See Forest School in Action
Schedule a tour of our outdoor preschool in Olympia and discover nature-based learning that prepares children for kindergarten
Visit our 16-acre outdoor classroom. Meet our educators. Watch learning come alive.
Our Location
Olympia, WA
Serving families in the South Bay Neighborhood, Henderson Inlet, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and South Sound
Serving families in the South Bay Neighborhood, Henderson Inlet, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and South Sound
Email us 24/7
Contact
@HiddenMeadow
School.org
@HiddenMeadow
School.org
Call or Text
(360) 259-7196
Why Schedule a Tour?
Forest school is different from traditional preschool. Seeing it in person answers questions no website can.
See It to Believe It
You have questions: Is it safe? What if it rains? How do children learn outside? A tour shows you how our forest school combines outdoor exploration with academic readiness in ways traditional programs cannot.
Meet the Educators
Our lead educator has a Master’s in Early Childhood Education and years of experience creating inclusive, nurturing environments. Meet the team who will guide your child’s growth and see if it feels like the right fit.
Explore 16 Acres
Walk the forest trails. Visit the creek. See the garden, greenhouse, chickens, and natural playground. Our outdoor classroom is unlike anything you have seen at traditional preschools in Olympia or Lacey.
Understand Our Approach
We are not anti-academic. We teach letters, numbers, patterns, and problem-solving through nature. See how kindergarten readiness and outdoor learning work together, not against each other.
Watch Children Thrive
See children engaged, focused, and genuinely happy. Watch a 3-year-old solve problems independently, a 4-year-old mentor a younger child, a 5-year-old explain the life cycle of a butterfly. This is learning that sticks.
Trust Your Gut
Choosing childcare is emotional. You need to feel it, not just read about it. A tour lets you assess safety, cleanliness, teacher interactions, and whether your child would be happy here. Your instincts matter.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Choose the path that is right for your family
Visit our outdoor preschool, walk the trails, meet Ms. Molly, and see nature-based learning in action. Tours run Monday – Thursday mornings.
Ready to enroll? Our full-day program (ages 3-6) runs Monday-Thursday, 9am-3pm. Limited spots available for the 2026-2027 school year.
What to Expect on Your Tour
A typical tour lasts 45-60 minutes and gives you a complete picture of our forest school
Welcome & Indoor Classroom
We’ll meet you when you arrive and start in our “indoor” classroom space. This is where we gather for morning circle, hang coats, and take shelter when needed. You’ll see our Kindness Tree, carpet area for stories and songs, and learn about our indoor routine. We’ll explain how we use this space to support outdoor learning and transition smoothly throughout the day.
Outdoor Classroom & Play Space
Next, we head outside to where the real magic happens! We’ll show you our outdoor classroom and play areas, explain our outdoor routine, and walk you through a typical day. You’ll see the attached trail that children have free access to explore during outdoor time. This is where children spend most of their day learning, playing, and discovering.
Creek, Trails & Chickens
If you’re up for a walk (and we hope you are!), we’ll take you past our chickens to the Creek Shelter. You’ll see the creek where children explore water, observe wildlife, and test their balance on logs. We’ll walk some of the trails children use daily. If your child is with you, this is their chance to show you how brave they are at the creek and on the trails while we chat about the program.
Questions, Conversation & Next Steps
Throughout the tour, we’ll answer all your questions as they come up. There’s no formal Q&A at the end, just natural conversation as we walk and explore together. By the end, you’ll have a clear sense of what daily life looks like at Hidden Meadow School. We’ll discuss enrollment, timing, and next steps if you’re ready, or simply say goodbye if you need time to think.
Make the Most of Your Tour
Come Prepared
・Bring a list of your questions
・Think about your child’s needs and learning style
・Review our website beforehand so you know the basics
・Bring a partner or support person if helpful
・Think about your child’s needs and learning style
・Review our website beforehand so you know the basics
・Bring a partner or support person if helpful
What to Wear
・Comfortable, closed-toe shoes (we’ll be walking on trails)
・Weather-appropriate clothing (we tour rain or shine!)
・Layers if it’s chilly
・Clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty
・Weather-appropriate clothing (we tour rain or shine!)
・Layers if it’s chilly
・Clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty
Bringing Your Child?
・Let us know in advance so we can plan
・Bring snacks and water if needed
・Don’t worry if they’re shy or excited
・They can explore while you tour
・Bring snacks and water if needed
・Don’t worry if they’re shy or excited
・They can explore while you tour
Questions to Ask
・How do you handle challenging behaviors?
・What does a typical day look like?
・How do you teach academic skills?
・What support is available for my child’s specific needs?
・What does a typical day look like?
・How do you teach academic skills?
・What support is available for my child’s specific needs?
Have Questions?
We’re Here to Help
Whether you’re curious about our outdoor preschool, wondering if forest school is right for your child, or need specific information, we’d love to hear from you.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Still wondering? These are the questions we hear most often
We go outside every day, rain or shine. Children wear weather-appropriate gear, and we have sheltered areas for extreme weather. There is no bad weather, only bad clothing!
We teach pre-literacy, pre-math, social-emotional skills, and problem-solving through nature. Children learn letters by searching for them in bark patterns, counting through nature collections, and patterns through seasons. It’s academics through exploration.
Safety is our top priority. Our 16-acre site is fully fenced and assessed for hazards. We maintain low teacher-to-child ratios, have first aid training, and teach children to assess risk appropriately while exploring.
Absolutely. Our lead educator has a Master’s in Special Education. We welcome neurodivergent children, adapt for sensory needs, and create inclusive environments where all children can thrive.
Our program ranges from $500-$1,100/month depending on days per week (2 or 4 days), and half or full day enrollment. You can check out our Tuition and Enrollment page here.
We accept rolling enrollment based on availability. We currently have availability. Schedule a tour to discuss current openings and start dates. Or fill out our enrollment form to get started.
“Since he started at Hidden Meadow, I’ve watched him blossom in so many ways. His communication skills have grown tremendously, and he’s become much more independent, getting himself ready and even asking to help around the house.
Now when we’re outside, he points out birds, plants, bugs, and seasonal changes I never noticed him paying attention to before. He wants to learn how to cook, clean, and do laundry alongside me. His emotional regulation has improved so much.
He’s calmer when things don’t go his way and problem-solves before reacting. Every day he comes home excited to share stories about his adventures, and I can see him expressing himself with a confidence he didn’t have before.”
Now when we’re outside, he points out birds, plants, bugs, and seasonal changes I never noticed him paying attention to before. He wants to learn how to cook, clean, and do laundry alongside me. His emotional regulation has improved so much.
He’s calmer when things don’t go his way and problem-solves before reacting. Every day he comes home excited to share stories about his adventures, and I can see him expressing himself with a confidence he didn’t have before.”
-Kady G.
Parent of 4 year old
Visit Us in Olympia
Our Address
South Bay Neighborhood, Henderson Inlet
Olympia, Washington
Exact address provided upon tour scheduling for privacy and security
Olympia, Washington
Exact address provided upon tour scheduling for privacy and security
Easy Access From
Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and surrounding South Sound communities. Convenient for families throughout Thurston County.
Our Setting
16 acres of forest, meadows, gardens, creeks, and natural play areas. A true outdoor classroom unlike traditional preschool facilities.
For directions and the exact address, please contact us to schedule your tour. We protect our location privacy for the safety of our students and families.
Ready to See Forest School in Action?
The best way to understand our outdoor preschool is to experience it yourself. Schedule a tour, meet our educators, and see children thriving in nature.