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Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year now open!
Interested in enrolling for the 2026-2027 school year? We invite you to click the button below (or check your email if you are signed up for updates). You will set up an account on Brightwheel and select the classes you are interested in, and we will be in touch if there are spots available to fit your needs.
We are currently fully enrolled for the 2025-2026 school year, but you can still sign up for the waitlist for all spots. In our experience, enrollment can fluctuate throughout the year, so we encourage you to sign up for the waitlist and we will contact you if a spot becomes available!
The same form also adds you to our prospective student list, with email updates about open houses, enrollment, etc.
Tuition Rates for the 2026-2027 School Year
The 2026-2027 school year will be September 2nd-June 30th (we generally follow Bellingham school district breaks & holidays). All classes will take place from 8:30 AM-1:30 PM with a student to teacher ratio of 4:1 (12 students and 3 teachers).
Tuition covers:
- insurance costs
- classroom supplies and maintenance
- planning time for curriculum development and family communication/support
- paying teachers a living wage
| Days | Total Monthly Cost | Total Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 5 days/week Mon-Fri | $1,103 | $11,030 |
| 3 days/week Mon/Wed/Fri | $662 | $6,620 |
| 3 days/week Tue/Thu/Fri | $662 | $6,620 |
| 2 days/week Mon/Wed | $441 | $4,410 |
| 2 days/week Tue/Thu | $441 | $4,410 |
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for our program, students must be between the ages of 3-5 by September 1st of that school year, and must be "potty confident".
"Potty confident" means your child wears regular underwear during the day, is able to recognize when they need to use the bathroom, takes their layers on and off, etc. The outdoor preschool learning environment can be challenging for developing potty skills. Added variables include: managing multiple layers, being distracted by playing with peers, a new environment and composting toilet, etc. The added stress of bathroom related needs and frequent accidents at school can be a significant barrier to other learning for little ones. That is why we require that students are consistently demonstrating "potty confidence" at home, so there is a strong foundation to build these new (outdoor preschool specific) potty skills upon.
Some things to ask yourself might be:
- Does my child pull down their layers on their own?
- Does my child know when they need to go to the bathroom or do I need to give them frequent reminders?
- Does my child wipe themselves independently?
- Is my child no longer having frequent accidents (multiple times a week)?
Since kiddos this age are changing a lot from month to month, parents are often working on these skills at home leading up to the school year, letting us know if their kiddo is not quite ready and they need to withdraw before the school year starts.
Financial Assistance
Families enrolled in our program will be eligible to apply for tuition subsidies from the state (restrictions apply- click here for more details), or financial assistance directly from us. Indicate on your enrollment form that you are in need of financial assistance, and once we have a more clear picture of how much we can offer we will reach out!
Tuition+
We are also excited to announce our “Tuition+” system this year: families can opt into adding a $10/$20 monthly donation to their tuition to support our financial assistance program. In the past, we have relied upon grants and donations to increase the small amount of financial assistance we can allocate in our budget; but grants are inconsistent and a small school budget is limited, so we need to diversify our avenues for financial equity. We are hopeful that Tuition+ will help increase our capacity to provide equitable options for more families!
Additional Costs & Required Gear
We acknowledge that providing gear for your child to be safe and comfortable outdoors year round can be a significant added cost. This gear includes:
- rain pants
- rain jacket
- waterproof boots
- warm layers
- hats and gloves, etc.
If finding or providing gear for your child is a barrier for your family to participate in our program, please reach out to us. We can provide more information/recommendations, and we have a limited amount of outdoor clothing that we can loan out on an as-needed basis. We are also now selling wholesale, discounted rain shell mittens and have partnerships with kids outdoor gear companies for other discounts!
Quick Questions
Is my child old enough?
Students must be between the ages of 3-5 by September 1st of the school year, and consistently "potty confident" at home. The full checklist is under Eligibility Requirements.
What does tuition cost, and are there other fees?
Between $441 and $1,103 per month depending on a 2, 3, or 5 day/week schedule. The rates table has every option. There are no application, registration, or supply fees; September tuition serves as the deposit, and siblings each receive a 5% discount.
What if tuition is out of reach for our family?
Enrolled families can apply for state subsidies or assistance directly from us. Just note it on your enrollment form. See Financial Assistance for details.
What are the school hours and dates?
Classes run 8:30 AM-1:30 PM, and the school year runs September 2nd-June 30th, generally following Bellingham school district breaks and holidays.
What will my child need to wear?
Weatherproof layers for a year outdoors: rain gear, boots, warm layers, hats and gloves. We have loaner gear and discounts if that's a barrier; see Additional Costs & Required Gear.