Our new Edmonds Campus opened January 2025 and is located in the forest at the south side of Edmonds City Park. The wide open forest is fenced around the border and provides lots of space for children to play big, explore together, nestle into special nooks, and experience the wonders of a mature, cedar tree grove. This forest is a hidden gem at City Park and is now dedicated to our Magnolia kids’ forest adventures.
I'm INTERESTEDAt forest preschool the children visit the same woodland on a regular basis and are given the freedom to play, opportunity to explore and learn about the natural environment, and support while learning how to handle risks, solve problems, and cooperate with their peers. Preschool runs all year, where children learn and play in the woods in all weather: sun, rain, snow, warm and cold, (barring high winds or other extreme weather). As the forest is ever changing, each day brings new and different exploration opportunities. Children play, learn boundaries – both physical and social - grow in confidence, and become self-starters. Children in this environment learn that there are different ways of solving problems and they develop their critical thinking skills daily. Learn more about Magnolia's Forest Preschool program.
Location:
City Park, Southern Forest, Edmonds, WA
2026-2027 School Year, 2.5-5 years old
Deposit is due to secure registration.
Reach our registrar: lauren@magnoliaforestpreschool.com
We also have a campus in Lynnwood. Learn more
Summer camp is a great time to try out forest school and see if your child loves it as much as we do! Registration for summer camps opens March 1st.
Visit our Summer Camps 20256 page for all dates and tuition.
Enrollment opens March 1st. Email our registrar for more information: lauren@magnoliaforestpreschool.com.
We would love to meet you! Each campus welcomes new families for tours regularly September-June so that you can see the forest school space, meet the site director, ask questions and get a taste for the Magnolia Forest Preschool experience!
Schedule VisitSara is a PNW native and Edmonds resident who has worked extensively with Edmonds Parks and Recreation to provide immersive education experiences for children and adults alike. Being a Ranger-Naturalist for the parks department opened her eyes to the amazing growth that children can make socially and emotionally by exploring the natural world. It also allowed her to discover and develop her natural gift for teaching.
As a preschool teacher at Edmonds Co-op gave her an opportunity to develop a play to learn model for outdoor learning. In this role she educated and equipped parents and facilitated the school’s partnership with the Edmonds College Early Childhood Department.
Sara’s professional background provides a solid foundation for her work at Magnolia, where she can enrich children’s learning in the forest during these important years of growth and development. Watching children light up when they notice something new in nature brings her great joy. The tranquility of the forest takes the rush out of time, allowing people to focus on the moment that is now!
Sara has three children and has served her community as a sports coach for 12 years. In her free time, Sara wanders the land and sea taking wildlife photos. She is an indoor plant enthusiast and food gardener. What's good for the kids is also good for adults. Connecting people to nature is her passion. Having a classroom in the forest is a gift to adults and children, alike.
Karissa has a master’s degree in Social Work and a BA in Psychology. Her professional background centers around adults with developmental disabilities in residential and day program facilities as an Assistant Program Manager. These experiences have created the foundation of knowledge to empower all whom she encounters with respect and compassion. Since starting at Magnolia as a parent two years ago, she deeply connects to the guiding principles of play-based learning that inspires children to truly dig down and explore their curiosity in a free space. After a brief hiatus from work raising her young boys, she is excited for the opportunity to be part of a likeminded team of playworkers growing resilient children in the forest.
Apart from work, Karissa enjoys taking her boys on outdoor adventures in Washington with her husband Spencer. At home, you will find a good book in her hand while admiring her chaos garden with a freshly baked treat.
Jordan Eller is a born and raised Kitsap County resident who doesn’t take for granted the natural beauty of the land she is on. She graduated from Central Kitsap High School and Olympic College in 2016, studying primarily music performance and mathematics. Prior to Magnolia, Jordan worked as a nanny for several years and as a sales associate at various plant nurseries. Magnolia Forest School fuses her love for being outdoors and horticulture with child psychology and development. She strongly believes in Magnolia’s core principles of empowering children with language and offering scaffolding when they are in their zone of proximal development. Jordan is deeply creative and introspective. In her spare time you will mostly find her composing music, playing shows with her band, birdwatching, gardening, and spending time with loved ones.
Alex is a graduate of Western Washington University with a degree in elementary education and literacy. She’s a certified K-8 teacher in Washington with experience in both primary and secondary grades. Teaching the foundations of literacy is her passion!
Alex and her husband Benjamin are parents to five kiddos all of whom have attended Magnolia! She has a deep love of learning and a passion for observing and facilitating lifelong learning in children. Magnolia has inspired and forever changed their family. The Magnolia philosophy has directly impacted their parenting and shifted the family dynamic in completely unexpected ways. Alex joined the Magnolia team as a teacher and then as the Parent Liaison in order to share the Magnolia Method with children and their families.
When not in the forest Alex is a flower farmer and loves to share her garden and home with others. She is often found with her nose in a book and loves to travel and cook. As a family they spend their time working and free ranging on the farm, exploring, camping, kayaking, and fishing.
Alex is thrilled to be experiencing the forest alongside children as they grow and develop in curiosity and insight together.
At unique campuses across the Puget Sound Region in Washington, Magnolia children learn rain and shine. Preschool (ages 2.5-5) and Waldkinder (ages 5-8) programs meet September through June. We welcome lots of new friends at our summer camps, too!
SEE ALL LOCATIONSWe're so glad you're interested in enrolling your child at Magnolia! Families often have lots of questions, and we're here to help. Complete the interest form below, so we can support you in your journey toward forest school. You can also directly contact our office: info@magnoliaforestpreschool.com.
I'm InterestedWe are happy to answer any questions you may have. Forest school can be the perfect fit for so many children because it is uniquely tailored to support their strengths and interests. We look forward to connecting with you and your child further, and we hope to see you in the forest soon!
