FOR THE PARENTS

Welcome to Kew Kids Forest School!  We are excited to begin a journey of learning, exploring, growing, and celebrating together.  

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Do you remember as a child?

• Building forts 

• Digging holes “to China”

• Making mud pies

• Daydreaming in a special hiding place

• Meeting your bug friends

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These activities are all nature play: unstructured childhood play in the outdoors.  Nature play isn’t scheduled, planned, or led by adults.  Instead, it’s open-ended, free-time exploration and recreation.  For many of us, this sort of nature play virtually defined our childhoods.  The children will be able to enjoy our Forest Park classroom year round.  Parents and children must understand that these outdoor activities will often get the children wet, dirty, hot and/or cold. 

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Good outdoor clothes are a must (please visit the Outdoor Gear page).  Children will need to be prepared everyday to go outside.  As long as the weather is safe, we will go out and play!

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Class Days and Hours

We are open 8:00am – 6:00pm, Monday through Friday.

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FULL DAY

• Five-day from 8am - 6pm Monday through Friday includes breakfast and two snacks per day.  We ask that parents pack lunch so we can enjoy on a picnic blanket or outdoor table.

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HALF DAY

• Two, three, and five-day from 8:00am - Noon includes snacks and time for lunch at 11am

• Two, three, and five-day from 2:30pm - 6:00pm includes snacks

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       Option 1

       Monday, Wednesday & Friday

       8am – 12noon or 2:30pm – 6pm

       Option 2

       Tuesday & Thursday 

       8am – 12noon or 2:30pm – 6pm

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       Option 3

       Monday to Friday

       8am – 12noon or 2:30pm – 6pm

School Calendar

We follow a ten month academic calendar from September to June.  Summer programs are optional and calendars are released on May 1st for summer dates.  Older siblings are always welcome to join us on summer days as space allows. 

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We will be closed for the following holidays and breaks (see NYC Board of Education calendar for most updated holidays): Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Holiday (Thur-Fri), Winter Vacation (one week through Jan 1st), Martin Luther King Day, Midwinter Recess and Spring Break (one week).  We offer day camps on select holidays and breaks.

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For the safety of our students and families, we follow NYC Board of Education weather delays and cancellations.  There will be no credit granted for weather cancellations. 

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Monthly Tuition and Fees

Regular Program                                            Under 2*        Over 2*          

Full Day                                                            $1,900           $1,700

Half Day - 2 Days/Week                                     $750              $550

Half Day - 3 Days/Week                                  $1,025              $825

Half Day - 5 Days/Week                                  $1,400           $1,200

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Day Rate based on availability:

Half Day Drop Off Rate                                      N/A                $85

Full Day Drop Off Rate                                       N/A              $150

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School Holiday Day Camp Series

Half Day (8am-noon)                                                                $  80 per day  

Full Day (8am-6pm)                                                                  $150 per day

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Breakfast, AM and PM snacks included.  Please bring lunch.

*Age is determined by birthdate.  

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$50 Application fee per child is due with the enrollment application.  The application fee is non-refundable.  A one month deposit is required upon acceptance into the program. The deposit will be held and applied toward the last tuition payment. 

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For your convenience, we accept check, money order or PayPal at 'kewkidsforest@gmail.com' (use Friend's option).  

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Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment is on a rolling basis pending availability.  A spot will be reserved for your child upon completion of the enrollment packet and with the non-refundable $50 application fee. 

For nature walks and forest play, all children should be potty trained or use pull‐up diapers before enrollment.

All children must be prepared (and want!) to spend time outdoors rain or shine.

Application Process

Please complete the online application as well as forms the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene require for all children enrolled in an OCFS licensed program.  You can access each form by clicking on the highlighted titles below.  All forms and fees must be received prior to the first day of attendance.

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School Year or Summer Camp

• Application: completed by parent/guardian.

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• One Time Application Fee: $75 

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After placement and prior to the first day of attendance:

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• Deposit: one-month tuition.

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• Tuition: first month tuition due.  For your convenience, we accept check, money order or PayPal at 'kewkidsforest@gmail.com' (use Friend's option).  

• Child Registration: completed by parent/guardian. 

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• Medical Form: must be completed and signed by the child’s physician. 

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• Birth Certificate: provide a legible copy to be kept on file at school.

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• Waiver & Consent: completed by parent/guardian. 

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• Tell Us About You Questionnaire: completed by parent/guardian.

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• Parent Handbook Acknowledgment: completed by parent/guardian. 

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School Holiday Day Camp

• Application: completed by parent/guardian.

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• One Time Application Fee: $75 

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After placement and prior to the first day of attendance:

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• Deposit: full tuition due upon placement.  For your convenience, we accept check, money order or PayPal at 'kewkidsforest@gmail.com' (use Friend's option).  

• Child Registration: completed by parent/guardian. 

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• Medical Form: must be completed and signed by the child’s physician. ​

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• Waiver & Consent: completed by parent/guardian. 

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• Tell Us About You Questionnaire: completed by parent/guardian.

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All information shall remain confidential and limited to Kew Kids staff and OCFS personnel.