Saanich is pleased to offer two, 10-month programs for preschoolers. Learn more about the ECO Program and Kiddie Capers Forest Classroom below.

Educating Children Outside (ECO) Program

The ECO Program is a 10-month outdoor, nature-based education program for children ages 3 to 5 years old. It helps children experience and connect with the natural world around them while building social skills, resiliency, self-regulation, and well-developped physical abilities.

Rooted in emergent and play-based curriculum, participants are provided with opportunities to engage fully with their senses and surroundings, while allowing their curiosity and appetite for discovery to drive their learning.

Schedule

The ECO Program runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am to 12pm from September 8, 2025, through June 19, 2026, but it's never too late to join! We welcome preschoolers througout the year as space allows.

Location

The ECO Program takes place entirely outdoors at the beautiful Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, which offers a unique, living classroom.

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Rd

Cost

$300 per month.

Registration now open — join anytime!

 Children must be three years old by December 31, 2025 to enroll in this program.

For more information and to register, please contact Kathryn Allan, Preschool Programmer, by phone at 250-475-7113 or email at kathryn.allan@saanich.ca.

Are you planning ahead for September 2026-2027? Open houses will begin late January, and in-person registration will start early February 2026.

Program philosophy

Nature preschool movement

Inspired by European models like Sweden's "Skogsmulle" and Germany's Forest Kindergartens, our curriculum supports unstructured play and discovery learning.

Benefits of nature based program:

• Healthier bodies
• Promotes physical health through exercise and challenging terrains.
• Healthier minds
• Encourages socialization, problem-solving, and independent thought.
• Healthier environment
• Builds an understanding of ecological systems and environmental stewardship.
• Healthier future
• Equips children with life skills critical for personal and economic growth.

Learn more about nature-based preschool philosophy and its benefits through resources like the Natural Start Alliance and the Forest School Foundation.

Vision for learning

Like the weather on our beautiful Island, our program will frequently change, and the children's interests will take us in many unseen, unplanned yet fruitful and exciting directions. Underlying everything will be the safety, well-being, and interests of each child.

Every day: weather, surroundings, ourselves
Children develop an awareness of the weather and how it influences our program, the beauty of the surroundings, and their potential for play, as well as the responsibility involved when interacting with the natural environment.

Every week: relationships, trust, questions
Children build relationships with peers, adults, the broader community, and the environment, gaining trust and confidence in each other and the natural setting. Strategies are developed to enable problem-solving and always ask "how?"  "what?" "where?" "when," and of course, "why?"

Every month: skills, information, & communication 
Children repeat, practice, and master skills, finding ways to express, describe, and record information and experiences.

Every season: change, reflection, & prediction       
Children use all their senses to notice the changes that occur during the season, reflecting on what we have learned, seen, and experienced, and predicting what might happen in the following season.

The year in whole: Growth
Children develop awareness of their bodies, strengths, skills, knowledge, confidence, relationships, sense of responsibility, and gain love and respect for the wonders of nature.

Instructors

Kristine Heilman – Lead Educator
With over six years as an ECO educator and 20+ years in nature programming, Kristine enjoys transforming the outdoors into a dynamic classroom and fostering curiosity, resilience, and collaboration through hands-on exploration. With a master’s degree in Environmental Education, Kristine designs play-based lessons using things like puddles to teach hydrology, logs to reveal ecosystems, and forts to introduce engineering.

Ruk Johnson – Assistant Educator
Ruk brings a love for the outdoors and over five years of experience working with children, with a background in teaching rock climbing and swimming lessons. She believes in nurturing bravery, curiosity, and confidence in every child and helping them to move through the world with joy and resilience.

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Kiddie Capers Forest Classroom

Waitlist being accepted. 

Kiddie Capers Forest Classroom is a 10-month outdoor, play-based program for children ages 3 to 5, located in the Friendly Forest at Saanich Commonwealth Place. Led by Tammy Williams, who brings 15 years of preschool experience and 5 years of specialization in nature preschool, your child will thrive in our intentionally designed outdoor classroom, where nature becomes both teacher and playground.

Program details

This program prioritizes child-led activities where educators provide gentle guidance to foster social skills and independence. Each day begins with circle time, which features stories, songs, counting and letter work. Teacher-led activities focus on art, science, and games to develop fine and gross motor skills, complemented by field trips and nature walks to instill an appreciation for our environment. 

Schedule

The Kiddie Capers Forest Classroom runs from September 8, 2025 through June 19, 2026. Classes are held Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm.

A reduced hour option is available on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 11:30am.

Location

Saanich Commonwealth Place, 4636 Elk Lake Dr.

The Kiddie Capers Forest Classroom takes place entirely outdoors in the friendly forest.

Cost and registration

To enroll in this program, children must be three years old by October 31, 2025. The program is currently full for September 2025 to June 2026, but a waitlist is being accepted. Registration for Kiddie Capers is in-person only.

 Children must enroll for at least two days a week. 2025 Program fees are as follows:

• 2 days per week (9am to 1pm) - $244 per month
• 3 days per week (9am to 1pm) - $366 per month
• 4 days per week (9am to 1pm) - $488 per month
• 5 days per week (9am to 1pm) - $610 per month
• Reduced hour option: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am to 11:30am - $154 per month

For more information and to register, please contact Ruth Smith, Preschool Programmer, at 250-475-7603 or at ruth.smith@saanich.ca.

Are you planning ahead for September 2026-2027? Open houses will begin late January, and in-person registration will start early February 2026.

Program philosophy

This unique preschool program will teach your child to enjoy and be comfortable in all types of weather, while being creative, adventurous, and inquisitive in this natural outdoor classroom environment. We know that every child is a unique individual. Our approach to children focuses on understanding and nurturing each child and helping them to grow physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually. By providing a stimulating and respectful environment, children are encouraged to explore and discover the world around them. Through spontaneous play, children have the opportunity to extend and expand their skills, learn to trust themselves and others, experience positive feelings, and growth in self-esteem.

Our goals

• Foster independence by encouraging children to make choices and help themselves whenever possible.
• Promote cooperative social interaction by helping children to recognize, accept and deal with their feelings in a constructive way.
• Encourage creative expression through a child-oriented approach to programming.
• Help each child grow towards their potential by providing a well-rounded program that takes into consideration the individual needs of each child.
• Foster feelings of mutual respect and consideration by treating each child as we would like to be treated ourselves, and by helping children to recognize that everyone is unique and special.
• Share each child’s success in every accomplishment.

Location of the forest

This program meets at Saanich Commonwealth Place, outside, at the far end of the north parking lot. You will meet the instructors on the chip trail beside the parking lot in front of the entrance to the forest where they will greet and welcome you and your child.

Our forest classes will explore Saanich Commonwealth’s backyard grassy field, where children are often found exploring and observing insects, leaves, lizards, snakes, and flowers. Scavenger hunts and treasure hunts are always fun, along with a variety of active games! Around the corner, we occasionally adventure on walking trails to the cherished 27-acre green space formally known as Royal Oak Golf Course or to Normandy Park/playground. These locations are all within safe and easy reach during our class time.

Learning through play

Each class, we will have exciting activities planned around the weekly theme. Occasionally, we will adjust those plans as natural learning opportunities emerge and steer us in other directions. We take our cues from the season, weather and nature, as well as from the interests of each child.

Play centers encourage children to learn, share, use their imagination, be creative, explore and much more.

Science, painting, music, and games along with free play will be woven throughout each class, followed by structured learning activities such as calendar, weather, and counting.

Active play centers include:

• Mud kitchen - using nature, dirt, water, acorns, chestnuts, pinecones and more. A large variety of pots, dishes, utensils are used to measure, stir, mix, and pour. Then off to the stove/oven to cook and bake!
• Construction zone - includes trucks, cars, blocks, building, stacking, and creating!
• Sand/treasure center - buckets, shovels, colanders and more!
• Shelter building - working together to haul logs to create shelters into teepees or small shelter for dinos.
• Dramatic play center - changes from grocery store to post office, bakery, animal vet, etc.
• Puppet theatre/stage - a variety of spoon, cloth, and stick puppets and props as well as a stage to sing/dance.

Guidance policy

Guidance is a teaching and learning process by which children develop socially acceptable and appropriate behaviour as they mature. The intent of guidance is to help children become self-disciplined as they learn appropriate and acceptable behaviour. Guidance is a continuous process of guiding acceptable behaviour while it is occurring as well as before, during and after acceptable behaviour is displayed.

Our instructors encourage children to use words to express themselves. Redirection is used to diffuse conflict situations. Sometimes equipment may need to be limited for a time and other choices offered. Limits and expectations will be clearly voiced and repeated on a regular basis.

Occasionally, an instructor may need to step in to assist or remove a child when it is unsafe for themselves and others. For example, hitting other children, not listening, disrupting the class on a regular basis. The instructor will take them aside to a cool down spot, talk to the children involved and encourage them to talk to each other about their feelings, and about what the other child might be feeling. The parents will be informed at the end of the class if this occurred. If a child continues the behaviour and does not settle down and cooperate within the classroom, we will phone the child's guardians to inform them of the incident and ask that they pick up their child as soon as possible after the incident. Your child is welcome to return to their next scheduled class.

The purpose of the policy is to ensure the safety of all children. We encourage children to express their feelings and work together to help each other feel good.

What children will learn

Social skills
Able to interact with peers and teachers in a positive manner.

Oral/expressive language skills
Able to express their wants and needs, repeat rhymes, songs and stories, contribute ideas.

Physical skills
The child is able to play action games, do simple exercises, and participate in small and large motor activities.

Learning skills
The child is able to find solutions to problems, solve age-appropriate puzzles, and repeat age-appropriate sequences and patterns.

Emotional maturity independence, and self-motivation
Able to make choices, and be happily involved in the classroom.

Listening skills
Able to listen to stories, follow directions, and focus on activities

Self-help skills
Responsibility for their personal belongings and their personal needs. Cleans up after themself, dress themself.

Creative thinking skills
The child is able to think divergently (see more than one solution), share new ideas, and be inventive in their thinking process.

Positive self-esteem
The child is growing more confident in what they can do, developing friendships.

Creative music and movement experiences
The child is able to think of new ways to move, sing new words to songs, design and implement new ideas.

Instructors

Our instructors hold a valid First Aid certificate and have been trained to administer epi-pens in case of an emergency. Saanich has conducted Criminal Record Checks for all our staff. As part of their standard orientation, staff are trained in appropriate conduct with children, recognizing signs of abuse, and responding to disclosures.

Tammy Williams
Tammy has been teaching/instructing outdoor programs for the past 15 years with Saanich municipalities and recently ran the ECO Program for Preschoolers (Educating Children Outdoors) located at Swan Lake before joining the Kiddie Capers team last year. Tammy loves being outdoors and is looking forward to fostering a sense of wonder, curiosity, and imagination with your children.

Jo Van Dyk
Jo bring enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and energy to our Kiddie Capers program! She has taught at Saanich Commonwealth Place for 24 years. Jo truly loves her job both in the Friendly Forest and on Fridays, when she runs the Jumping Jellybeans adult and tot program indoors.

Tiffany Kidder
Tiffany is a mother of two school-age children and has been working with the Kiddie Capers program for two years. Tiffany also teaches the indoor preschool program Happy Hands as well as Kindergym. Tiffany loves getting to know all the children in her classes and brings great enthusiasm to her work.

Christine Lee
Christine is a mother of two school-age boys. She has her Early Childhood Education Assistant certification and has worked in both Korea and Canada. Christine has worked at Saanich Commonwealth Place for the past five years and this is her fourth year working with the Kiddie Capers program. She also teaches the indoor adult and tot and preschool programs, Stepping Up to Preschool and K-Tots.