Neighbourhood Stops and Shops: Toronto Nature School continues growing alongside its students
Children and youth across Canada are seriously behind in terms of physical fitness and outdoor time, according to a cross-country report card from ParticipACTION that came out this spring.
But, this sure isn’t the case at Toronto Nature School, a unique private school operating out of the Beach that takes a natural and holistic approach to early education.
Founded by Julia Donnelly O’Neill, the school has been a beacon of outdoor learning and development, thriving since its inception. Toronto Nature School, initially known as Beaches Nature School, began as a 10-week, three-day-a-week program in 2020 in the midst of Covid-19 pandemic closures.
Donnelly O’Neill, an Ontario Certified Elementary Teacher with a passion for outdoor education, was inspired by her collaboration with the David Suzuki Foundation in 2014, where she saw firsthand the benefits of integrating nature into the curriculum. Her vision was to create a learning environment that leveraged the outdoors, and it resonated deeply with parents and students.
The overwhelming success of the initial program led Donnelly O’Neill to incorporate the program as Toronto Nature School and establish an official program space in the Beach in 2021. Since then, the Toronto Nature School has been growing alongside its students, continually expanding its offerings to meet the needs of the community. Needs that are often unable to be met in more formal educational settings.
One of the most exciting developments is the launch of Toronto Nature School’s full-day kindergarten program, which will start this September. Due to numerous parent requests, Donnelly O’Neill and her team have been hard at work creating a comprehensive kindergarten program that combines forest school principles and philosophy with inspiration from the four frames of the Ministry of Education’s kindergarten curriculum.
This one-of-a-kind immersive experience ensures that children are ready to enter grade one in the public school system or transition to the next stage of their learning journey. “Our full-time kindergarten option provides a different choice from the Ministry of Education’s full-day kindergarten program while still being in line with ministry standards,” shares Donnelly O’Neill, emphasizing that the teaching of literacy and math is incorporated into the daily schedule while opportunities for learning in all subjects are integrated into outdoor exploration time.
In addition to the full-day kindergarten program, Toronto Nature School is introducing a monthly program called “Forest Fridays” for school-aged children in grades 4-6. This once-a-month program allows older children to spend a day in nature, learning essential life skills and educational lessons that might not be available in more structured school settings.
“You can’t ‘age out of nature’, so we wanted to provide this opportunity for older kids to get some of what we offer in our programming,” says Julia, sharing that this type of program had been heavily requested over the past several years as some of the school’s original students began aging out of the programming.
Forest Fridays are designed to bridge the gap between traditional education and the holistic, nature-based approach of Toronto Nature School. Children will have the chance to learn and grow through hands-on activities, fostering a deeper connection with the natural world and enhancing their overall well-being. The program aims to provide a break from the typical classroom environment, offering a unique and enriching experience that complements their regular schooling.
In addition to its new offerings, Toronto Nature School has a wide range of programs for ages three to 12, including before and after school care, camps, and weekend clubs. Their After School Adventure Club and Morning Walk Before Care programs focus on engaging kids with outdoor activities and fostering a connection with nature. The Weekend Nature Club offers children aged 4-10 an exciting three-hour exploration of the beach and forest, combining educational experiences with the benefits of being outdoors.
The mission of Toronto Nature School is to create an accessible outdoor learning space for children that celebrates the environmental diversity of the urban community. The school emphasizes play and nature-based learning as the central paths to healthy and happy development. By integrating the Ontario curriculum with outdoor education, Toronto Nature School ensures that children receive a well-rounded education that nurtures both their academic and personal growth.
Donnelly O’Neill’s vision for the school continues to evolve as she remains dedicated to providing the best possible educational experience for her students. The program’s success is a testament to the benefits of outdoor learning and its positive impact on children’s development. Parents have told Donnelly O’Neill that enrolling their child in the program has completely shifted dynamics at home and in other educational experiences.
Toronto Nature School tailors its curriculum to meet kids where they are, using play and nature to scaffold learning, which makes it easier for kids to focus and learn. Numerous reports and data showcase that in more formally structured education settings, children (particularly boys) struggle to meet the requirements and standards set out by ministry officials and educators, often being labelled as having ‘bad behaviour’ or potentially being misdiagnosed with a learning disability.
Toronto Nature School’s commitment to providing a unique and enriching educational experience ensures that its students are not just prepared for academic success, but also for a lifetime of learning and connection with the natural world. Donnelly O’Neill’s innovative approach to education continues to receive significant interest and positive feedback from families, and she’s eager to continue expanding her programming to reach more children.
On Saturday, Aug. 17, interested families can drop by Toronto Nature School’s Open House from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 2245 Queen St. E Lower Level to learn more about the school’s unique nature-based curriculum and programming that has earned them recognition as one of Toronto’s top private schools.
For more information about Toronto Nature School and its programs, please visit the website at https://torontonatureschool.ca/ or contact them directly at hello@torontonatureschool.ca to inquire about enrolment.
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