Our mission is to make nature based education accessible to a greater population of children in our city by:

  • Creating child-led, inquiry & play-based programming that utilizes city green spaces.

  • Raising substantial funds for tuition assistance to expand access to our programming for children across the city with an ultimate goal of making our programs tuition-free for all families.

  • Supporting schools and their teachers through professional development and consulting opportunities. Providing them with a tangible framework to bring nature & play based outdoor programming to the families and communities they serve.

Philosophy & Guiding Principles

We believe that children are unique and whole as they are. They learn and express themselves in different ways and should be provided with multiple and varied opportunities to explore and experiment, get messy and dirty, to immerse themselves in tactile play and sensory exploration. Safe, natural spaces provide ample opportunities to support this development.

Nature play brings forth inquiry, debate, and challenge. In an environment where children can be trusted with open-ended and natural materials to create and play with, and teachers modeling support and guiding each child as we learn from each other, Educators can create communities of care within their classrooms that provide children with a tangible foundation for skills like empathy, consent, and care for themselves and all living things around them.

Children who are encouraged at a young age to explore, question, and create inherently develop the math, science, and literacy skills they need for success later in life. Our approach is an organic and individualized one, rather than an academic one, and we are committed to empowering others with this approach to education.

When given regular opportunities to learn, play, and explore outdoors, children inevitably develop a love, respect, and appreciation for nature that they carry with them for the rest of their lives. Children that are well-supported and encouraged to take the time to observe, play, explore, and get messy in a natural environment are developing the skills necessary to create mindfulness, empathy, and balance in our fast-paced, technology-driven world.

Our classes provide children with opportunities to actively participate in taking care of one other and the living things around them through playful nature immersion. Our teachers strive to create safe, supportive environments for play and meaningful risk-taking.

With greater access to the outdoors, an approach that encourages a love and respect for the natural world, and confidence in each child's capabilities and ideas, we can empower all educators with the tools necessary to weave nature and play within their schools curriculum.

All children deserve access to safe, high-quality nature based programming. For this reason, we have never turned away a family who wants to join our programs based on finances. As reported by Natural Start: “Virtually every nature preschool operates with tuition, but there are options for families to help cover costs. About 56% of programs offer scholarships, tuition assistance, or sliding scales based on income. About 25% of programs operate with some form of public funding...”

Currently, 10% of our Brooklyn Nature Days families receive tuition assistance. At Wonderforest, 30% of our families receive tuition assistance, with all but two of those families receiving 50%-100% off their individual tuitions covered by aid. In order to sustain this level of assistance, we need your help!

How we put your donations to work

All contributions will:

  • Help to grow our financial aid scholarship fund for Wonderforest Nature Preschool and Brooklyn Nature Days , enabling us to continue to serve all families looking to enroll their child in our nature-based programming, regardless of their ability to pay.

  • Ensure teachers at Wonderforest Nature Preschool and Brooklyn Nature Days are supported through equitable salary, benefits, and ample resources.

  • Provide enrichment courses for teachers and local schools through professional development and outreach.

  • Support funding for future community based nature immersions and services.

BK Natur(ed) is a 501(c)3 charity. Your contributions are tax-deductible and may be eligible for a corporate matching program at the company where you work.

Our Tax ID is 92-0728289