Registration for our Haadaa Héeni preschool program is now open!
Review registration details, plus location and session descriptions, below.
REGISTRATION PROCESS + GUIDELINES
Registration for all three seasons opens Wednesday, June 18 at 5:30 PM on our program page. **A handful of families who completed our 2024-2025 interest/waitlist form but were unable to participate this past year will receive priority access. These families will be contacted directly via email with a link to register a day earlier.
Due to increased demand, we kindly ask that each family register for only one season of Haadaa Héeni per child. If you’re interested in additional seasons, please join our waitlist (which will open alongside registration).
We proudly offer sliding-scale tuition — pay the amount that’s right for your family. You can pay less than the recommended tuition, all the way down to zero. You can also pay more. Suggested tuition varies per season, depending on the number of program days (approximately $35 per day).
After registering, you’ll be prompted to complete an online Participant Agreement for your child.
LOCATIONS
Discovery Southeast’s Property (fall + spring)
In fall and spring, the program takes place at Discovery Southeast’s private eight-acre property, located near the corner of Mendenhall Loop Rd and River Rd in the Valley. This rich forest landscape includes alder, cottonwood, spruce, and hemlock trees growing atop ancient glacial moraines. There are also kettle ponds, erratic boulders, blueberry patches, and winding trails.
Our daily rhythm is supported by the natural layout of the space. Children begin in a meadow, then explore favorite spots like “Mud Kitchen,” “Grandma Spruce,” “Story Hill,” and the “Forest Playground.”
Note: There is no toilet on site.
Auke Village Recreation Area (winter)
During the winter, the group gathers at Auke Village Recreation Area, a stunning coastal forest setting where towering hemlocks give way to spruce groves and a wide, rocky beach. This location offers multiple shelters with fire pits for warmth on chilly days, as well as a pit toilet for convenience.
Depending on the weather and group energy, we explore the forested hillsides, follow trails toward Point Louisa, or spend time on the beach engaging in hands-on discovery. With ample open space, there’s plenty of room for movement games, nature play, and group activities like tide pooling.
CATALOG (BY SEASON)
Each season brings its own delights, discoveries, and learning opportunities! Hover your cursor over each season to learn more.
Location: Discovery Southeast Property
Fall is a feast for the senses! Children gather the last of the berries to make jam, natural dyes, and vibrant art. Leaves become materials for boats, fairy houses, and nature sculptures. They observe seeds drifting in the wind and animals preparing for winter. This is also a season of water — rain-filled puddles and streams open up opportunities for imaginative engineering and sensory play. There’s plenty of mud too!
Considerations: Weather is often wet and chilly, requiring full rain gear. There is no toilet available.
Location: Auke Village Recreation Area
Winter transforms the outdoors into a wonderland for learning and exploration. Snow is perfect for tracking wildlife and building sculptures. Ice turns trails and creeks into places to slide and balance. The beach teems with life below the tide, while ravens and eagles soar above. Children enjoy exploring tide pools and crafting nature art with rocks, shells, and seaweed!
Considerations: Weather can be drier, but cold. Staying warm requires extra layers, especially mittens. Given it’s a public area, there’s a chance of encountering dogs.
Location: Discovery Southeast Property
Spring bursts with new growth and curiosity. The forest classroom awakens with blossoms, budding trees, and the rich scent of cottonwood buds — perfect for exploring with all the senses. Pollinators return, and the soil stirs with worms, spiders, and insects, offering opportunities to observe, play, and learn about the web of life. Children enjoy exploring around the pond and looking for aquatic insects.
Considerations: Weather can vary from wet and cold to warm and dry. There is no toilet available.