Nature-Based Kindergarten

• Research demonstrates that experiences in nature are beneficial to all areas of development
• This opportunity is one solution to all day EVERYDAY quality programming for kindergarten children in PSD
• This is an excellent learning opportunity for all kindergarten children
• Children will continue in their community kindergarten classrooms as per the PSD Kindergarten Calendar.

This early years opportunity allows children to spend the vast majority of their day outside engaged in meaningful ways with their body, mind and spirit while located in a natural setting. These students will continue with their current Parkland School Division kindergarten programming within their respective community schools.

Working as a group of adventurers, nature-based kindergarten children will be given additional outdoor opportunities by Parkland School Division to be self-directed through their own curiosity and exploration. Using multiple natural learning environments, children will develop confidence in their own abilities to investigate and to collaborate outdoors and within their natural environment. Children will be physically active and engaged in movement skills that will facilitate their balance, stamina and strength.

Children will be supported by trained, certificated teaching staff (for the full-curriculum stream) who follow the Alberta Programs of Study and plan to include activities and learning experiences that occur outside. In order to ensure an optimal environment for the children, a teacher and educational assistant will be available to support the kindergarten students.

The Nature Enrichment stream will be led by experienced recreation staff with support from a qualified educational assistant.

The program is primarily taught at Muir Lake School where staff and students have access to an indoor classroom as well as the outdoor forest classroom. The site offers wide open and treed terrain to form a rich natural learning environment. The children are able to observe a range of wildlife habitats, including a beaver pond.

Nature-Based Kindergarten educators consult the forecast regularly, and weather-related safety is considered in all decisions (e.g. how far to venture away from the outdoor classroom, how long to be outside, etc.). In cases of extreme cold (-23ºC or below, including wind chill) or extreme heat (+30ºC or above), staff will limit students’ length of exposure and constantly assess the children’s comfort and safety (watching for signs of frostbite, hypothermia, heat exhaustion, etc.). An on-site warming shelter (for colder days) and access to indoor shelter, washrooms and learning labs ensure that learning can safely continue in such conditions.

Nature-Based Kindergarten fees are charged on a cost-recovery basis.

• Nature Kindergarten (full-curriculum): No education fee charged to families (Government-funded).
• Nature Enrichment: $450 per month (September through June).

We will strive to accommodate everyone interested in registering for this program on a first-come, first-serve basis. We will be keeping a wait list in case of cancellations or if we get enough registrations for an additional class. If you are interested in having your child on our wait list, please call Muir Lake School at 780-963-3535.