Vinegar Flats Farm School
Spokane, Washington
Farm school was developed out of the forest kindergarten model, where free play outdoors forms the basis for children’s learning experiences and makes up the largest part of their day. Our mixed-age approach benefits children in many ways and helps us build a community that models the love and care which is more naturally in sync with how children learn. There are limited options for play and nature-based early learning in Spokane and we seek to be a part of changing that by helping children develop a deeper awareness of the growing seasons and their food sources.
Program Details (2024/2025)
AGES: 3-6. Children must be age 3 by September 1st (2024) of the school year. Children who turn 7 before June 1st (2025) of the school year are not eligible to enroll.
STUDENT-TO-TEACHER RATIO: 5:1
CLASS SIZE: 10 children
PROGRAM OPTIONS: Tuesday/Thursday OR Wednesday/Friday
HOURS: 9:30am-12:30pm
TUITION: $315.00/month
REGISTRATION FEE: $100 per child
Why We Are Unique
With our 1:5 teacher-to-child ratio, children have the space to safely explore and engage with their environment through play. We know that young children learn best through play and that true play is intrinsically motivated, freely chosen, and creative. Our programs provide the time and space that children need to engage in deep, curious play together. We believe that this play is essential and that it happens best outdoors.
Our programs offer two healthy, organic snacks per school day. We gather in the middle of our day to share a warm snack and herbal tea. This special time is used to nourish our bodies, to model gratitude for our food and where it comes from, and to engage in conversations together. At the end of our day, we also provide a handheld snack - typically an in-season fruit or vegetable.
We nurture children in our program by providing them with familiar daily routines, gentle rhythms of rest and play, and loving guidance and support in an inspiring outdoor setting. As mentors, our teachers work hard to observe, recognize, and honor each child’s gifts. Throughout the week we practice awareness, thankfulness, and respect of self, others, and the natural world.
Our talented staff are early childhood educators, trained in forest school pedagogy, and are all first aid and CPR certified. To view our current staff profiles click here.
A ‘Sample’ Day at Farm School:
9:30 - Drop Off: Welcome and Sign-in
9:40 - Exploration and Discovery: Unstructured Play
10:45 - Circle Time: Gathering for Songs, Fingerplays,
Group Games, Discussion
11:00 - Snack: Family-style Warm Snack & Tea
11:30 - Adventure: Hike/Visit Secondary Play
Space/Special Activity
12:15 - Gather for Story/Recall/Handheld Snack
12:30 - Pickup: Sign-out and Goodbye Song
Vinegar Flats Farm
Vinegar Flats Farm sits on 40 acres above Latah Creek in the Vinegar Flats neighborhood, only 5 minutes from downtown Spokane. Vinegar Flats Farm’s mission is to grow sustainable, tasty, and beautiful food that is truly local and provide produce for local restaurants, farmers markets, and CSA customers. It is a lovely quiet setting that includes wild spots for exploring native flora and fauna as well as the large cultivated vegetable beds, running stream, an abundance of native wildlife, and more.
