FOR THE PARENTS

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

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

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.

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!

Class Days and Hours

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

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.

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

Option 1

Monday, Wednesday & Friday

8am – 12noon or 2:30pm – 6pm

Option 2

Tuesday & Thursday

8am – 12noon or 2:30pm – 6pm

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 in February for summer dates.

We will be closed for the following holidays and breaks (see NYC Board of Education calendar for most updated holidays): Labor Day, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Holiday (Thurs-Fri), Winter Vacation (one week through Jan 1st), Martin Luther King Day, Lunar New Year, Eid a Fitr, Midwinter Recess and Spring Break (one week) as well as 2 Staff Development Days. We offer day camps on select holidays and breaks.

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.

Monthly Tuition and Fees

Regular Program Under 2* Over 2*

Full Day $2,200 $2,000

Half Day - 2 Days/Week $800 $600

Half Day - 3 Days/Week $1,150 $900

Half Day - 5 Days/Week $1,550 $1,400

Day Rate based on availability:

Half Day Drop Off Rate N/A $ 90

Full Day Drop Off Rate N/A $200

Afterschool Program (2:30pm - 5:30pm) billed per season**

Spring Season thru June 27th Full Week $3,500

Spring Season thru June 27th Mon/Wed/Fri $2,600

Spring Season thru June 27th Tues/Thurs $1,920

School Holiday Day Camp Series

Half Day (8am-noon) $ 90 per day

Full Day (8am-5pm) $200 per day

Full Week (Monday through Friday) $900

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

* Age is determined by birthdate.

** Fee adjusted for DOE school holidays.

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.

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 $100 application fee.

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.

Application: completed by parent/guardian.

One Time Application Fee: $100

After placement and prior to the first day of attendance:

Deposit: one-month tuition.

Tuition: first month tuition due. For your convenience, we accept ACH, check, money order or Venmo and PayPal

Child Registration: completed by parent/guardian.

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

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

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