Is my child ready, and what happens next?
Readiness, enrollment, and our toileting plan.
For children 30 months to 6 years. Before enrolling, families fill out our readiness questionnaire and tour the classroom.
Safety
Comes when called, follows directions, and stays with the group.
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- Responds and comes when their name is called
- Follows verbal instructions
- Remembers and follows hazards and expectations
- Stays with the group
This matters most on hikes. A child who can't yet do these may not be admitted, or may be removed from the program, for their safety.
Toileting
In cloth underwear without daily accidents, and tells a teacher when they need to go.
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- In underwear and accident-free at home for 2 weeks before the first day
- Tells a teacher when they need to pee or poop
- Dresses and undresses with little help, including out of wet or soiled clothes
- Magnolia Explorers: willing to learn to use an outdoor bathroom in an emergency. Our paths always pass bathrooms.
Physical
Walks at least one mile at a child-friendly pace, and carries their own small backpack.
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- Keeps up on hikes of at least one mile, at a child-friendly pace, without distress
- Handles changing weather
- Carries a small backpack with their snack, water, and gear
- Willing to wear weather-appropriate clothing
How do I get on the waitlist?
It's free, and you can apply any time of year.
Siblings of current students come first. After that, an open spot goes to the next child who's ready.
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How spots are offered
- Enrollment is rolling. Whenever a spot opens, we offer it to a family whose child is ready to begin.
- Siblings of current Wind Rose students get priority.
- The waitlist isn't ranked by sign-up date.
- Spots aren't held for a baby on the way or an adoption in progress.
- Only a parent or legal guardian can apply.
Before you enroll
- Fill out the readiness questionnaire
- Tour the classroom
We admit all children regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, or physical differences.
Join the waitlist →When do spots open?
Most often in June, July, and August, as children leave for kindergarten.
For a September start, reach out in January.
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Hoping to start sooner? Join the waitlist and keep an eye on our Current Availability page.
Current availability →Can we do one program or both?
Either. Wind Rose Montessori is indoors and Magnolia Explorers is outdoors. Each is up to 3.5 hours.
Most families choose both.
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The two programs
- Wind Rose Montessori: our indoor Montessori classroom at 3514 W Government Way
- Magnolia Explorers: outdoor learning in Discovery Park and around Magnolia. For trips farther away, we walk or take the bus.
Hours
- Shire: Wind Rose Montessori 8:30–12:00, then Magnolia Explorers 12:00–3:30
- Rivendell: Magnolia Explorers 8:30–12:00, then Wind Rose Montessori 12:00–3:30
- Monday to Friday, except holidays, in-service days, and vacation closures
Doing both? Teachers walk the class from one program to the other at midday.
Shire or Rivendell?
Shire: indoors first, then outdoors. No nap.
Rivendell: outdoors first, then indoors with rest time. Nappers do best in Rivendell.
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Shire
- 8:30 indoor work cycle at school
- 11:30 lunch
- 12:00–3:30 outdoors
- 3:30 pickup at the park corner, 36th Ave W and Discovery Park Blvd
Rivendell
- 8:30 outdoors, starting at the Discovery Park Playground
- 12:00 lunch
- 12:30–3:30 indoor work cycle, with rest time for nappers
- 3:30 pickup at school
Both classes
- Mixed ages, 30 months to 6 years
- 1 teacher for every 7.5 children
- Children stay in the same class until they graduate
What do I need to turn in?
Your Child Care Agreement, enrollment forms, and Child Care Registration, all through Brightwheel.
Plus a care plan if your child has special health needs.
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Before the first day
- Child Care Agreement (sent through Brightwheel)
- Enrollment forms (sent through Brightwheel), including the Outdoor Preschool Risk Waiver
- Our signed toileting policy
- Child Care Registration (Brightwheel), with an emergency contact who isn't a parent
- A care plan for special health needs, if your child has one
- Allergy or food restriction documentation, if needed
After you enroll
Keep phone numbers and addresses up to date in Brightwheel.
Does Wind Rose work for severe allergies?
We're allergy-aware, not allergen-free. Teachers keep EpiPens with them and are trained to use them.
If avoiding an allergen completely matters most, a fully peanut-free program may be a better fit.
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Life-threatening allergies
We're allergy-aware, but we can't promise an allergen-free space. We don't control what families pack, and the park has nut trees and food left behind by visitors.
If your child has an EpiPen, a teacher keeps it with them throughout the day. All of our teachers are trained in First Aid and CPR, which includes using an EpiPen.
If avoiding an allergen completely matters most to your family, please think carefully about whether our program is the right fit. Some programs are fully peanut-free, and one of them may be a better match. We're always glad to talk it through with you.
Allergies and health plans →How do the first days go?
Keep goodbyes short and cheerful. Most tears pass within minutes.
Every child settles in on their own timeline.
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Before the first day
- Look through our Instagram together so your child can see what their future classmates do.
- At your one-on-one meet and greet, we'll talk about readiness and set goals for the first weeks.
- Let your child do as much of their own morning routine as they can.
- Talk about what school will be like, and keep it positive. Children pick up on our worries and look to us for confidence.
What if accidents keep happening?
Toilet independent means in cloth underwear without daily accidents. Every child gets 30 days to settle in. After that, here's exactly what happens.
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Toilet independent means your child can
- Notice they need to go
- Tell us
- Stay in clean underwear all day
- Use the toilet without help
- Manage their clothes
- Wash their hands
Why the line matters
Outdoors, an accident means cold, wet clothes, cleaning up in the woods, and a teacher stepping away from the group. A clear line keeps every child warm, clean, and well supervised.
Out of dry clothes?
Your child borrows a spare set from a classmate, and we'll send you a message. Please wash and return the borrowed clothes promptly, and restock your child's backpack that night.
Setbacks later in the year
A new baby, an illness, or a move can bring accidents back. Your child gets 2 weeks of grace, then we start at the reset (step 3). A child who has already had a break doesn't get a second one.
Disability or medical conditions
If a disability or medical condition affects your child's toileting, tell us. Before any break, we'll look at your child's situation individually and work out a plan together.
How we help
Some regression is normal in a new place. We use puppet shows, sing-alongs, art projects, role play, and peer partners, and we celebrate every success. We respect each child's body and process, and we want every child to stay with their friends and teachers.
Before you enroll
Please look honestly at your child's readiness. Starting before a child is toilet independent affects their comfort and success, and the whole class.