NATURE-BASED EDUCATION
Bell Creek Nature School approaches education through discovery, cooperation, exploring, and problem-solving. We spend everyday outside, rain, shine or snow. A little bit of water and mud doesn’t keep us from learning and experiencing the world. On days when the weather may seem unfavorable to most, we typically have the most fun and are presented with learning opportunities that we would otherwise miss out on while staying indoors. Our top priorities include fostering curiosity, kindness, self-confidence, resilience, and a love for learning and nature!
For more on our teaching philosophy, please read on here.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Enrollment will open March 1st for the 2024-25 school year.
Our Forest Preschool classes are full for the 2023-24 school year. Please email us at enroll@bellcreeknatureschool.com with questions.
Forest preschool students must be 3.5 – 6 years old and potty trained.
Programs for additional age groups:
2024-25 TUITION AND SCHEDULE
Schedule:
- Half Days Available: Mondays, Wednesdays, (9:30am – 1:00pm)
Full Days Available: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays (9:30am-3:00/3:30pm)
Tuition (2024-25)
- 2 half days per week: $350/month ($3,150/year)
2 full days per week: $550/month ($4,950/year)
3 full days per week: $800/month ($7,200/year) - Full time (3 full days + 1 half day): $950/month ($8,550/year)
Please inquire about other unique schedule combinations.
A 5% discount is applied for the second sibling.
Bell Creek Nature School is a licensed outdoor preschool and therefore families are eligible to apply for subsidy benefits to help with tuition costs. You can find information at Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families or go directly to the online application through the Washington Connections Application. You can also call the DCYF Subsidy Contact Center directly at 1-844-626-8687.
2022-23 Forest Preschool Session:
- Half Days: Monday-Thursday from 9:30a-1:00p
- Full Days: Monday,Tuesday,Thursdays from 9:30a-3:00/3:30pm
- Enrollment options include 2-4 days/week
- Maximum class size of 14 students accompanied by 3 teachers.
We’re fortunate to be located on an ideal piece of property in Deming, WA. Depending on the students’ interests for the day we may:
- Explore Bell Creek – here we’ll discover scores of fish eggs, tad poles, and miniature waterfalls; not to mention many gravity and water-based experiments
- Wildlife Quest – on 10+ acres we’ll search for salamanders, frogs, insects, and spot bald eagles and other birds
- Daily Hikes – on our series of trails we’ll get great exercise while finding different types of mushrooms, flowers, and ferns
- Nature Art & Recycled Crafts – utilizing recycled materials and what nature provides
- Natural Building – working together, we’ll construct forts, waterways, and natural obstacle courses
2023-24 School Calendar
- First Day of School: Tuesday, September 5th
- Labor Day: School Closed September 4th, 2023
- Fall Break: School Closed November 20 – 24, 2023
- Winter Break: School Closed December 18, 2023 – January 5, 2024
- Martin Luther King Day: School Closed January 15, 2024
- President’s Day: School Closed January 19th, 2024
- Spring Break: School Closed April 1-5, 2024
- Memorial Day: School Closed May 27th , 2024
- Last day of school: May 30th, 2024
The best part about attending Bell Creek Nature School is that we get to be outside every day! Because of this we need to ensure every student arrives to school each day properly outfitted. In our experience the below items are the best-of-the-best. However, when enrolling, we advise that you wait for our required gear list before purchasing items for school.
- BOGS boots – great neoprene boots guaranteed to keep kids warm and dry
- Oakiwear rainwear – Rain pants, jackets, and one-piece rain suits to protect the little ones from rainfall and mud puddles!
- Puddlegear, Reima, Helly Hansen, Celavi, Polarn O. Pyret – all make great quality rain gear!
- SmartWool socks – keeps us warm throughout the day
Upon enrollment we provide a detailed gear list that includes coupons and discounts. Feel free to ask us for more recommendations. We’ve outfitted scores of kids in all types of weather and have a good sense of what works and what may not. Please note: we also have a small supply of loaner boots and jackets. If you’re unable to obtain the above, let us know and we may be able to help.