North Central Co-op
The North Central Co-op in Winnetka, IL offers the Oak Leaf Forest School, a mixed-age drop-off program for 3-6 year olds run by an experienced educator with help from parents! This program is located at Crow Island Woods in Winnetka.
Forest School
Registration is open through the Winnetka Park District! ​
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The North Central Co-op's Oak Leaf Forest School is a mixed-age, play-based drop-off program run by parents and an experienced early childhood educator.
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Classes take place entirely outdoors, in all seasons, at Crow Island Woods, a 17-acre Winnetka Park District nature area in Winnetka, IL. In the event of severe weather, classes will be held at Winnetka Presbyterian Church. This co-op is led by experienced Waldorf teacher Elizabeth Kelly.
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The program is designed for 3-6 year olds. Please contact Ms. Kelly to discuss readiness for younger children (2.5-2.9 years old)
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Registration ( please note: for a monthly tuition payment plan, please enroll in-person at the Park District office located at 540 Hibbard Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093.)
Nature Playgroup
Venture outdoors for informal, mixed-age nature play dates led by a parent volunteer. Children and caregivers will hike local nature trails, climb logs, observe the season change, and explore wherever our interests take us.
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These will be outdoor play dates in the traditional sense: unstructured social experiences for children and a chance for like-minded families to connect!
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The playgroup is free but advanced registration is required to join. You may participate in some or all of the get-togethers and can propose additional times and locations to the group. At least one caregiver must attend per family. To join, please register below.
Age Range: All ages are welcome!
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Dates/Time: Tuesday mornings starting January 23, 2024
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Location: River Trails Nature Center in Northbrook
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Co-op Leadership
Elizabeth Kelly, Chair/Teacher, Oak Leaf Forest School
Elizabeth Kelly has been working with children and families for more than 25 years. She grew up in Ann Arbor, MI playing in the woods and doing lots of theater, and has a bachelor's degree in theater from the University of Michigan. She lived for many years in Chicago, doing theater and raising a family.
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Her own three children brought her to Waldorf education and were Waldorf educated from early childhood through high school. She holds a Waldorf teaching certificate from Arcturus, and is certified in early childhood care and teaching by Lifeways. She has taught parent-child classes, special subjects (including music), early childhood (including mixed-age kindergarten classes), and before- and aftercare.
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In her spare time, she enjoys spinning, knitting, sewing, and toymaking; reading and learning about history, culture, and human development (including some graduate-level course work in pre- and perinatal psychology;) making and listening to music; hiking and camping; and doing puppetry, storytelling, and theater.
