JEFFERSON PARK

Jefferson Park

A partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation

Our Jefferson Park location offers magnificent views of the Seattle skyline and the Olympic Mountains. Although the classroom is secluded in a cedar grove, it is close to a nearby parking area for drop-off and pick-up, and near many special natural and urban park features. Our students enjoy visiting the expansive fields (perfect for kite flying!), rolling down the big hills, climbing trees in the pine grove, and exploring the rain gardens. The nearby children’s playground 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 and collect fallen tree branches to build forts to play in. In the winter, students stay warm through active games and adventures exploring the incredible park features, including great climbing trees! 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 the spring, students learn about (and taste!) items from the nearby Beacon Food Forest. 

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. For example, we are grateful for our relationship with the nearby Beacon Food Forest and WildFlowers Preschool partnership.

Our outdoor classroom provides numerous learning opportunities and ample materials to inspire imagination and curiosity. Students learn how to harvest herbs and make tea, and visit special park features. 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:

This is a Seattle Preschool Program – Pathways location. SPP – Pathways offers free tuition (for 5-day enrollment) for eligible 3 and 4 year old students living within Seattle City limits and whose families are within 350% of the Federal Poverty Line. More information is available online at Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning. If you believe that you are eligible for an SPP-Pathway spot, please reach out to admissions@tinytrees.org.

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Your child’s outdoor classroom is a 2 minute walk from the parking area and secluded from the main park and other users. A fresh and healthy snack is included in the program & a new nature inspired children’s playground is located near the community center for your use before and after class. The classroom includes a private portable bathroom & hand washing station and easy access to the public picnic shelter in case of inclement weather.

A 5 minute drive from I-5 & I-90, Tiny Trees at Jefferson Park is most accessible for families in the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, International District, Central District, Columbia City, Mt. Baker, Georgetown, Capitol Hill, First Hill, & Leschi.

For your convenience as an adult this classroom is a 15 minute walk from the Beacon Hill Light Rail station.

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

This Tiny Trees Preschool is a partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation.