How to Start a Preschool - a Free Workbook for Schools and Educators
- Laura Johnson
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
Have you been thinking of adding more nature to your school program, starting a nature-based preschool, day care, or homeschool? For me, the path from dreaming up an ideal program to executing and running it was a long and winding one! I want to help you fast forward to your dream by taking advantage of my hard won lessons.
Nature based learning offers a powerful way to engage students with the world around them. It encourages curiosity, creativity, and self-regulation skills. But it requires some planning beyond the traditional preschool or day care model.
In this "Start A Preschool Trail Map", I will guide you through targeted research and goal setting. This is the same process I used in starting Forest Friends, and I was ultimately able to have consistent wait lists, operate debt-free, and crate value for my community.
This isn't just for preschools, though! Homeschool parents, day care owners, and traditional teachers can all use this workbook to think through adding more nature to their programs.
Why Nature Based Learning Matters
Research shows that spending time in nature improves students’ focus, reduces stress, and boosts creativity. Learning outdoors connects children to their environment and helps develop critical thinking skills. It also supports physical health and social development.
Despite these benefits, many schools struggle to implement nature based learning programs due to limited resources or uncertainty about where to start. This workbook addresses those challenges as you start a preschool by offering a clear, step-by-step approach.
What You Will Find Inside the Workbook
The workbook is organized into simple sections that guide you through starting your preschool, day care, or homeschool co-op with a nature focus:
People
Understand your market and what your community needs from your nature program.
Program
Narrow down your nature-based learning philosophy as you start your preschool. Think through details about how you want things to run.
Location
Not all locations are created equal, and there may be one that will suit your nature preschool perfectly. Unlock new locations through our guided research.
Goal Setting
This is where you'll create your "trail map" for going forward! Set goals based on your research and break them down into actionable steps for your nature preschool, day care, or homeschool co-op.
Resources and Materials
Discover books and websites to support your business planning and teaching.
Each section includes targeted questions based on my own experience starting a preschool with a nature focus. The workbook will challenge you to think about how your vision can become a practical reality.
How to Use the Workbook to Start Your Preschool
Whether you want to add nature-based learning to an existing classroom or program, or are a parent dreaming up new opportunities for your child, the workbook adapts to your needs. Here are some ways educators have used it:
Individual Teachers
Use the workbook to plan regular, nature focused field trips for your classroom to a local park.
School Teams
Collaborate with colleagues to develop a school-wide nature program, including garden projects or field trips.
Entrepreneurs
Start a preschool or day care with a nature focus while meeting your community's needs.
Tips for Successful Implementation
Once you've downloaded and completed your "Start a Preschool Trail Map" workbook, don't stop there! Forest Friends will be adding new resources to support you on your journey. Laura also offers consultations to help you get your program up and running.
How to Download Your Free Workbook
To get your free digital workbook, sign up as a site subscriber by clicking the button below. It's free, and I will be adding more free resources for subscribers regularly!
Your email will be kept secure and used only to send you relevant updates and resources from Forest Friends - I'll never sell or share your information. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Comments