Frequently Asked Questions
preguntas frecuentes
Is my child safe at an outdoor school? The forest school model's primary tenant is increasing a child's risk-taking abilities. Most children do not generally take risks beyond their comfort, and clearly most children have a desire to avoid pain and fear. With a teacher's support, they can push the boundaries of their comfort levels and build resillience, as well as new physical and emotional skills. To safely achieve these things, Valencia has a number of safety measueres put into place to support young adventurers, which include: *Consistently communicated safety rules *Supervised potty time *Physical boundaries of the classroom space *Fenced property line *Matching raingear for ease of visibility *Low child to adult ratio (7:1) *All staff is first aid and CPR trained If there is ever a concern about safety, we encourage you to reach out to a teacher to begin a dialog.
How will my child use the bathroom? It is the standard of any nature school to offer a potty consistent with the experience of being in the outdoors. At Valencia, we are sensitive to the unique needs young children have toileting. 1. Children are able to use a camping toilet with a potty seat attachment in the comfort of an enclosed shed. It is well-lit, clean, and provides a dry floor space for them to rest their feet on during potty time. 2. We have posted standards our teachers follow to keep our toileting space sanitary and our students feeling clean. 3. We allow non-potty trained children into our program. At Valencia, we believe children are best able to meet their milestones when they are ready, rather than when it is convenient for adults. If you enroll a child still in diapers, we ask that you check their diaper is clean before drop-off. We will ask your child during class if they are wet and help them understand the cues their body gives when it is time to go potty. We, of course, ask that every child ALWAYS bring a change of clothes with them in their backpack.
What does drop off look like? We are very sensitive to each family's needs around drop-off time. Our goal is that pick-up and drop-off time be a positive experience for everyone. Generally, children experiencing separation anxiety will cry at drop-off and stop crying when the parent has left. The anticipation of the leaving may be a trigger for big feelings (for both parents and children), but with emotional support, children are presented with the opportunity to learn how to regulate after a caregiver has left. We are very committed to working with every family to ensure everyone feels comfortable at drop off. We are open to a variety of solutions to help sooth a child's (and parent's) nervous systems during this tricky phase! Please reach out to the owner if you are feeling anxious about this transition.
What should we bring to class? 1. Proper clothing for the weather (see parent handbook or reference our Instagram page for tips). 2. A backpack with a change of clothes (in a waterproof bag), a small snack if necessary, and a water bottle. No toys are allowed while in class session.
What would constitute a school closure? 1. High winds causing debris to fall from the trees. 2. In the event that our teachers are all sick and we are unable to bring in a substitute. We hope this NEVER happens, but of course, it is a possibility that could occur. We have a waitlist of substitutes to call in if necessary. We pride ourselves in remaining open regardless of precipitation!
Do you offer summer camps? We do not offer camps specifically, but we do offer a year-round schedule. This means we ARE open throughout the summer and families are able to pay month by month depending on their needs. If you enroll with us and choose to take the summer off, your spot will be up for grabs and you will go back onto our waitlist for openings in the fall.