The Silverwood Campus opened in 2020 and hosts two dynamic wooded spaces beyond the classrooms on Silverwood School (K-5th grade). Our unique outdoor spaces, the “Enchanted Forest” and “Fern Gully,” provide rich physical challenges and endless opportunities for friendship to thrive. Classes are approximately 18 children and 4 teachers. Our COVID precautions and procedures are concurrent with Washington Department of Health guidelines for outdoor preschools.
REGISTER NOWAt 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.
Ages: 2.5-5 years old
Location: Silverwood School
September 2021 - June 2022
($40 registration and $100 materials fee due at registration)
Summer camp is a great time to try out forest school and see if your child loves it as much as we do! We often begin registration for summer camps March 1. It is helpful if you contact us before then so we know you are interested and can give you priority on open spaces.
Ages: 2.5-5 years old
Location: Silverwood School
Time: 9:00-1:00
July 5-August 27, 2021
Camp t-shirt included!
Enrollment is now open!
At Magnolia, we are driven to inspire the next generation of critical thinkers through immersive outdoor adventures. Guided by their unique interests and curiosities, our students grow to be resilient, self-aware problem solvers. Utilizing the power of our natural world to instill wonder, curiosity, and self discovery, we provide a safe space and purposeful guidance as students explore their interests, their relationships with their peers, and the world around them. Learn more about the Magnolia Adventure program.
Ages: K-5th
Location: Salsbury Point Park, Poulsbo, WA
Schedule: Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30-1:30
Weekly and Monthly series available, 2020-2021
Jenny holds a Masters in Early Childhood and Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University and a BFA in Art Education (PreK-12) from Baylor University. She began her teaching career 24 years ago in a small Arkansas town and has since taught ages preschool-college in Arkansas, Texas, and Washington States.
Jenny is a fierce advocate for a child’s right to play and believes that a play-based program provides the best opportunity for young children to learn self-regulation, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. There is empirical evidence that shows that social-emotional development is the leading indicator of long-term school success and that is what informs her position as an educator. Her goal is to graduate children from Magnolia who are not only successful academically, but who are empathetic and kind human beings. She is a teacher first and believes that the outdoor environment is an ideal place for a child’s imagination to soar and relationships to flourish.
Jenny has two children, Jackson and Grace, and two stepsons, Connor and Sean. The oldest three are currently attending college and her daughter, Grace, is a recent high school graduate. Her husband, Bob, supplies her with constant love and laughter.
Kevin is an avid reader and backcountry outdoor enthusiast who spent most of his career in broadcast television, including 15 years as an award-winning chief meteorologist and environmental reporter in Southern Oregon where he was able to share his curiosity about the natural world doing special presentations at local elementary schools. He earned his meteorology credentials from Mississippi State University.
For many years, Kevin taught jujitsu to adults and children – including his own kids (who are all grown up now). After “retirement,” Kevin moved to Maui where he served as lifeguard and swim instructor at the Maui County YMCA, and guided snorkel and whale watching tours. Since returning home to the Pacific Northwest, when not visiting friends and family, Kevin takes every opportunity to explore the forests, mountains, and beaches on weekend hikes with his high-school-sweetheart wife and their very old dog, Crash.
Sally has been teaching early childhood to elementary aged children since 2009. She has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood to 6th grade education from Texas State University and is a certified teacher in Texas. She has had many jobs teaching, caring for, and finding joy with children.
Sally was a public school teacher for 4 years. A camp counselor, a kayak instructor, and a preschool teacher in Texas. She moved to Washington because of her own desire to have a stronger connection with nature and her personal experience with how much happier, healthier, and stronger her student’s learned when outside.
She loves to play and learn alongside all of her students and watch them grow into independent and empathetic citizens of the world. She just finished working as the outdoor teacher for a preschool in Seattle and now has moved to Bremerton to be with her newly wed husband. In her free time she loves to hike with her husband and their dog Max, garden, camp, kayak, and learn foraging in the PNW.
William graduated from Olympic College in 2008 with a degree in Arts and Science with a special interest in both geology and biology. He started martial arts when he was young and eventually found a passion for it which led to becoming both a martial arts and fitness instructor for 15 years, helping guide children as young as two in developing important social, behavior, and character development skills. It has been one of the most influential parts of his life growing up and jumped on the opportunity to teach kids and fulfill the role as a mentor and fellow students.
A visit to his old elementary school helped him discover that it was time for a change of pace, which led him to Magnolia Forest School, where he has been given a new opportunity to influence children in a different way. Becoming a source of comfort and a guide for when they need him as well as a fellow student learning alongside them.
He believes in a hands-on learning approach and feels that there is no bigger motivation in learning than through having fun and making positive experiences. Helping equip children with fundamental skills and facilitating the time and space to practice those skills so that they can carry them for life. As a father and husband, William has been a member of our local Poulsbo community for many years.
Megan is a recent graduate of the University of Vermont where she studied Environmental Studies and Dance. While in Vermont she spent the majority of her time exploring the beauty of New England and growing her passion for outdoor education and accessibility.
Her previous position was at a nonprofit organization that provides afterschool outdoor programming for youth in low income housing. She loves spending time outside watching little explorers learn about the world around them and express themselves.
Megan spent a week driving across the country and was in awe of the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She can't wait to explore and grow with Magnolia this year!
Jackson is currently finishing his associates degree online in order to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education and Administration. He has worked at Magnolia for three summers and one school year, as well as babysitting and volunteering at vacation bible school.
Jackson heavily values the relationship between children and their play and how it is fused with their thoughts and environment. He hopes to continue working with children and their parents to help create a greater understanding of the importance of play in childhood.
Jackson’s hobbies include watching and playing sports, as well as reading about and studying other cultures and their values.
Holly graduated from Washington State University in 2012 with two degrees, one in Philosophy and the other in Human Development with an emphasis in Family Studies. She enjoyed her time in Pullman, WA immensely and even met her husband, Cody, there. Born and raised in western Washington though, she has always been drawn back to the mountains and the trees.
Holly’s professional background includes roles in both childcare and ministry, as a Teacher and Project Manager. She took time off to stay home with her two children, Luke and Riley, but felt the desire to return to meaningful, community-based work outside the home. Magnolia was the perfect fit!
Holly is excited to join the Magnolia team after watching her oldest son’s growth in the program last year. She has seen firsthand the benefits of outdoor education and Magnolia’s play-based mode. She can’t wait to share that magic with all the new and returning families this year.
Born and raised in small-town Iowa, Taylor has always been fascinated by the ability of the environment to influence how we develop, think, and feel. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture with a minor in psychology and a Master of Landscape Architecture with an emphasis on environmental psychology and risky play, both from Iowa State University. She is a member of the International Play Association, the United States Play Coalition, and the Washington Nature Preschool Association.
Taylor has spent much of her life working with children, and she strives to continue to see the world with the wonder and joy of a child. She loves to climb, play, and spend time in nature, is a passionate musician, and starts every day with a strong cup of coffee and a song.
Angela graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Zoology and a music minor. Her years in veterinary medicine and wildlife rehabilitation satisfied her love of science, nature and caretaking. When she accepted a teaching position in her daughter’s toddler class, she fell in love with early childhood education.
Angela started as a “Science Days” docent at Magnolia, and felt inspired by the children’s imagination and cooperation. She values making connections with the kids and watching them have “light bulb” moments.
Her spare time is spent paddleboarding, playing music, making amigurumi, gardening and of course, playing outside with her family. Angela is looking forward to more discoveries in the forest with the children of Magnolia.
Becky graduated from Northern Arizona University, with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Studies, where she developed a passion for local food sustainability, community development, and conscious living. Through these experiences she has nurtured a spiritual and loving connection with nature.
Becky started working at Magnolia Forest Preschool to fulfill her dream of working with children. This school has offered her a wonderful opportunity to blend her environmental passions with her goals to offer more loving-kindness and compassion to the world. It gives her great joy to watch children express their True Self and grow their understanding through creative, outdoor play.
Becky is excited to continue her personal journey with Magnolia Forest Preschool to nurture, inspire, and guide our children.
Jonah is a Junior working towards a degree in Strategic Communication through Liberty University. He brings his experience working at various summer camps and as an AWANA leader. In his free time he enjoys reading, hiking, and collecting comics.
Jonah has a love for science and is excited to re-discover the world through the children's eyes. He is looking forward to joining the Magnolia team.
At six unique campuses across Sequim, Edmonds, and Poulsbo, Washington, Magnolia children learn rain and shine. Preschool (ages 2.5-5) and Adventure (K-5th grade) programs meet September through June. We welcome lots of new friends at our summer camps, too!
SEE ALL LOCATIONSWe 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! If you are a newly enrolled family, stay tuned for details about our Back to School Open House where you can meet the teachers and see the forest spaces.
Schedule VisitForest 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. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and hope to see you in the forest soon!
