Wren's Nest Forest Preschool

We are now full for the 2024/25 school year. Please fill out the form at this link if you would like to be added to the waiting list for a fall 2025 start date (or later): Wren’s Nest Waiting List

We will start accepting applications for the fall 2025/26 school year in early January 2025.

Open House: Save the date. We will hold a prospective student open house on Saturday January 18th, from 9:00-11:30AM.

Overview

Wren’s Nest is a fully licensed, 5 STAR, nature-based program for preschool-age children. Students at Wren’s Nest learn by interacting with the natural world. We are excited to announce that we will be moving to our new forever home this fall of 2024. We are breaking ground on a new school house located just a mile from the current site of 195 Harvey Rd in Bristol where the school currently resides.

Wren’s Nest runs Mondays through Fridays, from 8:00AM - 2:30PM with an extended programming option from 2:30 - 4:30.

Wren’s Nest is located four miles south of Bristol and 13 miles North of Middlebury.

Wren’s Nest Preschool admits students and families of all socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, and disability.

DETAILS

The Wren’s Nest teachers are outdoor educators whose teaching styles are flexible and creative, allowing them to adjust plans in the moment to suit the evolving needs of the students. Their curriculum depends less on rigid structure and more on independent exploration—allowing each child to engage with their natural environment through play and with the guidance of trained instructors.

Wren’s Nest is a holistic, interdisciplinary, and sensory-based approach to learning, and a companion program to Willowell’s nationally-recognized outdoor high school program, The Walden Project. It is our goal at Wren’s Nest to foster students’ independence and an initial understanding of their interconnectedness with the whole world. Children come away with a deep level of comfort and love for the land they play and learn on. Above all, Wren’s Nest creates a space for children to cultivate their natural sense of awe and wonder.

The program incorporates specific themes rooted in the changing bounty of the land and the seasons. Areas of study include learning about wild plants, fire building, tracking, shelter building, sensory awareness, bird language, singing, movements, gardening, wetland walks, drawing, journal writing, clay work, nature sculpture, indoor and outdoor cooking, scavenger hunts, storytelling, special guests, dancing, singing, and an age-appropriate end of year rite of passage.

Wren's Nest runs with the Addison Northeast Supervisory Union calendar and accepts Act 166 Pre-K funding (first ten hours is paid for by the state).

CLASS TIMES

Monday-Friday
8:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Extended Programming

2:30-4:30 PM

LOCATION

508 Harvey Rd.

Bristol, VT

Phone numbers

Wren’s Nest: 802-453-2657

Willowell office: 802-453-6195

APPLICATION PROCESS

I. Download and complete the application form (or request a hard copy mailed to you).

II. Submit $50 (non refundable) application fee.

III. Mail both to The Willowell Foundation, P.O. Box 314, Bristol VT 05443.

IV. You will hear from us once we receive your application.

PAYMENT

Children who will be aged 3 or 4 by September 1, 2024 and who are enrolled for at least 2 full days per week are eligible to receive state preschool funding towards 10 hours/week of preschool tuition. Additional tuition costs are the responsibility of the family/guardian.

Wren’s Nest is a Pre Kindergarten partner. We have licensed teachers, our curriculum aligns with the Vermont Early Education Standards (VELS), and we record documentation for children using Teaching Strategies Gold. These three components were established by the Vermont Agency of Education (AOE) for participating partners.

For information about state subsidy for income-eligible families click here: Child Care Financial Assistance.

Please email us for a full chart of additional out of pocket tuition rates for 2024-2025 school year. Email info@willowell.org for more information or call 802-453-6195