Little Tree Kinderhouse

Space available for children over three @ Lakeside Mountain Bluebirds
A Nature-Based Preschool at Lakeside Park

Lakeside Mountain Bluebirds is a nature-based preschool program for children ages 2.5–5, located at beautiful Lakeside Park in Nelson. Our days are rooted in outdoor exploration, gentle rhythms, and relationship-based care, offering children a meaningful balance of time outdoors and time indoors.

Children spend at least four hours outside each day, in all seasons, learning directly from the land through play, movement, curiosity, and hands-on experiences. We use mostly natural, open-ended materials such as wood, stones, pinecones, water, sand, and seasonal found objects, allowing children’s imaginations and problem-solving skills to lead.

Our program is inspired by Forest School, Waldorf, and Pikler approaches, with a strong focus on:
• Child-led play and exploration
• Respect for each child’s developmental pace
• Careful observation and attuned adult support
• Building confidence, resilience, and connection through nature

Indoor time is calm and intentional, offering warmth, rest, creative work, and opportunities for connection. The flow of the day supports children’s need for both movement and regulation, activity and rest.

We value inclusion, community, and creating a space where children feel safe, capable, and deeply connected to the natural world around them.

Program details:
• Ages: 2.5–5 years
• Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Monday thru Friday.
• Location: Lakeside Park, Nelson, BC
• Rate: $34.00 per day for children over three
And $34.45 for children under three
Based on 20 days per month pro—rated over the year.

If you’re looking for a preschool experience that prioritizes outdoor learning, gentle structure, and respectful care, we would love to connect with your family.

For more information or to inquire about enrollment, please contact:
[email protected]
250-551-2542

One of the things I love most about working with young children is remembering that they don’t separate play from learning the way adults often do.

When a child pours, sweeps, carries, stacks, stirs, climbs, spills, tries again, watches, imitates… they are already learning.

They are building coordination, confidence, concentration, problem-solving, relationship, and a sense of belonging in the world.

We don’t always need to make childhood more “educational.”

Sometimes we simply need to protect the space for children to be deeply engaged in living.

At Enchanted Forest, we trust that so much development is already happening inside the ordinary, joyful moments of the day.

We don’t need to rush development.

We can trust it.

✨✨ Mark your calendars! ✨

1. Q&A workshop: Curious about co-op preschools? with Jocelyn Robertson
🗓 June 12 (in person) & June 16 (online)
⏰ 7:00-8:30 pm PT

2. Before Baby™ Course (Hybrid ) with Ida Reid
🗓 June 13 -15
⏰ Friday 5:30 – 7:30 pm (Online)
Saturday 3 – 7 pm (In Person Hollywood)
Sunday 10 am – 3 pm (Online)

3. Open House (in Pasadena) with Kira Solomatova
Come visit our space, meet us, and experience the environment in person.
🗓 Sunday, June 14
⏰ 3:30 – 5:00 PM

4. RIE Foundations: Theory and Observation with Ruth Anne Hammond
🗓 July 10-13 (in person) plus three Wednesdays online
⏰ 9:00 AM-5:00 PM PT

We’d love to welcome you - whether you’re just learning about RIE or already part of our community 🤍

https://open.substack.com/pub/enchantedforestearlyyears/p/the-third-teacher-series-part-two?r=1egut0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

The Third Teacher Series - Part Two: The Cozy Corner What if one of the most important places in your classroom is the one where nothing is expected of a child?

The perspective reminder we all need sometimes. I do! 🌤

Simba grew up in our daycare
right alongside the children.

Curly fur, patient eyes,
little paws following the rhythm of our days.

He’s been hugged too tightly,
tucked into blankets,
fed pretend soup,
and loved by so many tiny hands.

He teaches gentleness,
boundaries, companionship,
and the quiet comfort of simply being near.

Sometimes the children curl beside him after a hard moment,
and somehow he always seems to know.

Our classroom would not feel the same without him.

Just one more warm heartbeat
inside our little community. 🤍

https://open.substack.com/pub/enchantedforestearlyyears/p/the-fruit-plate-snack-time?r=1egut0&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

open.substack.com

Hey Kaslo,
We are dreaming into opening an Infant Toddler Center in Kaslo. I am looking for some feedback and people to put their names on our waitlist.
This is in the information gathering stage to be able to recieve grant funding for opening.
Thank you for showing your interest by joining our waitlist.
Aliyah

Enchanted Forest Childcare Waitlist | Cognito Forms