Our Mission
Room to Roam follows the Forest School philosophy. We believe that children are capable and whole, and that nature is one of the best teachers. Our role is to provide gentle guidance and support while giving children the freedom to explore, take part in adventures, and develop a meaningful connection with the natural environment.
Our goal is to give local preschool children the opportunity to learn teamwork and healthy conflict resolution while building strong friendships and a sense of care for the Earth. We model kindness and empathy in our interactions and create a supportive environment where children can grow into their best selves. Along the way, they make joyful memories and develop a strong foundation in communication, curiosity, and inquiry-based learning.
Our View of the Child
At Room to Roam, we believe that children are naturally curious, creative, and capable learners. Everything is new to them, and their fresh perspective inspires wonder and discovery. We encourage children to explore their world, ask questions, and connect deeply with nature.
Learning happens best through play. Outdoors, children engage all their senses, experiment, and discover for themselves. Play is how they make sense of the world, develop confidence, and build important life skills.
Every child has a voice, and we listen. We treat children with respect, guide gently, and create a supportive environment where they can grow into their best selves—curious, capable, and connected to the world around them.
A Day at Room to Roam
No two days are alike in our outdoor program as we consider our environment, the weather and the children’s interests to guide us in what we do each day. Generally we follow the structure set out below:
Opening Circle time – welcome song, discussion and/or songs and kindness pledge
Leave our meet up spot – we get our backpack on and walk to a location to explore for the morning.
Free play and exploration
Gathering time with snack and/or tea and story telling
Sit spot – we sit quietly for a time of reflection and connection with nature
Closing Circle time – reflection and gratitude
Return to meet up spot.
Benefits of outdoor education
There are many reasons why the outdoors is so beneficial for children. Nature inspires and promotes creativity. Outside, children encounter simple materials such as sticks, rocks, sand, and mud, which can become anything their imagination allows. A stick, for example, might become a fishing pole, an ice cream cone, a car, a treasure, or even a pet. It can also be used to build a fort, create a pretend campfire, or construct a tower. This type of open-ended play fosters a child’s natural imagination and creativity.
The outdoors is also an ideal setting for children to assess risk and face challenges. Nature is an unpredictable environment. It may rain, the terrain can be uneven, and there may be roots to step over or boulders to climb. Physically, it is a much more varied and challenging environment than most indoor spaces or playgrounds. In natural settings, children learn to observe, assess, and evaluate risks. Through these experiences, they discover what they are capable of and build confidence in their abilities.
In addition, the outdoors offers a rich sensory experience. Young children are naturally suited for outdoor play because their developing brains are primed to absorb the many sensations nature provides. They experience the scent of leaves, soil, and flowers; the feel of grass, tree bark, and mud; and the sounds of running water, raindrops, and birds. It is a full sensory experience, but one that rarely overwhelms. In contrast, a room full of children indoors can quickly become noisy and overstimulating. Outdoors, children’s senses are fully engaged while still allowing space for calm and focus. In this environment, a child’s natural sense of wonder can truly flourish.
