FOREST AND NATURE SCHOOL

2026-2027 Young Learners Kindergarten

Out to Play Young Learners is an experiential, outdoor play and learning Kindergarten for children, age 4-5 years at the Out to Play Centre, in Nepean/Kanata.

At Out to Play children spend their days actively exploring the forest, gardens, and shoreline of the Ottawa River across all seasons, building strong relationships with each other, their educators, and the land.

Out to Play follows the Forest and Nature School pedagogy of child-centred, inquiry-driven, learning and connecting through play on the land. This program roots learning in play, inquiry, arts and real-life experiences, to enable children to become brave, confident, and engaged learners, willing to take risks, solve problems, and try new challenges.

Rhythm of the Day

Unstructured Play – Play blocks of 1.5-2 hours to offer time to settle, connect and learn

Circle Time – Gathering times at snack and lunch time with story, song and community.

Learning Blocks – Active, engaged and playful learning blocks mid morning

Rest and Regulation – Early afternoon quiet time offering art, story and relaxation

Adventure Days – Occasional full-day adventures alongside the Foxes (4-10 years) for social learning, outdoor challenge and peer scaffolding.

Learning Threads

Mental Health and Well-being

The emphasis of Out to Play’s program on outdoor play offers learning through curiosity, wonder, natural awe and active outdoor play and includes:

A practical focus on risk assessment and co-creation of boundaries
The development of practical life skills
Communication modelling and coaching
Early learning in self-advocacy and boundaries

Cognitive Learning

Children’s curiosity leads their learning through questions, experiments and relationship.
Early literacy is introduced through storytelling, song, movement and purposeful hands-on experiences.
Through hands-on messy math and science children are engaged and playful learners.

Physical Learning

Building balance, confidence, and self-regulation through climbing, lifting, pushing, pulling, and building.
Physical problem-solving and risk awareness learning happens through loose parts, which invite open-ended exploration and challenge with critical thinking and risk assessment skills.
Supporting Social Learning and Creativity Physical play is often social and collaborative.
Children negotiate roles, communicate ideas, cooperate, and resolve conflicts.

Social Learning

Unstructured play blocks offer time and space for rich social learning.
Kind, unhurried educators coach children in communicating with each other and navigating conflict independently and with support.

Registration

Registration options include 2-day, 3-day and 5-day a week options. Please email info@outtoplay.ca with your questions.