If you are starting a new forest or nature preschool program this fall (including childcare and home school classes), our intensive 12-clock hour Forest and Nature Preschool Boot Camp can help you get started! We address a range of topics including:

• Honing your vision, mission, and educational philosophy
• Establishing program basics like daily rhythm, class sizes, schedules
• Business planning/determining a business structure
• Locations and partners 
• Licensing considerations
• How to set tuition, compensate staff, and create a program budget
• Policies and practices for your parent handbook
• Creating greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in your program
• Safety and risk management, including liability insurance needs
• Finding and hiring great staff
• Marketing your program
• Evaluation

Your course facilitator is Monica Wiedel-Lubinski, director of ERAFANS, founder/cofounder of three nature preschool programs in Maryland, coauthor of Nature Play Workshop for Families, and consultant to countless others starting forest and nature schools in the U.S. and abroad. Guest presenters will also share perspectives for select topics during the three-day course.

The format of this interactive course is a combination of facilitated discussion, small group work among participants, and asynchronous independent learning experiences. As you might imagine, this is an intense course because we cover so much ground in a short span of time. You will want to plan time between our sessions to consider what we discuss. Please note this is not a prerecorded, on demand course. It is interactive so we can learn together! Are you ready to take the leap?

SCHEDULE
Wednesday: 
Self-directed reading/planning for one-hour
Facilitated discussion and topics, 6-9 p.m. (EST)

Thursday:
Cohort meeting for one-hour (TBD based on group needs)
Self-directed reading/planning as needed
Facilitated discussion and topics, 6-9 p.m. (EST)

Friday:  Cohort meeting for one-hour (TBD based on group needs)
Self-directed reading/planning as needed
Facilitated discussion and topics, 6-9 p.m. (EST)

Upon registration, we will provide you with a complete list of materials needed for the course.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This course is ideal for anyone establishing a forest or nature preschool program, which may include a child care or home school model. Whether your program is in a rural or urban setting, this course will offer essential information so you can get right to it. Feel free to reach out to Monica with questions.