FAQ

A forest school is exactly what it sounds like—a school in a forest, in this case, Astoria Park! Forest schools are the U.S. version of Forest Kindergartens (Waldgindergarten), which have been popular in Germany, Switzerland, and Scandinavia for decades. The movement has seen marked growth in the United States in the last decade, with tremendous growth during Covid. Locally, forest schools exist in Prospect Park, Central Park, Forest Park, Sunset Park, and various pocket parks throughout NYC. Astoria Sprouts will be the first dedicated forest school in our neighborhood!

Children who spend time in nature are more confident, have increased cognitive abilities, have better self-regulation skills, and are more socio-emotionally aware. They learn to problem solve and work with others and utilize their imaginations.

At Astoria Sprouts, we embrace the elements! There’s no bad weather, we just need the right clothes! Camp sessions are held entirely outdoors in sun, rain, snow, or cold. Cancellations are rare and occur only in cases of dangerous weather conditions. If a cancellation is necessary, families will be notified via Brightwheel by 7:00 a.m. on the day of camp. Spring & Fall Sessions: When a weather-related cancellation occurs, an alternative make-up day will be offered. Outside of these scheduled opportunities, additional make-up days are not available. Summer Sessions: In the event of weather-related closures, make-up days will be offered when possible and handled on a case-by-case basis. If weather conditions allow us to begin the day but require an early dismissal, those shortened days or hours will not be made up.

Children should be dropped off at and picked up from the benches located at 19th Street and 24th Avenue.

Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. Spring & Fall Sessions: We offer up to two make-up classes for absences due to personal reasons, including illness or travel. Make-up dates will be arranged by Astoria Sprouts as space allows. In the event of a weather-related cancellation, an alternative make-up day will be offered. Outside of these scheduled make-up opportunities, additional make-up days are not available. Summer Sessions: In the event of weather-related closures, make-up days will be offered when possible and on a case-by-case basis. If weather conditions allow us to begin the day but require an early dismissal, those shortened days or hours will not be made up.

Children who are not potty-trained are welcome. Please pack a folding changing mat, diapers, and wipes. Potty-trained children will utilize public facilities when available. When they are not available, a portable children’s potty will be utilized. A spray hand soap or hand sanitizer will also be used.

No. Please pack plenty of healthy snacks and water each day. Your children will be engaged in active play, and they will get hungry! We will have time set-aside for group snack time, but children can also snack whenever they please.

No nap time will be provided. Children who need a morning nap should not be registered.

For children aged two to four, the ratio is 4:1, though there will always be a minimum of two teachers present.

Astoria Sprouts uses Bright Wheel, a daycare app that allows real-time communication. Bright Wheel is also utilized for payment, sharing of individualized photos, forms and documentation, etc. It is our communication hub.