BIG FINN HILL PARK

BIG FINN HILL PARK

A PARTNERSHIP WITH king county parks

Our Big Finn Hill location offers towering trees and extensive hiking trails. Students love the great climbing area, and often enjoy eagle sightings. Although the classroom is secluded, it is just a short walk from the parking area at the Kirkland Lacrosse Center. The nearby children’s playground (built in 2016) provides a great place to play or visit with other students and families before or after class!

Several principles that guide our work include building a sense of curiosity and wonder, cultivating civic engagement and stewardship, and using natural materials. We are immersed in the changes from season to season. In the fall, students count colorful tree leaves. In the winter, students stay warm through active games and adventures exploring the incredible park features. Nature activates students’ curiosity and imagination, and our educators structure healthy risk-taking and risky play opportunities using the natural materials and spaces in the park. During spring, students notice and learn about new plants in their classroom and during their hikes.

At Tiny Trees, we use a Place-Based Learning (PBL) approach to developing curriculum. Through observation and activities, students develop a knowledge and appreciation of the plants and animals in our shared spaces. Our teachers work to scaffold students’ understanding of stewardship, connection to place and human impact on nature. We develop opportunities for students to learn about our surrounding neighborhoods and communities, and to build community connections and partnerships. 

Our outdoor classroom provides numerous learning opportunities and ample materials to inspire imagination and curiosity. Students learn how to harvest herbs and make tea, see frogs in the stream, and enjoy special park features like the extensive trails and lush forest areas. Students conduct their own experiments, hear and share stories, play with quantities and numbers, and engage with symbols, letters and ideas. Using the evidence-based HighScope curriculum as our framework, our teachers construct their daily plans by focusing on activities that strengthen students’ skills and lessons that align with students’ interests. To learn more about our programming, curriculum and tools that support our work, please visit our About Page.

2022-23 school year information:

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An 8 minute drive from WA-522 and 10 from I-405, Tiny Trees at Big Finn Hill Park is most accessible for families in the Kirkland, North Bellevue, Lake Forest Park, Woodinville & Bothell area. Classroom is a 10 minute walk from Henry David Thoreau elementary school.

This Tiny Trees Preschool is a partnership with King County Parks.

A big thank you to all of the King County staff & community allies who have made this school possible.