OUR STORY
The Fraser Valley's First Forest School
Langley Forest School (LFS) started in 1985 as a parent participation preschool based in Fort Langley, BC. In 2014, the preschool transitioned to forest pedagogy and LFS moved 100% outside. In 2015 LFS made basecamp in Williams Park (North Langley) and in 2020, we added a second location at the Municipal Natural Park (South Langley).
Today, Langley Forest School is a non-profit charity, managed by a Board of Directors, many of whom are our parents, running a Forest Canada pedagogy. Our fully licensed early childcare educators (ECEs) and Outdoor Experience Days leaders (OED Leaders) run an outdoor curriculum that is play-based, place-based, offers supported risky play and is child emergent.
Our school serves as an extension of the home, developing and nurturing values that will prepare children for life - socially, physically, emotionally and intellectually. We believe that not only do children learn best in a play-based environment, but that intensive connection to the outdoors can only serve to enhance their learning.
Our forest school programme serves to reconnect children with our ever-changing environment while creating a base of knowledge surrounding the importance of community and sustainability and environmental stewardship. The first of its kind in the Fraser Valley, our school meets a child's need for self-esteem, leadership skills and kindergarten readiness, in addition to meeting a community need for alternative school options.