Blueprint for an Outdoor Learning Environment
You’re a teacher who knows there’s a better way but isn’t sure where to start. You’re a homeschool mom who knows what’s best for her kids but not sure how to execute it. You’ve been dreaming of this micro school for a long time but haven’t made the leap.
From designing and building a classroom to supporting kids using emergent curriculum, this blueprint guides you through creating the outdoor learning environment of your dreams. With over 100 pages including plenty of photos and an appendix of templates written by Barefeet Farm School’s founding director, this blueprint is full of practical knowledge and guided dreaming.
Whether it’s an outdoor preschool or a backyard homeschool classroom, this guide will set the foundation.
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The story of Barefeet Farm School: how it went from six kids in a field to 36 kids and 6 teachers over the course of six years. Stories and lessons that we learned so you don’t have to.
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The guidance you need to dream up your learning environment and start from scratch. We’ll cover location, design, pedagogy, and leadership to customize your space to fit your goals.
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Practical advice based on experience: licensing, policies, record keeping, enrollment, maintenance, documentation, staffing, and more
What’s inside
Table of Contents
Where to start
The Story of Barefeet Farm School: numbers and logistics
Definitions
Program planning: feelings first
Barefeet Farm School’s Business Model
Licensing
Pros and Cons of Licensing
Policies
Marketing
Daily Schedule
Morning and Afternoon Meeting
Building a Classroom
Record Keeping
Qualifications and Staffing
Professional Development and Continuing Education
Child Led Free Play
Transitions and travelling
Gear and Weather
Enrollment Process
Observations and Documentation
Liabilities to Consider
Family Partnerships and Community Building
Substitutes, volunteers, welcoming people into the classroom
A year-long schedule of all the repeating tasks we do
Communicating with families
Random tips
Personal ties, growth, and closing thoughts
Appendix
Winter Gear Guide
Pre-school year prep handout
How to support child led free play flow chart
Priorities Brainstorming reference sheet
Risk Analysis
Creating a Childproof Environment
Facility Information
Open ended toys vs. loose parts
Phrases to say mini poster
Planning for dreams worksheet
BFS Preschool Handbook
Staff Training example outline
Marketing Poster example
Enrollment Form example