A nature based kindergarten

Welcome to Hamilton Forest School where learning is deeply rooted in nature. We hold a strong conviction that children require and also deserve regular and repeated opportunities to immerse themselves in the natural world. We believe that these encounters with nature help cultivate eco-responsible stewards, and long lasting relationships with the land, which we believe is an indispensable quality for 21st-century citizens.

We firmly believe that exposing children to the outdoors and its breathtaking wonders is a fundamental experience that every child should have. Numerous research studies have consistently shown that spending time in nature reduces stress, enhances attention span, and promotes healthy brain development in children. Nature plays a crucial role in both a child's well-being and overall development of the whole-child.

At Hamilton Forest School, we offer a distinct and tailored educational program, serving as an exceptional alternative to the Ministry of Education's Full Day Kindergarten Program. Since children in Ontario are not mandated to attend school until grade one (age 6), we provide the option for children to be enrolled full-time in our Kindergarten program.

Join us at Hamilton Forest School, where education comes alive in nature's embrace, nurturing young minds for a brighter future.

Hamilton Forest School envisions extending its offerings to include primary grades, providing children with the opportunity to continue their educational journey within our nurturing environment.

Our curriculum is designed to be comprehensive and dynamic, encompassing both French and English languages. It is place-based, child-directed, hands-on, play-based, emergent, and inquiry-based, as research has consistently shown that children between birth and eight years old learn most effectively through this approach. Our unique curriculum draws inspiration from the Ontario Ministry of Education's The Kindergarten Program, harmoniously blending it with the principles of the Forest School philosophy. Lastly, keeping reconciliation at heart, our curriculum also incorporates Indigenous Land-based educational perspectives. 

At Hamilton Forest School, we firmly believe in the competence and capability of every child. By empowering our students with choices and decision-making opportunities, we recognize and embrace the boundless potential of young minds. Following Howard Gardner's MI (Multiple Intelligences) theory, we hold the belief that each child can flourish and achieve success. By offering a diverse range of activities and encouraging children to make choices based on their interests and developmental needs, we utilize nature as both a learning environment and an ally, paving the way for positive and personalized learning experiences.