Vision & Mission
Forest Hills Private School & Retreat Center strives to provide children with opportunities to practice risk-taking, critical thinking, and artistic expression. Our vision is to provide alternative education rooted in Waldorf processes and Forest Schooling principles, that serves the spiritual, emotional, physical and intellectual gifts of all children.
Waldorf Inspired Curriculum methods
A Waldorf approach to curriculum concepts allows for a learning process that encompasses creativity, imagination, and the individual artistic qualities of each child. Children experience learning with their hands (willing), their heart (feeling) and then their head (thinking). We apply the Christopherus Homeschool Resources program for main lessons that encompasses Rudolf Steiner methodology. Learn more about Waldorf here: What is Waldorf Education? Waldorf in a Nutshell - YouTube
Forest School Principles
Incorporating Forest School learning philosophies into our program encourages play, exploration and supported risk-taking. These values help to foster a deep connection to nature, promote curiosity for all living things, and build self-confidence. Learn more about the principals of Forest School here: 2020 Principles of Forest/Nature School (childnature.ca)
Mindfulness, Yoga Movements & Breathwork
With daily breathwork, yoga movements and mindfulness practices, children are given the opportunity to turn inward and ground throughout their day. Practices such as EFT “tapping”, chakra balancing meditations, use of essential oils and positive affirmations aid children in calming their mind and bodies so that they may feel centered, in order to play and learn. Teaching children daily affirmations and meditations to feel grounded and centered are incredibly helpful for spiritual and emotional growth. As children learn to navigate and understand what they feel and why they feel it, it is important to provide them with opportunities to practice turning inward and self-reflection.
Play-Based and Inquiry-Lead Learning
Children are given opportunities to experience authentic and meaningful learning, through real-world experiences and questioning: Why do animals lay eggs? How do plants grow? Children learn best through play and discovery, and the outdoors provides endless opportunities to do so.
PRograms
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NEW SEASONAL PROGRAM LAUNCH for 2026
Introducing “Mindful Mondays” for 6-7 year olds!
In Waldorf, the “7 year change” is a gentle unfolding of the child and developmental shift that takes place around the age of 7. At this stage, children begin to adopt a stronger sense of self and gently sink into the “feeling” stage with imagination and relationships at the forefront.
Our “Mindful Monday” program is designed to support children at this stage of development, through storytelling and imagination, art, mindfulness practices, and connection to each other and nature.
WINTER SESSION: February 2 - April 13 (8 Mondays)
SPRING SESSION: April 20 - June 22 (9 Mondays)
Investment: $55 / day
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SHARP SHINNED-HAWKS (4-5 year olds):
Outdoor, play-based learning centers and mud-kitchen.
An introduction to Waldorf-inspired learning through circle time and stories
Ratio: 1 Guide to 8 children
Investment: $53 / day
COOPER HAWKS (6 year olds):
A daily Waldorf circle time and curriculum lesson (1-1.5 hours) and forest school session.
Ratio: 1 Guide to 8 children
Investment: $53 / day
GREY HAWKS (7 year olds)
MERLIN HAWKS (8 year olds)
WHITE-TAILED HAWKS (9-10 year olds)
RED-TAILED HAWKS (11-12 year olds)
A daily Waldorf curriculum lesson (1.5-2 hours, 3 days per week), followed by forest learning based on seasonal themes.
Ratio: 1 Guide to 10 children
Investment: $53/ day
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Forest school is an outdoor, child-led approach to learning where children spend regular time in a familiar nature setting. Children choose activities based on their interests and curiosity, while our Guides observe, support and scaffold rather than direct. Children learn to asses and take appropriate risks. Strong emphasis is placed on trust, community and collaboration.
Learning emerges naturally through :
Free exploration
Imaginative play
Practical skills
Problem-solving
Storytelling and reflection
Investment: $55 / day
Program Availability:
Sharps (4-5 year olds) - FULL
Coopers (6 year olds) - FULL
Spaces Available for 7-12 year olds
Forest Hills Family Handbook
The “Forest Hills Family Handbook” outlines the procedures and policies that will be applied to ensure a safe and efficient learning environment for children and families.
The “Forest Hills Family Handbook” can be accessed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fU6T8PRmC0Ko6Bqo_12iE8n_nf5VjJbEFMd-KoPJjNE/edit?usp=sharing
RISK Management
Keeping children safe on their learning journey is our top priority at Forest Hills Private School.
Forest Hills Guides and volunteers will assess and mitigate risk alongside students, as it is important that children are involved in the process and acquire these skills with the support, modeling and knowledge of trusted and knowledgeable adults.
Our Guides will conduct seasonal on-site risk assessments and activity risk assessments on an on-going basis, always considering the balance between risk and benefits when doing so.
These assessments are set out by The Child & Nature Alliance of Canada in the “Risk-Benefit Assessment For Outdoor Play: A Canadian Toolkit”
Examples of ways risk may be mitigated when learning on the land:
Posting identification cards and rope barriers alongside children to help them identify and avoid poison ivy.
Learning songs to remind children of the importance of checking for ticks, and how to check for them properly.
Using helpful communication prompts when children are navigating in nature (ie., “Does that log you’re standing on feel sturdy?”)
Offer opportunities for scaffolded lessons to build up to a new activity that may involve risk (ie., Tool use)
Conducting daily risk-assessments of the land before children arrive to the property (ie., marking hanging limbs from a storm the previous night and using a different area until limbs are safely removed)
Conducting Risk-Benefit Assessments when planning programming and learning experiences (ie., What is the benefit of learning to build a shelter? What are the risks involved when learning to build a shelter?)
Ensuring that a “Standard of Care Checklist” is used so that key policies and procedures are well-developed.
*All Guides at Forest Hills are First Aid & CPR Certified
Program Volunteers
All volunteers are required to fill out a Volunteer Application form and complete a Vulnerable Sector Screening Check. Potential volunteers are encouraged to visit prior to volunteering to ensure that the vision and mission of Forest Hills Private School & Retreat Center is clear for the potential volunteer.
Interested in volunteering? Please contact us here:
