Outdoor Preschool Age Programs

Early Childhood With WYP

Meet our two outdoor preschool programs for early childhood: Woolly Bears & Chickadees

WYP Early Childhood Seasons

  • Fall Semester (15 Weeks): August 29 - December 15, 2023 (No Programs: Labor Day and Thanksgiving week)
  • Spring Semester (21 Weeks): January 3-June 2, 2023 (No Programs: March 27-31 & May 29)

Woolly Bears and Chickadees are outdoor preschool programs during the school year in Goleta, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria. Children connect with nature through play, curiosity and awareness. Developmentally appropriate routines include gratitude circles, games, and songs— all mirroring the patterns of surrounding nature.

By experiencing seasonal transitions outdoors, children have the opportunity to cultivate a heightened awareness of the subtleties of nature. They direct their own learning by investigating curiosity and ultimately can experience a deep sense of place. These opportunities for growth provide a foundation for physical, emotional, and social intelligence that lasts a lifetime.

Current Openings

Login to your account or create an account to join our waitlist and then email ertvfgene@jlc.bet with the weekly days you would like to attend.

  • Woolly Bears (Carpinteria): 2023-2024 openings
  • Woolly Bears (Goleta): Full; waitlist only
Preschool Square
Take a peak into Woolly Bear land
Chickadees 3-5 1 day/week nature enrichment program Learn More
Woolly Bears (Goleta) 2.5-5 2-4 days/week outdoor preschool program Learn More
Woolly Bears (Carpinteria) 3-5 2-4 days/week outdoor preschool program Learn More

Woolly Bears (Goleta)

Ages: 2.5-5
Meets Monday-Thursday, must attend at least 2 days
9AM - 1PM
Learn More

Woolly Bears (Carpinteria)

Ages: 3-5
Meets Tuesday-Friday, must attend at least 2 days
9AM - 1PM
Learn More

Chickadees

Ages: 3-5
Preschool age program: meets at one location
9AM - 1PM
Learn More

Woolly Bears (Goleta)

Woolly Bears is a nature immersion program because the group is together in the same location multiple days per week. In Woolly Bears, your child has the opportunity to continue a project or theme of play that they started the day before in a seamless manner. There is a strong continuity from day to day, week to week.
 
In this program, there are also opportunities for parents to participate if they choose; perhaps by coming out for a day occasionally, committing to one day/week as a volunteer, coordinating regular family potluck gatherings, and an annual campout at the Santa Ynez River.
 

AGES: 2.5-5 years

DAYS AND TIME: Monday-Thursday, 9 am-1 pm (enroll for 2-4 days a week) 

COST

  • (Fall 2023, 15 weeks): 2 days/week: $2,100, 3 days/week: $2,925, 4 days/week: $3,420

LOCATION: Tucker's Grove (Kiwanis Meadow)

LEAD INSTRUCTOR: Kelly Villarruel

QUESTIONS: Please direct all questions regarding enrollment, availability, pricing or scheduling visits to ertvfgene@jlc.bet.

REGISTER: Login to your account or create an account to join our waitlist. 

SCHOLARSHIPS: For families that would like financial assistance, please send us an email with your request to ertvfgene@jlc.bet.

Woolly Bears (Carpinteria Bluffs)

Woolly Bears is a nature immersion program because the group is together in the same location multiple days per week. In Woolly Bears, your child has the opportunity to continue a project or theme of play that they started the day before in a seamless manner. There is a strong continuity from day to day, week to week.
 
In this program, there are also opportunities for parents to participate if they choose; perhaps by coming out for a day occasionally, committing to one day/week as a volunteer, coordinating regular family potluck gatherings, and an annual campout at the Santa Ynez River.
 

AGES: 3-5 years

DAYS AND TIME: Tuesday-Friday, 9 am-1 pm (enroll for 2-4 days a week) 

LOCATION: Carpinteria Bluffs

COST

  • (Fall 2023, 15 weeks): 2 days/week: $2,100, 3 days/week: $2,925, 4 days/week: $3,600

LEAD INSTRUCTOR: Kristin Van Der Kar

QUESTIONS: Please direct all questions regarding enrollment, availability, or scheduling visits to ertvfgene@jlc.bet.

REGISTER: Login to your account or create an account to join our waitlist. 

SCHOLARSHIPS: For families that would like financial assistance, please send us an email with your request to ertvfgene@jlc.bet.

Chickadees

A one (or two) days per week drop-off enrichment program for young children to spend more time in nature. Each day has a rhythm, and new and different themes of play emerge from week to week.

AGES: 3-5

COST: See current schedule for price.

QUESTIONS: Please direct all questions regarding enrollment, availability, pricing or scheduling visits to ertvfgene@jlc.bet

SCHOLARSHIPS: For families that would like financial assistance, please send us an email with your request to ertvfgene@jlc.bet.

Register Now

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Preschool Square 2

Get Involved

Adventure, Learning, Play, Joy and time in Nature are waiting for you. Our professional mentors believe in helping kids play and grow while gaining new skills. Sign up for WYP and support your preschool age child in growing smarter, healthier and happier.

Register for Chickadees
Inquire about Woolly Bears