Welcome to Greenwood Trail Forest School
Where Nature Nurtures Learning
WHO WE ARE
Greenwood Trail Forest School
An all-outdoor forest school for children ages 2–5 in Golden Gate Park.
We spend our day exploring, climbing, digging, and discovering the natural world through engaging projects and child-led learning.
In small groups, each child is supported to grow at their own pace, building confidence, independence, and a strong connection to the world around them.
Why Families Choose Us
We focus on what matters most to families: safety, caring teachers, meaningful learning, and time in nature. Everything we do is built around helping children grow with confidence and curiosity.
• Low teacher-to-child ratios for close attention
• CPR-certified staff and daily safety checks
Safety First
• Low teacher-to-child ratios for close attention
• CPR-certified staff and daily safety checks
CHILD-LED learning
• Learning through play, exploration, and curiosity
• Supports emotional, social, and cognitive growth
Qualified Teachers
• Warm experienced educators who truly care
• Focus on each child’s growth and individuality
The Gift of Nature
• Daily outdoor play and real-world experiences
• Builds confidence, creativity, and resilience
• Learning through play, exploration, and curiosity
• Supports emotional, social, and cognitive growth
• Daily outdoor play and real-world experiences
• Builds confidence, creativity, and resilience
• Warm experienced educators who truly care
• Focus on each child’s growth and individuality
CHILD-LED learning
Qualified Teachers
The Gift of Nature
Safety First
our philosophy
Children follow their curiosity, ask questions, and take ownership of their learning through exploration and choice.
Supported Risk
Children take on small challenges with guidance, building confidence, awareness, and trust in their own abilities
Children build a connection to the natural world through daily outdoor play, exploration, and discovery.
Child-led learning
Children follow their curiosity, ask questions, and take ownership of their learning through exploration and choice.
Connection to Nature
Children build a connection to the natural world through daily outdoor play, exploration, and discovery.
Children follow their curiosity, ask questions, and take ownership of their learning through exploration and choice.
Confidence & Resilience
confidence & resilience
Through new challenges and experiences, children build confidence, resilience, and the courage to keep trying
Holistic Growth
holistic growth
Through new challenges and experiences, children build confidence, resilience, and the courage to keep trying
connection to nature
Child-led learning
Children grow across social, emotional, physical, and cognitive areas through meaningful and engaging experiences
Children take on small challenges with guidance, building confidence, awareness, and trust in their own abilities
Children grow across social, emotional, physical, and cognitive areas through meaningful and engaging experiences
supported risk
Engaging Learning Experience
A rich curriculum with real preparation for kindergarten.
One platform for communication, progress, and billing
We value connection and transparency. With Brightwheel, families receive real-time updates, photos, and daily insights, including attendance and nap tracking.
ATTENDANCE
ATTENDANCE
DAILY PROGRESS & PHOTOS
COMMUNICATION
COMMUNICATION
Daily check-in/check-out is quick and secure using Brightwheel’s digital system.
Brightwheel tracks daily attendance and arrival/pick-up times.
Teachers and staff share updates, reminders, and announcements through the app, so you’re always in the loop.
BILLING & PAYMENTS
ENROLLMENT & FORMS
Parents receive updates, notes, and photos of their child’s activities — capturing learning moments, nature play, and special memories throughout the day.
DAILY PROGRESS & PHOTOS
SIGN-IN & SIGN-OUT
Tuition and fees are billed through Brightwheel. You can set up automatic payments or pay directly in the app.
Enrollment paperwork and required forms are completed and stored securely in Brightwheel.
BILLING & PAYMENTS
SIGN-IN & SIGN-OUT
ENROLLMENT & FORMS
Our Location
Based in Golden Gate Park, we rotate through different areas each week, giving children a variety of experiences while maintaining a sense of routine. Families receive the exact meeting location and weekly schedule in advance.
Maddy Sienicki
Director of Greenwood Trail school
Is a Certified Lead Teacher with specialized Forest School Training. She holds a B.A. in Environmental Sustainability and brings years of experience in early childhood education, both in traditional classrooms and outdoor programs. Her work has shown how nature-based learning strengthens confidence, resilience, and problem-solving, shaping her commitment to creating nurturing spaces where children can grow through exploration.
