Our new Edmonds Campus opens January 2025 and is located in the forest at the south side of Edmonds City Park. The wide open forest is fenced around the border and provides lots of space for children to play big, explore together, nestle into special nooks, and experience the wonders of a mature, cedar tree grove. This forest is a hidden gem at City Park and is now dedicated to our Magnolia kids’ forest adventures.
I'm INTERESTEDAt forest preschool the children visit the same woodland on a regular basis and are given the freedom to play, opportunity to explore and learn about the natural environment, and support while learning how to handle risks, solve problems, and cooperate with their peers. Preschool runs all year, where children learn and play in the woods in all weather: sun, rain, snow, warm and cold, (barring high winds or other extreme weather). As the forest is ever changing, each day brings new and different exploration opportunities. Children play, learn boundaries – both physical and social - grow in confidence, and become self-starters. Children in this environment learn that there are different ways of solving problems and they develop their critical thinking skills daily. Learn more about Magnolia's Forest Preschool program.
Location:
City Park, Southern Forest, Edmonds, WA
Preschool Class: Opens January 8, 2025
2.5-5 years old, Jan-June 2025
(Registration and Materials Fees due at registration.)
We also have a campus in Lynnwood. Learn more
Reach our registrar: lauren@magnoliaforestpreschool.com
Summer camp is a great time to try out forest school and see if your child loves it as much as we do! Registration for summer camps opens March 1st.
SUMMER CAMPS 2025
Details will be released in February.
Enrollment opens March 1st. Email our registrar for more information: lauren@magnoliaforestpreschool.com.
We would love to meet you! Each campus welcomes new families for tours regularly September-June so that you can see the forest school space, meet the site director, ask questions and get a taste for the Magnolia Forest Preschool experience!
Schedule VisitSara is a PNW native and Edmonds resident who has worked extensively with Edmonds Parks and Recreation to provide immersive education experiences for children and adults alike. Being a Ranger-Naturalist for the parks department opened her eyes to the amazing growth that children can make socially and emotionally by exploring the natural world. It also allowed her to discover and develop her natural gift for teaching.
As a preschool teacher at Edmonds Co-op gave her an opportunity to develop a play to learn model for outdoor learning. In this role she educated and equipped parents and facilitated the school’s partnership with the Edmonds College Early Childhood Department.
Sara’s professional background provides a solid foundation for her work at Magnolia, where she can enrich children’s learning in the forest during these important years of growth and development. Watching children light up when they notice something new in nature brings her great joy. The tranquility of the forest takes the rush out of time, allowing people to focus on the moment that is now!
Sara has three children and has served her community as a sports coach for 12 years. In her free time, Sara wanders the land and sea taking wildlife photos. She is an indoor plant enthusiast and food gardener. What's good for the kids is also good for adults. Connecting people to nature is her passion. Having a classroom in the forest is a gift to adults and children, alike.
Lauren graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Environmental Sustainability in 2016. Soon after, she moved to California to work in Outdoor Education as a Naturalist Intern. She quickly discovered the joy of teaching and working outside. After two years in residential outdoor education, she moved to Fresno and obtained her Multi-Subject Teaching Credential. Lauren taught 4th grade for a year before returning to outdoor education with a local Land Trust. While there, she had the opportunity to design the first nature-based preschool enrichment program in Fresno.
Through her work co-creating the preschool with her students and staff, Lauren fell more in love with the magic of place-based, child-led learning. She believes that all people are naturally curious, capable, and full of potential. By building connections with one another and outdoor spaces, children (and adults!) can become empowered stewards of their community and the Earth as a whole. Lauren chose to move to Washington to continue pursuing the wonderful world of forest education with an inspiring community of mentors.
In her free time, Lauren loves reading, playing board games, hiking, kayaking, birding, and spending time with her three dogs. She enjoys engaging her senses through nature journaling, painting, yoga, mindfulness, feeling patches of soft moss, and smelling trees. Lauren is excited to immerse herself into the wonders of the Pacific Northwest.
Adriaan was born in California, but was raised in Spokane, Washington. There he spent his
summers at the YMCA Camp Reed as a camper, eventually working there as a counselor for a
few summers. He then attended the University of Washington at Bothell and received a B.A. in
Environmental Studies in 2020. During and after college, he worked in the food service industry.
After quitting his job to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2023, he sought a new career path
that would be fulfilling and maybe even fun. He hopes to eventually return to school to pursue a
degree in education to eventually become a traditional teacher.
Adriaan is excited to begin his new phase in life by teaching young learners to appreciate and
enjoy nature! While not at Magnolia, he enjoys cycling in the forest, making pasta, and listening
to new music.
At unique campuses across the Puget Sound Region in Washington, Magnolia children learn rain and shine. Preschool (ages 2.5-5) and Waldkinder (ages 5-8) programs meet September through June. We welcome lots of new friends at our summer camps, too!
SEE ALL LOCATIONSWe're so glad you're interested in enrolling your child at Magnolia! Families often have lots of questions, and we're here to help. Complete the interest form below, so we can support you in your journey toward forest school. You can also directly contact our office: info@magnoliaforestpreschool.com.
I'm InterestedWe are happy to answer any questions you may have. Forest school can be the perfect fit for so many children because it is uniquely tailored to support their strengths and interests. We look forward to connecting with you and your child further, and we hope to see you in the forest soon!
