Fledglings is a fully outdoor, morning drop-off nature learning enrichment program for potty-trained children ages 3–6. Enrollment is flexible, and families can register up to one hour before the day’s class.

When: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays from 9:30-1pm (3.5hrs)

Location: Bay Vista Park, St. Petersburg, FL - 7000 4th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (this is a fully outdoor program)

Bay Vista Park is a scenic gem in St. Pete, offering shaded, green spaces covered in oak trees, waterfront views, bay and shoreline access for shallow water play, and abundant trees that create opportunities for sensory exploration and nature observation. There is also a playground (and bathrooms) on-site, making it perfect for a mix of nature immersion and playground fun!

About the Fledglings Program

Guided by forest school principles of child-led, hands-on learning, Ms. Lauren and parent volunteers observe children’s interests and let nature inspire hands-on exploration. Thoughtful invitations—like the mud kitchen, sensory-rich activities, process art, and practical life experiences—draw from Lauren’s Montessori background and forest school training and encourage curiosity, creativity, and growth across all areas of development. While every week, we explore a nature topic, the morning is filled with opportunities for curiosity to be our compass as we explore the natural world.

Social-emotional learning is integrated naturally into the daily rhythm and explored through stories as a group, offering children the opportunity to develop self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and positive relationships with others in a supportive and engaging environment.

Research in forest school settings shows that regular outdoor nature play builds physical health and coordination, encourages curiosity and early scientific thinking, strengthens social-emotional skills, develops emotional resilience and self-regulation, fosters a connection to one’s community, and nurtures creativity and problem-solving.

Before enrolling, you’re welcome to review the Fledglings Family Guidebook for detailed program information.

Sample Daily Rhythm: while the day flexes with the group’s interests, it follows a consistent routine to provide children with structure and predictability. 

• 9:30am: Drop-off & free explore invitations at the shelter classroom site

• 10am: Gathering circle – good morning song, story time & snack

• 10:10am–12:00pm: Open-ended learning invitations in our oak tree space and exploration time at the Boca Ciega Bay shoreline

• 12-12:15pm: Lunch & story time

• 12:15pm-12:55pm: Playground time (the playground offers extra opportunities for physical development, social-emotional learning, and regulation, such as swinging, the monkey bars, etc.) 

• 12:55pm-1pm: Wrap-up, goodbye song, and pick up