The Nature Kindergarten program was a pilot program that started in September 2012. Since September 2017, it has been offered at two locations. The program is offered at Sangster Elementary School and Saseenos Elementary School.
The Sooke School District seeks to be innovative in providing learning opportunities for our children. Research suggests that providing children with an opportunity to spend consistent daily time outdoors in a natural setting will develop their physical and mental health and foster deep connections with nature, and strong ties to their surrounding communities.
This program also fits well with current District goals of enhancing our programming to improve social and emotional learning; to engage in differentiated instruction and assessment; and to focus on Aboriginal Ways of Knowing with input from our local Aboriginal organizations and the School District’s Aboriginal Education Department.
Students spend up to 2.5 hours outside every morning in natural settings. Children return to school for their lunch and for indoor learning in the afternoon.
Step 1: Attend an information session
To ensure the greatest success for the children in the program parents must attend an information session if they are interested in registering their child in this program. These sessions will allow parents to develop a better understanding of the Nature Kindergarten program, and what it will mean for their child and family. Nature Kindergarten Parent Information Sessions are offered in January.
Please visit the SD62 website to find the dates for this year’s information sessions and registration dates.
Step 2: Read the Registration Guide
Read the Registration Guide to make sure you have the required documents ready to upload during registration. After uploading, please present original documents to your school once registration has been confirmed. We will accept original documents only – no exceptions. Students will not be officially registered until all documentation has been received.
Step 3: Register Online
Parents can register online.
Register online
Registration for the 2021-22 school year begins on January 11, 2021. Parents must attend an on-line information session in advance to receive a registration form.
New immigrant families (permanent residents, refugees or those on work/study permit or diplomatic visas):
Please contact the SD62 International Office at 250-474-9818 or in person at 200-814 Goldstream Avenue before completing the online registration.
Hello,
I am interested in the Nature Kindergarten and would like to find out when the information session at Wishart school is taking place. Also I would like to know if we are eligible if we currently live in the heart of Langford beside Ruth King Elementary???
Thank You
Amy
Hello Amy,
There will not be an information session at Wishart school as I believe there was not any current interest in the program among the Journeys of Heart families. Yes, you would be eligible to participate in the program as it is a District-wide program. Please contact Sangster School directly for more information.
Regards, Frances
Hello,
My husband and I just watched the TEDx Talk-Victoria of Frances Krusekopf and couldn’t agree more with the concept of Nature Kindergarden.
We would love to register our 4 year old son in the program for the coming year (2016-2017). We live out in Langford, off Happy Valley and out catch school is Happy Valley Elementary. May I have some information regarding the registration process/ informative sessions please.
Thank you.
Minerva Thain
Hi there,
I was planning to enroll my daughter next week at Sangster but I was told if I didn’t attend an information session held last week, I’m no longer able to register her.
Hi,
I was also told that I couldn’t register my son at Sangster for the program because I didn’t attend the info session. I totally missed the session dates, not that I chose not to attend. I’m really keen in putting my son for this program. Is there any way?
Unfortunately, decisions have already been made around registrations for Nature Kindergarten for September 2017. Thank you for your interest.
Hello,
I am interested in attending an information session for the Nature Kindergarden (Sept 2019) Can you please tell me the dates for the 2019 info sessions? Also, how old do the kids have to be to attend Kindergarden (including Nature Kindergarden?
Thanks
The dates for info sessions have not been determined at this time. Please check the school district website later in the school year. Thanks for your interest.
Hi there,
Any idea when the info session for the nature kindergarten will be held for 2019 registration?
Regards
Nikki
Please see latest post on this blog for parent information sessions.
Outdoor Education – Developing a Unified Voice
You are invited to participate in a study about Outdoor Education in Canada, conducted by Morten Asfeldt and Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, Ph.D., from the University of Alberta.
We are interested in learning about your experiences and opinions about outdoor education programs or courses. We are collecting information from outdoor educators who work at summer camps, K-12 secondary programs, and college/university programs.
If you think there is someone in your organization who is more well suited to complete this survey than you, please forward this invitation to them. Please complete only one survey per organization.
By completing this survey, you will be contributing to establishing a unified voice for Outdoor Education in Canada. Your participation is voluntary and strictly confidential.
The survey takes about 20 minutes to complete.
All those who complete the questionnaire will have an opportunity to enter their name into a draw for a $50 gift card from Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC). We will draw a name for every 25 surveys submitted, making your odds of winning one-in-twenty-five (1:25).
Begin the survey by using this link: Begin the survey by using this link: (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P6KV3WN).
hi there, i am an international student at the royal roads university. my daughter is will be 8yrs in janunary. she will definitely love this school because she is so innovative and creative and i know she will fit in well. i want to kow when the new session will start and if she will be offered a free education as i have a valid study permit and visa. thank you.