2025-26 Forest Preschool
Description
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
A deep understanding of and connection to nature begins when we allow our environment to teach us. The 47-acre forest at the Rye Nature Center is so much more than a park. It is the place where we can allow the freedom of the outdoors to ignite our imaginations and intellects.
Preschoolers who are at least 3.5 years old by the start of the program (born prior to March 8, 2022) may enroll. Children will range in age from 3.5 through 5.5 in each class. All students must be toilet trained (no pull-ups). Children who attend in the morning may not attend in the afternoon.
Optional FRNC Staff Drop-Off/Pick-Up at Local Preschools: Children that attend Christ's Church Nursery School or Rye Presbyterian Nursery School may utilize our optional walking component. There is an additional fee of $800 for those who utilize this option and attend the five-day program.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration for the 2025-26 school year for our preschool programs is open! Registration fee is $25.
Please choose your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices for placement. We will follow up with you to confirm your enrollment and obtain paperwork. (A couple of sessions are full so definitely give us a 2nd and 3rd choice just in case!)
Please email admin@ryenaturecenter.org or call 914-967-5150 if you have any questions.
PROGRAM OFFERINGS
Morning Sessions (8:45 - 11:45)
5 Days (Mon to Fri)
2 Days (Tues/Thurs)
1 Day (Wed)
Afternoon Sessions (11:30 - 2:30)
5 Days (Mon to Fri)
3 Days (Mon/Wed/Fri)
2 Days (Tues/Thurs) FULL
2 Days (Wed/Fri)
1 Day (Tues) FULL
TUITION AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Please see the program offerings and fee schedule below. You may request in writing to cancel your child's registration, less the non-refundable deposit prior to June 1, 2025. Refunds and credits are not available after June 1, 2025. If full tuition is not received by June 30, 2025, we reserve the right to cancel your enrollment. Memberships and deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable. Payments made online are subject to a 2.2% processing fee. Upon registration you are responsible for completing all payments per the fee schedule. If you have any concerns, please contact us directly.
The payment schedule is as follows:
| Program |
Application Fee |
First Payment* |
Final Payment† |
Total Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5-DAY |
$25 | $6,300 + Membership |
$6,300 | $12,600 |
|
3-DAY |
$25 | $4,475 + Membership |
$4,475 | $8.950 |
| 2-DAY | $25 | $3,061 + Membership |
$3,061 | $6,122 |
| 1-DAY | $25 | $1,563 + Membership |
$1,562 | $3,125 |
* All enrollments include a non-refundable deposit. For the three- and five-day programs the non-refundable deposit is $1,500. For one- and two-day programs, the non-refundable deposit is 20% of the total tuition fees. Membership at the $125 level or above, valid one year from date of registration, is also due at this time. Memberships and deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
†An additional $800 is due if your child is attending the five-day program AND using the optional walking component.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Friends of Rye Nature Center offers need-based financial assistance for our programs through our Nature Access Fund. To request a scholarship application, contact Christine Siller, Executive Director, at christine@ryenaturecenter.org. To contribute to our Nature Access Fund, visit ryenaturecenter.org/nature-access-fund.
HOW TO APPLY
STEP ONE: Create an account. We recommend you do this before the day of registration using this link. If you have attended a program or supported FRNC in the past, it is likely we already have an account on file for you that you can look up using your email. If you are new to the Nature Center and our programs, you can create a new account.
STEP TWO: Apply online. Beginning at the indicated registration time, you can register online using the link on the Forest Preschool page of website or the quick links section in your system account.
STEP THREE: Pay through PayPal. Once you submit the online form, you will be redirected to PayPal to complete your payment. If you do not have a PayPal account you can still use the platform to pay with a debit or credit card. Your payment will be incomplete if you navigate away from PayPal before submission. We must receive the payment in order to process your application.
STEP FOUR: Await confirmation. FRNC will review submissions and place children according to their preferred sessions. We will confirm your child's placement within two weeks of application.