Sequim

Sequim Bay

At the Sequim Bay Campus, children start their day with a breathtaking hike across a large bridge and enjoy the group campsite. It has a magical feel that draws children in for a wide variety of exploration and play experiences. There is also direct beach access from the group campsite where children can revel in this unique marine environment.

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Sequim Bay

Campus Programs

At 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.

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Class Details

Location:
Sequim Bay State Park, Sequim, WA

Ages:

2.5-5 years old

September 2024 - June 2025

  • Tues/Thurs, 9:00-1:00, $336/month
  • Tuesdays, 9:00-1:00, $168/month
  • Thursdays, 9:00-1:00, $168/month

(Registration and materials fee due at time of registration.)

Summer Camp

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 1. Reach out to our registrar for more information: info@magnoliaforestpreschool.com.

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Summer Camp Details

ENROLL FOR SUMMER CAMPS

Ages: 2.5-5 years old

Location: Dungeness River Center

Time: 9:00-1:00 

Days: Monday-Thursday

Cost: $195/week

  • Week 3: July 22-25
  • Week 4: July 29- Aug 1

K-5th Grade

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K-5th Grade Details

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Visit Magnolia

Sequim Bay

and learn more

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!

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Campus Director

Jes is from Charleston, SC and grew up spending most of her childhood outside either at the beach or with neighborhood friends. Having two younger siblings with a range of disabilities, from deafness to autism, she learned the power of early childhood practices and the power of learning through play. This led her to earning her bachelors in Early Childhood and Family Studies at the University of Washington. She became an advocate for outdoor education after student teaching in an outdoor preschool in Norway where she saw the benefits of outdoor play first hand.

She has both a deep love for nature and a passion for exploration through travel. She believes that many lessons are learned through personal experience, and cherish her time traveling via motorbike, train, and boat across parts of Europe, South East Asia, and Australia. Working for National Geographic eco cruise ships for several years also showed her some of nature's gems, and provoked a deeper desire for conservation and preserving natural spaces. Washington is one of her favorite places in the world and feels lucky to be so close to both mountains and the ocean.

Jes believes that the formative years are critical for healthy brain development and that play is essential. Play fosters neurological development ranging from memory, perception, imaginative play, self regulation, motor skills, and so much more! Play is the language of childhood, it is our responsibility to allow children to have that voice and to explore the world around them as they grow.

Sequim Bay

Campus Teachers

Jenny Stokes

Founder & Child Development Director

Jenny Stokes

Founder & Child Development Director

Jenny holds a Masters in Early Childhood and Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University and a BFA in Art Education (PreK-12) from Baylor University. She began her teaching career 27 years ago in a small Arkansas town and has since taught ages preschool-college in Arkansas, Texas, and Washington States.  

Jenny is a fierce advocate for a child’s right to play and believes that a play-based program provides the best opportunity for young children to learn self-regulation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. There is empirical evidence that shows that social-emotional development is the leading indicator of long-term school success and that is what informs her position as an educator.  Her goal is to graduate children from Magnolia who are not only successful academically, but who are empathetic and kind human beings.  She is a teacher first and believes that the outdoor environment is an ideal place for a child’s imagination to soar and relationships to flourish.

Jenny has two children, Jackson and Grace, and two stepsons, Connor and Sean. Jackson is working on his degree in Elementary Education and has worked at Magnolia as a teacher, starting at Summer Camps, since 2019.  Grace was one of the OG camp counselors when Magnolia opened in 2018 and is currently a supervisor at Wet Noses Dry Paws combining her passions for dogs and organization.  Connor and Sean are pursuing their careers in L.A. and Tacoma. Her husband, Bob, supplies her with constant love and laughter.

Cecilia Hillway

Preschool Teacher

Cecilia Hillway

Preschool Teacher

Cecilia graduated with a degree in Graphic Design and has always had a passion for nature and creativity. After working at several elementary schools in Southern California helping teach children programming and creative making, she moved to Washington to escape the big city and get back to nature.

When not enjoying nature to the fullest, Cecilia is a professional illustrator and maker with her work often combining art and technology. She also teaches robotics and other enrichment classes at Bainbridge Artisans Resource Network (BARN).

Cecilia is excited to be a part of the Magnolia Forest Preschool and to have the opportunity to inspire curiosity and creativity. She desires to share her love for the natural world that surrounds us here on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula.

Sarah Harrington

Preschool Teacher

Sarah Harrington

Preschool Teacher

Sarah is a Sequim native and mom who fell in love with the "Magnolia way" when her daughter started attending Magnolia Forest Preschool 2 years ago.

Sarah believes in the strength, resilience and honesty that children display is one of life's most precious gifts and all we grownups have to do is slow down and be witness to it.  The joy of childhood should be celebrated and the forest gives us the perfect canvas to foster that innate imagination.

While raising 2 daughters, Sarah spends her time outside working in dirt, raising chickens and running her small business.  She loves to work with her hands and is always on the verge of a new creative project.

Sarah Scagliotti

Substitute Teacher

Sarah Scagliotti

Substitute Teacher

Sarah graduated from Oregon State University with a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Outdoor Leadership. She has worked with youth in many outdoor settings as a children’s ski instructor, a youth snowboard team coach, a mountain bike camp coach, and a wilderness therapy program instructor. She also worked in Peru as an English teacher at an elementary school.

During her graduate program, Sarah focused many of her studies toward nature-based therapy, early childhood development, and the use of child-centered play to facilitate social-emotional learning and growth. She loves seeing children flourish through the magic of play!

Sarah recently moved to Washington with her husband and dog. Together they love to explore the incredible landscapes of the Olympic Peninsula. In their spare time they enjoy hiking, biking, snowboarding, kayaking, playing a round of disc golf, or watching their dog chase little waves along the beach.

Find Magnolia Forest School Near You!

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!

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“In the safety and freedom of the woods, [my child’s] little voice started asking for things she needed – and getting those needs met. Through climbing, exploring the natural world around her, her confidence grew. Magnolia’s style makes room for that.”
“One of the biggest leaps has been [my child’s] ability to communicate her emotions. Instead of endless tantrums or guessing games, [my child] has been able to clearly tell me what she’s feeling. Being able to identify a feeling is one of the first steps to working through it for her. This is a big deal in our everyday life, and I believe it’s truly added to her life in a dynamic manner. At Magnolia, I know I have a group of other caring adults in her life to help her learn to trust herself and others, during those difficult life moments.”
“ We look forward to the year, as well as the adventures of the K-8th program to follow. I want [my child] to continue to grow and learn to trust herself and grow into a confident child, and eventually young woman, with respect for life, others and the world around her. Those values are echoed by this school as well. Having the freedom to be 100% herself in a safe environment as she discovers who she is priceless.”
“Now, as a first time parent, I’ll admit, I had my doubts when it came to the theory behind child-lead learning, but I’m now sold on it. The confidence gained by learning to climb a rock transfers over to facing new learning milestones, like counting. [My child’s] imagination is free to expand with simple tools and toys, friends, fresh air, and the occasional snow ball. Imagination is the mother of invention. [My child] knows School is a safe place to make mistakes, explore, and grow.”
“I cannot say enough how much my child has grown since school started in September! She went from crying at drop off and clinging to a teacher, to confidently walking to a teacher at the start of a school day and strutting back at pick up.”
“[My child] has great stamina! Before Magnolia she wouldn’t walk very far and now she is able to hike up to 3 miles! She also has a longer attention span. She will stick with a task for 45 min or an hour. Again, before school she would flit from activity to activity.”

I'm interested in enrollment

We'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 Registrar, Taylor: info@magnoliaforestpreschool.com or Parent Liaison, Alex: alex@magnoliaforestpreschool.com.

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Request enrollment information

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. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and hope to see you in the forest soon!

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