The Silverwood Campus opened in 2020 and hosts a dynamic wooded space beyond the classrooms at Silverwood School (a private, K-8 elementary school). Our two unique forest classrooms here provide rich inspiration from the natural setting, a workshop space for children to create, playworkers who skillfully build a trusting community, a myriad of physical challenges and endless opportunities for friendship to thrive.
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.
Ages: 2.5-5 years old
Location: Silverwood School, Poulsbo, WA
Ages: 2.5-5 years old
September 2024 - June 2025
(Registration and Materials Fees due at registration)
Learn more about our school partner: https://www.silverwood.school
Summer camp is a great time to try out forest school and see if your child loves it as much as we do! Enrollment opens March 1st. Email our registrar for more information: info@magnoliaforestpreschool.com.
Ages: 2.5-5 years old
Location: Silverwood School
Time: 9:00-1:00
Days: Monday-Friday
* Fridays will be at Shine Tidelands State Park...beach Fridays!
Cost: $230/week
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 VisitHolly is the campus director for the Evergreen Valley Class at Silverwood. She graduated from Washington State University in 2012 with two degrees, one in Philosophy and the other in Human Development with an emphasis in Family Studies. Asking questions and working with people are pursuits she has always been drawn to. The majority of her professional career has been spent working with young children and families through Early Head Start and local faith communities, but she has found her home at Magnolia.
Once a deeply curious child, Holly now looks forward to encouraging children’s curiosity about themselves, their peers and the world around them. She appreciates how well Magnolia’s philosophy encourages growth while honoring each child’s individuality and personal timeline. Even though she grew up in the PNW, Holly was never an outdoorsy person. But through her involvement in the Magnolia community, first as a parent, then a teacher and now a site director, she has gained a deep gratitude for how the forest has transformed not just herself, but her three children who have all attended Magnolia as well. She understands the trepidation that can come with participating in a different form of early childhood education but is excited to walk with families as they discover the benefits and joys of attending forest school.
When not in the forest, Holly enjoys reading, performing in local theatre productions, sewing, DIY house projects, thrifting and starting recently, practicing aerial arts! She resides in Poulsbo with her husband, three kids, two cats and a lovable Saint Bernard named Rosie.
William is the campus director for the Fern Gully Class and the mentor for the entire Silverwood Campus. He graduated from Olympic College in 2008 with a degree in Arts and Science with a special interest in both geology and biology. He started martial arts when he was young and eventually found a passion for it which led to becoming both a martial arts and fitness instructor for 15 years, helping guide children as young as two in developing important social, behavioral, and character development skills. It has been one of the most influential parts of his life growing up and he jumped at the opportunity to teach kids and fulfill the role of a mentor and fellow student.
A visit to his old elementary school helped him discover that it was time for a change of pace, which led him to Magnolia Forest Preschool, where he has been given a new opportunity to influence children in a different way, becoming a source of comfort and a guide for when they need him as well as a fellow student learning alongside them.
He believes in a hands-on learning approach and feels that there is no bigger motivation in learning than through having fun and making positive experiences, helping equip children with fundamental skills, and facilitating the time and space to practice those skills so that they can carry them for life. As a father and husband, William has been a member of our local Poulsbo community for many years.
Katie Leigh holds a Bachelor's degree in Herbal Science from Bastyr University and has had a deep interest in herbal medicine and a life-long love of nature. She grew up in the UK and then later on the east coast. Throughout her time at school, she was a babysitter for local families and taught at summer camp for over 10 years. She assisted and led early childhood classes for a number of years at a Waldorf school where she, herself, attended as a student. She moved to Washington in 2021, found Magnolia, and immediately connected with the play-based philosophy.
With her knowledge of herbalism and love of teaching, her goal is to cultivate wonder with the children as they play throughout natural spaces. Katie Leigh firmly believes that outdoor play is an essential component for a child's growth and feels it is a true honor to facilitate this process as the Site Director and Teacher at the Silverwood Campus and as the Magnolia School Herbalist. She is excited to blend two of her passions together by helping children develop a deep connection with nature and maintain a reverence for the natural world of plants. In her free time, Katie Leigh enjoys painting, playing piano, hiking, gardening, and spending time with her fiancé and cat. This is her third joy-filled year teaching with Magnolia.
Sophia was born and raised in San Diego where she worked in the medical/nursing field for over 20 years. She was a nurse in Trauma/ICU and a wound care specialist.
Seven years ago she and her husband, Jason, moved to Poulsbo, WA. She has been able to be a stay at home mom to five kids: Hayden 19, Jax 16, Jocelyn (Jaws) 14, Cora 4 & Violet (baby) 2. Cora and Violet both attend Magnolia and love it!
Being from San Diego, it took her a little while to acclimate. Cora’s first year at Magnolia taught her very quickly because they are outside rain or shine! Sophia likes to hike, ride bikes, and explore different parks with Her family. She started a new hobby of gardening, starting from seeds to harvesting fruits and vegetables. It’s been a fun and rewarding experience/hobby.
Tom has a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition and Culinary Arts, and received Birth Doula training from Bastyr University. They have volunteered with Open Arms Perinatal Services as a pre/postnatal Doula, serving marginalized birth parents in the Seattle area. Tom has also worked as a volunteer cook at Operation Sack Lunch, serving Seattle’s homeless community.
As a child (and adult), Tom spent most of their time outside in the woods exploring, playing, imagining, dreaming and learning. As a queer/trans, gender non-conforming, birth-parent, Tom Crowley-Thomas has a passion for fostering equitable learning spaces and empowering students.
Currently, Tom is working on a degree in Psychology/Social Work and believes social emotional learning is paramount during formative Pre-K years. Making this connection to the land is foundational. In their free time, Tom loves to make up songs for their child, read poetry, ride their Vespa, play music with their band and spend time in the garden.
Born and raised in small-town Iowa, Taylor has always been fascinated by the ability of the environment to influence how we develop, think, and feel. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in psychology and a Master of Landscape Architecture with an emphasis on environmental psychology and risky play, both from Iowa State University. She is a member of the International Play Association, the United States Play Coalition, and the Washington Nature Preschool Association.
Taylor has spent much of her life working with children, and she strives to continue to see the world with the wonder and joy of a child. She loves to climb, play, and spend time in nature, is a passionate musician, and starts every day with a strong cup of coffee and a song.
Amanda was born and raised in Washington state. She is a wife and mother to three children and has been lucky enough to be a stay at home mother for the last 2.5 years. She has valued this time at home, spending one on one time together, learning and growing together.
She previously worked as a preschool teacher and in early childhood ministry, as well as a substitute teacher for the local school district. She loves teaching and working with children. She decided to pursue early childhood education again so that she and her son could be together while pursuing a meaningful preschool experience for him and where they could both be around like-minded individuals.
Amanda is excited to join the Magnolia team and spend her days outdoors. She has read about and witnessed the benefits of play-based, outdoor education with her son and is looking forward to observing and experiencing it in others. She hopes to share her passion for the outdoors, a simpler way of learning and letting kids be kids again.
Starting as a Magnolia parent in 2022, Erika grew fond of Magnolia's method of teaching and dreamed of spending time with children in a forest setting. In early 2023 her dream became a reality when she started working for Magnolia as a substitute teacher. After getting to visit and experience all of the Magnolia campuses, she's excited to settle in as a full time teacher.
Born and raised near the shores and evergreens of Kitsap County, Erika has always loved spending time in nature. She has enjoyed camping and hiking since she was four years old, and now loves getting to work with children in the forest on a daily basis.
In 2014 Erika received her Associate of Applied Science in Commercial Photography from Seattle Central Creative Academy, and now enjoys photography as one of her favorite hobbies. Snapping candid photos of children immersed in play is one of her favorite things to do each day.
Erika is also a wife and mother of two girls, and has two cats named Thor and Loki.
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!
