Canada's First Forest Preschool to Launch in Ottawa Valley

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 30, 2008) - A Yurt will replace a classroom when Canada's first nature-based preschool for children launches on October 1, 2008. Carp Ridge Forest Preschool, situated on 190 acres of land, offers children aged three to six a chance to play in the woods on a daily basis.

Children will throw in their plastic toys for tree branches and their sneakers for boots, to head out and explore the great outdoors. They'll do things like hiking, nature crafts, outdoor yoga, shelter-building, gardening, snowshoeing and much more. In an age where families worry about childhood obesity, over-usage of technology, environmental toxins, and climate change, this program offers something different.

"As a society, we're greatly impacted by our lack of connection to the outdoors. Children are growing up in manufactured environments where they're disconnected from nature, which can lead to all kinds of social issues," said Marlene Power-Johnston, Coordinator of the Forest Preschool and mother of twenty-two month old Hazel. She became involved with the Ecowellness Centre after visiting many preschools in the Ottawa area. She felt disenchanted by the lack of natural space for children to play, and the lack of emphasis on environmental principles within conventional preschools.

The concept for the Forest Preschool, also known as "Forest Kindergartens," originated in Europe. The whole premise of the preschool is that the children spend their entire days outdoors, where they move their bodies; explore their imagination and the world in a very hands-on manner. They do this rain or shine, with a building on site for more extreme weather conditions.

The Forest Preschool, runs out of the Carp Ridge Learning Centre, which is a Charitable Organization. They strive to increase children and youths' access to nature. Subsidies are available to improve program accessibility for families with limited financial resources.