about our waldorf-inspired outdoor preschool
Willow Creek Forest School is an outdoor, place-based Waldorf-inspired preschool for children ages 3 - 5 years old in Southwest Portland. The school runs for nine months, from September to June, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., with an option to add aftercare each day until 3 p.m.
We are located at Tryon Life Community Farm, a seven acre sustainability education center and home to over one hundred fruit trees, eight goats, five chickens and nineteen humans. The land is bordered on three sides by Tryon Creek State Park, where children spend part of each day hiking and playing among the old growth trees and ferns. The rhythms of the land guide each day and inspire our curriculum, stories and songs.
a day in the life at forest school
Students enjoy a consistent daily rhythm in which they can allow their imaginations to blossom and be immersed in the magic of the forest, while learning to be good stewards of the land and each other.
Our days are spent entirely outdoors. Each day includes morning circle time (filled with music and movement), warm tea and a healthy snack (with organic fruit and herbs from the land), free play in the forest (lots of tree climbing), a daily activity such as nature crafts or cooking, story time, and lunch.
curriculum
Children learn to make plant medicine harvested from the farm and forest, natural dyeing, wood working and much more, all guided by songs and stories inspired by the changing seasons on the land.
The year is punctuated by seasonal holidays where families are welcome including our Lantern Walk, Spiral of Lights, Winter Fireside Story Time, May Day and the Last Day Celebration.
our values
At Willow Creek, we value reverence for the Earth, joyful play, and loving relationships. We aim to nurture children’s sense of wonder, while building confidence, social-emotional skills, and a strong connection with nature.
