3:00pm into our daily routine. Children are allowed "wee pee" which is urinating outside in a designated area at least 100ft from water that is sufficiently private. We also have a portable camp toilet housed in a privacy pop-tent as well as our inside bathroom. Hands are always washed or sanitized after each potty break.
Rest Time
Children experience an extremely active day at Nature Preschool.  Nap or rest time allows children quiet time alone to decompress.  Each child is supplied with their own Wildkins nap mat.  Feel free to bring a small stuffed animal, tiny blanket and/or pacifier to help them sleep better.  We always play white noise in a dark room that is cool in temperature.  After a 60-minute rest period, children over the age of 4 years old are allowed to get up and participate in quiet activities.
Illness Policy
All illnesses, and the specific policies around them, are different, but we ask that parents keep their children home if they exhibit the following symptoms:
  • An oral temperature of 101 degrees or higher, or axillary (underarm) temperature of 100 degrees or higher; your child should stay home until he or she is fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of fever-reducing medicine.
  • Vomiting at any point in the day.
  • Any rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown
  • Two or more loose stools during the day.
  • A bacterial infection such as streptococcal or impetigo and has not completed 24 hours of antimicrobial therapy.
  • Unexplained lethargy.
  • Lice, ringworm, or scabies that is untreated and contagious to others.
  • Significant respiratory distress.
Closures
In the event of sickness or emergency within the Nature Tot staff, will incur a daily tuition credit rate of $58 per day, credited to your Brightwheel account on the following months tuition.
Inclement Weather Closure
Nature Tots will refer to the Rochester School District for guidelines on closure due to inclement weather, but ultimately, we will make our own decision on inclement weather closures. Snow and weather closures are non-refundable and will not incur a tuition credit.
Communication & Billing
We use the Brightwheel app for ALL communication including messages, calendar, newsletters, learning, meals, daily photos and billing. Payments are due the 1st of each month. Given our limited spaces, it's essential to understand that monthly payments ensure your child's spot, rather than being based on actual attendance. Whether there are late arrivals, early departures, vacations, or sick days, our commitment remains consistent.

To keep things smooth, we calculate the number of attending days over the preschool year and then spread it evenly over the nine months, ensuring you have a consistent payment each month.  For the efficient functioning of our program, we have partnered with Brightwheel for all billing matters. This ensures timely automatic deductions right when they're due.
Pick-up & Drop-Off
Drop-off: 7:30am - 8:30am
Pickup: 3:30am - 4:30pm

Pickup and Drop off windows will be 1-hour at the beginning and end of program start and end time. This is to maximize our outdoor time and keep the program flowing smoothly.

Sign in & Sign out for your child will be managed through Brightwheel.

Enrollment Process

Once you’ve decided that Nature Tots Preschool is the right fit for your child, please add their information to our waitlist by clicking the button below. When our enrollment period begins in mid-April 2025, we will reach out via email to schedule a tour and family meeting. Additionally, if a spot becomes available before the next year’s enrollment, we will contact you directly.
After we are able to meet we'll be sending another email if your child was accepted into our school as we have limited spots.  

We will need these steps completed to finalize your child's enrollment:
  • Finish completely filling out the family account on Brightwheel, which will serve as the primary communication and payment platform.
  • Pay the non-refundable $400 gear fee that holds your spot for the upcoming year.
  • Complete and email all forms to [email protected]
    • Photo Release Form
    • Wading Pool Form
    • Non-Prescription Medication Form
    • Parent-Provider Contract
    • DHS Admission & Arrangements Form
    • Copy of Current Immunizations

Please note that timely submission of all required paperwork and tuition fees is crucial. We will continue advertising and interviewing to fill the next available opening until all paperwork and payment is received.

If our preschool class is already filled, we encourage prospective families to join our wait list. We will contact wait listed families and offer spots as they become available throughout the year.