Haadaa Héeni Preschool Program: Registration Info for 2026-2027

Haadaa Héeni (Lingít for “water all around us”) encourages wonder in the natural world and invites children to explore the forest using all their senses. Following a Forest Kindergarten model, we spend all our time outside playing, learning, and discovering together.

Each day offers new delights as the seasons change. Our daily routine includes a welcome song, a short walk, pretend play, snack and forest tea, story time, open exploration or a themed activity, and a walk back to meet families. Children leave each day eager to share something new with their loved ones.

Children must be between 3-5 years old, potty trained, and willing to separate from their parent/guardian at drop-off. Participants must be the requisite age (at least 3 years old) by the time the season starts. 

Haadaa Héeni meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM during the school year, with a few exceptions for holidays.

Each session includes 18 program days.

2026–2027 Sessions

• Fall I: August 11–September 29 (Sandy Beach on South Douglas)
• Fall II: October 1–November 24 (Haadaa Héeni Children’s Forest in the Valley)
• Winter: January 19–March 18 (Auke Village Recreation Area)
• Spring: March 30–May 27 (Auke Village Recreation Area)

Registration for both fall sessions opens Monday, July 6 at 5:30 PM on our program page. Registration for winter and spring seasons will open in October. 

Due to increased demand, we kindly ask that families register each child for only one session of Haadaa Héeni during the school year. If you’re interested in additional seasons, please join our waitlist, which will open at the same time as registration.

We’re also exploring the possibility of offering an additional spring session at the Haadaa Héeni Children’s Forest off Mendenhall Loop Rd. If you would like to see this option become available, please indicate your interest on the waitlist form.

After registering, you will be prompted to complete an online Participant Agreement for your child. Registration is not complete until this form has been submitted. 

We proudly offer sliding-scale tuition for all programs, so you can choose the tuition amount that works best for your family.

Families may pay less than, equal to, or more than the recommended tuition.

The recommended tuition for Haadaa Héeni is $630 per child, per session.

We primarily rely on tuition revenue to support our programs, so we encourage families to pay the suggested tuition when they are in a position to do so. At the same time, we are committed to ensuring that cost is never a barrier. Families are always welcome to choose a lower amount when that’s more appropriate for them.

Families paying less than half of the recommended tuition are asked to complete the Youth Scholarship Program application and apply awarded funds toward program tuition.

Sandy Beach (Savikko Park) (Fall I) – NEW LOCATION

In early fall, the program takes place at Sandy Beach (Savikko Park) on South Douglas, where forested trails meet a broad sandy shoreline. This location offers multiple shelters and restrooms for convenience.

Depending on the weather and group energy, we explore the wandering trails along the hillside 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 creative exploration. The sand is ideal for building, digging, and collaborative projects. Sandy Beach is also a wonderful place for wildlife observation.

Note: This is a public area where dogs may be present.

Haadaa Héeni Children’s Forest (Fall II)

In late fall, 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 + Spring)

During winter and spring, 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.

Note: This is a public area where dogs may be present.

Each season brings its own delights, discoveries, and learning opportunities! Hover your cursor over each season to learn more.