Forest Preschool Program Details
Key Dates for Closures, Orientations and Festivals
All Open Houses and Orientations will be held at the Lime Hollow Education Campus at 3277 Gracie Rd. Cortland, NY 13045.
Open Houses
Thinking about sending your child to our forest preschool? Come join us and tour our facility. Learn what Lime Hollow has to offer.
Please us at info@limehollow.org to schedule a time and date.
2023-2024 School Year | September 11, 2023 -May 31, 2024
Closures | Festivals | Orientations
Saturday, August 19, 2023, Parent Orientation for School Year 2023-2024, (9:00am-11:00am)
Monday, September 11, 2023, FIRST DAY OF 2023-2024 SCHOOLYEAR SESSION!
Monday, October 9, 2023 (No Students- Staff Development Day)
Friday, November 10, 2023 (No Students- Staff Development Day)
Wednesday, November 22, 2023 ( No Students/ Staff - Holiday Break)
Thursday, November 23, 2023 (No Students/ Staff- Holiday Break)
Friday, November 24, 2023 ( No Students/ Staff- Holiday Break)
Solstice Celebration , Thursday, December 21, 2023, (4:00pm-7:00pm)
Friday, December 22, 2023 (No Students- Staff Development Day)
Monday, December 25-29, 2023 ( No Students/Staff- Holiday Break)
Monday, January 1, 2024 ( No Students/Staff -Holiday Break)
Monday, January 15, 2024(No Students- Staff Development Day)
Friday, February, 16, 2024 (No Students Staff Development Day)
Monday-Friday, February, 19-23 2024 ( No Students/Staff -Mid Winter Holiday Break)
Spring Equinox Festival, Wednesday, March 20, 2024 (Time TBD)
Friday March 29, 2024 (No Students Staff Development Day)
Friday, April 19, 2024 (No Students- Staff Development Day)
Monday-Friday, April 22-26, 2024 (No Students- Staff Development Day)
Friday, May 24, 2024 (No Students- Staff Development Day)
Monday, May 27, 2024 ( No Students/Staff -Holiday Break)
Friday, May 31,2024, LAST DAY OF 2023-2024 SCHOOLYEAR SESSION
Bridge Ceremony, Saturday June 1, 2024 (Time TBD)
2024 SUMMER SESSION | June 17, 2024-August 23, 2024
Closures | Festivals | Orientations
Thursday, June 13, 2024, Parent Orientation for Summer Session 2024 | 6:00PM-7:30PM
Wednesday, June, 19, 2024, (No Students/Staff Holiday Break)
Thursday, June, 20, 2024 Summer Solstice Festival | 4-6PM
Thursday, July 4, 2024, (No Students/Staff Holiday Break)
Thursday, August 22, 2024 Last Day Celebration (Tuesday/Thursday Children)
Friday, August 23, 2024 Last Day Celebration (Mon./Wed/Fri Children)
Welcome Forest Families
Lime Hollow Forest Preschool is Cortland County’s only outdoor school. Choosing outdoor schooling as an alternative to traditional school speaks to your commitment to nurturing your child’s relationship to the natural environment. Forest Schooling is also a developmentally healthy choice for the young child and prepares them well for lifelong learning. We hope you find a community you will enjoy in the parents and children you will meet here.
Lime Hollow Forest Preschool Philosophy
Forest Preschool is guided by the idea that children are naturally drawn to nature, need nature to thrive, and learn with enthusiasm and a sense of wonder when they spend ample time in natural spaces. The forest and fields offer an ideal setting for children to learn about themselves, each other, and their place in the natural world.
Our program is modeled on the German style Waldkindergarten in which children spend their entire school day outside in rain, shine, or snow, coming inside only in extreme weather. Playing and learning outside in all types of weather allows children to develop self-care skills, confidence, and resilience. Open-ended, unstructured play and discovery in a natural environment supports the development of the whole child and inspires spontaneous, meaningful learning. We empower children to be active in their own learning process by encouraging and supporting each child’s innate curiosity and paying careful attention to personal interest in the context of what nature presents us each day. We use Reggio Emilia Approach documentation to be sure our educational environment is aligned with the NYS Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards.
Mission
Lime Hollow Forest Preschool’s mission is to foster a deep connection to nature in young children by providing rich experiences and unstructured time in nature. Our teachers support children’s learning in nature by facilitating emergent (child-led) curriculum, modeling respect for the creatures we encounter and each other, choosing peacemaking, and expressing gratitude. We are committed to creating an environment that fosters a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity, and a sense of belonging for the families in our community.
Curriculum
We trust that the individual child can best determine their educational needs in the moment. By respecting the individual learner, and responding to their inquiry with leading questions, a child can build on the knowledge they already have. By providing a happy, joyful, and playful experience, our students learn that the forest is a happy place. By living daily, seasonally, and yearly in the forest, our students learn that it is a place they belong to. By using their natural curiosity, having their questions carefully considered, our students learn to be lifelong learners. By running, jumping, climbing, wrecking, building, splashing, balancing, digging, and swinging our students learn to enjoy their physical fitness. By modeling peacemaking and respect, our students learn to be peacemakers and respectful. By practicing gratitude, we all become grateful for the gifts of our natural world and the love all around us.
We believe that making these connections is the first step toward learning about the natural world and becoming a steward of the environment. As all of this is happening, children will be using all of their senses while strengthening their physical bodies.
In order to capture your child’s learning we utilize an online program called Storypark. Each week families will gain insights into their child’s learning through photos, videos, and text from the teachers themselves. The program helps the teachers document what standards the child is meeting and allows parents to be more involved in their child’s learning. We invite you to take advantage of this amazing resource!
Children will be engaged in:
Authentic learning while engaged in place-based activities
Life skills such as self-care, self-advocacy, practical skills (cooking, gathering) and social skills (conflict resolution, emotional regulation)
Becoming good risk assessors by balancing, tree climbing, and other physical play
Using natural materials for art and construction
Emergent (child-led) curriculum
Children will learn to:
Notice if something is hurting a friend’s feelings or body
Respect others’ space and listen to their words
Think ahead (such as when planning to climb)
Assess their own abilities
Begin to take part in responsibility for their own safety
Express feelings with words, in a safe and effective way
Tuition Cancellation Policy
Program fees allow Lime Hollow to offer innovative programs while providing sustainable employment for our instructors, mentors, buildings and grounds and administrative staff. Hiring, staffing, training, and materials acquisition are based on enrollment prior to the program, which is why we charge a registration fee and/or need to retain portions of anticipated tuition to help offset costs incurred prior to the start of programming.
Please review the cancellation policy for your program at www.limehollow.org/cancellation-policy
Tuition Assistance
Lime Hollow has a contract with the local Department of Social Services. This contract includes Cortland and Tompkins.
For more information for Cortland County visit: https://www.cortland-co.org/678/Child-Care-Assistance-Program
For more information for Tompkins County: To be screened and request an application, contact our Low Income Child Care Unit at (607) 274-5219.
Staffing and Supervision
Our teachers are committed to creating a safe and nurturing learning environment. We keep a ratio of one teacher per six students in the 3-5 year-old class. Children will be with the group and supervised at all times, inside and outside. The supervising adults will be Lime Hollow Preschool teachers and staff. Volunteers and interns are required to pass a background check, and do not count in the ratio as teaching staff. Lime Hollow will have fully stocked first aid kits and other emergency supplies, both in the inside classroom and with the preschool staff when outside. All Preschool teachers and staff will stay current with First Aid and CPR training and certification.
Typical Schedule
Each day is structured with a familiar pattern to support children as they engage with the natural world and one another.
New in Summer 2023 | No EARLY CARE
7:30-8:00AM: Staff arrive
8:00AM-9:00AM: Normal arrival, drop off at Logjam Play Area or Hammock Hollow
9:30 AM: Morning circle
9:45 AM: Bathroom stop, hike out into the forest
11:45 AM: Half-day students hike back to Logjam Play Area
12:00 PM: Morning session ends for half day, pick-up at Logjam Play Area
12:30 PM: Lunch for full day kids
1:00 PM: Quiet time, resting and story time
1:30-3:30 PM: Hike, forest play or craft
3:30 PM: Gratitude circle, hike back to Windswept Logjam Play Area or Hammock Hollow
4:00 PM: Normal departure. Parents will pick up preschoolers at the Windswept Logjam Play Area or Hammock Hollow
4:15-5:30 PM: After care available for families that need it for additional cost. Children will participate in quiet time activities located in the Sun Room or at the Windswept Logjam Play Area
5:30 PM: After care ends
If you are running late, please call 607-662-4632.
Nap/Quiet Time
At Lime Hollow, children do not have to close their eyes or sleep if they are not tired or choose not to, however children are encouraged to rest their bodies quietly. Children will be given this opportunity every day, even on days that the group is on a field trip within our trails without the use of electronic monitors. Children will be continuously and directly supervised by teachers during nap time until they wake naturally. Children will have access to rest in hammocks or cots. Napping locations can vary daily between our education building, outdoor covered areas, and even out on our trails while on a field trip.
Adjustment to Forest Preschool
Starting preschool is a big step for most kids. Some children are excited to participate and they easily acclimate to class. Other children are nervous at first but quickly ‘warm up’ as they get engaged in activities. Still others may have a longer adjustment period as they gradually become comfortable with a new environment and expectations. Occasionally a child who is eager at first may have difficulty later when they realize the change is permanent. This adjustment is not necessarily related to a child’s maturity level; every child handles new situations in his or her own way. We acknowledge these differences and provide support and encouragement to help each child adjust to our program. As a parent/guardian, you have unique insight as to how your child reacts to new settings. There are many ways to prepare your child for class, such as talking about it a few weeks before school starts. As your child asks questions, answer them honestly. “You’re going to explore outside, meet animals and new friends, sing, make art projects and learn lots of new things. It will be a fun adventure!” You may want to set up a visit to Lime Hollow with your child to get familiar with the trails. When you drop off, assure your child that you will be excited to hear all about the day when it is time to be picked up. You might even give your child a challenge: “While you are in class today, pick something special to tell me about — I can’t wait to hear about your day!” We find that establishing a routine for drop-off and sticking to it helps make drop-off feel predictable and safe for a child. If your child is experiencing a very difficult transition, please share your concerns with the teacher so that they can help provide a happy, smooth transition.
What to Bring to Preschool
Backpacks, Clothing & Footwear
This is an outdoor-based program. It is imperative that your child is dressed in proper clothing to ensure that she/he is protected from the elements. We will spend our entire time outside, rain or shine, except in the case of extreme cold, extreme heat or lightning. Our indoor classrooms are located inside the Education Center, and will be used for our activities in such cases.
If your child is comfortable, she/he will be happy and able to participate in the fun! We believe there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.
Please dress your child in appropriate clothing for being outdoors in the weather. Flip-flops, Crocs, and ballet flats are not appropriate footwear for Forest Preschool. Children must wear socks with their shoes. Your child will get muddy and dirty while at Forest Preschool. Your child will need to bring rain gear when it is rainy or has been raining, and a hat and mittens when the months grow cold. We are always available to help with gear questions.
The following list of clothing is required (please let us know if you need a lender):
Rain pants
Rain jacket with a hood (or with a rain hat)
Long underwear bottoms and tops (wool, wool/silk or synthetic, never cotton)
Wool sweater or fleece top
Snow pants
Winter jacket
Socks (wool or wool/silk blend)
Rain boots and Bogs, Dri-Shod or Muck style boots
Hat (wool or fleece) plus neckie, or a balaclava, please no scarves
Mittens (water proof shell plus wool mittens work well) 2 pair
What to Wear Early Fall/Late Spring
Check the weather forecast for the day and dress accordingly. We prefer long pants to protect from scrapes and bug bites. Waterproof pants are useful over a lighter pair, as we are often in wet environs. We like layers on top that can be shed or added as needed. Wool or silk blend socks are preferred over cotton. These paired with rain boot work well. On the hottest days, water shoes without socks are fine. A waterproof rain jacket should be sent in the backpack, it makes a good windbreaker. A sun hat is a good idea.
What to Wear Winter/Early Spring
Base layer: Silk/wool, polyester, or wool long underwear, wool socks.
Bulk layer: Wool or fleece pants and shirt.
Waterproof Layer: Either waterproof pants/jacket, or winter jacket/snow pants.
Waterproof mittens
Bogs, Dri-Shod or Muck boots
Hat/neckie combo or balaclava
LAYERING is the key, as your child will be very active outdoors and, at times, sitting. Whatever a child is not wearing, will be stored in her/his backpack. Long underwear (i.e.; poly-propylene or capilene, wool, or silk/wool blends) is essential as it wicks moisture off of the body. Merino wool under layers are soft, not scratchy and most kids accept them. Hats are required in cold weather. We suggest getting a pair of boots that is one size larger than your child’s foot. This will create “dead-air space” to assist in insulating the foot. The best insulation for the feet is one or two pairs of wool socks with water-proof boots that have wiggle room.
To ensure a positive experience for everyone involved, all children are required to wear the proper clothing. If you need help with some of the above items, please ask. We have extras or can help you locate others.
Finding Good Gear
Finding good gear takes some care, but it is critical to your child’s enjoyment of nature. LL Bean carries a good set of rain gear, as does Polarn O. Pyret and Grundens. Make sure it really is waterproof by looking at the seams (they should be sealed). These brands also have good winter coats. Columbia carries an excellent winter jacket. Gordini mittens are unstoppable. Polarn O. Pyret sells a rain mitten which when paired with a woolen mitten is perfect for our climate. We recommend utilizing thrift shops such as Thrifty Shopper, Salvation Army, Mama Goose (Ithaca), Jillian’s Drawers (Ithaca) and also Craigslist and Poshmark. Joining an email listserve for homeschoolers can yield good gear (as well as educational books and toys. We encourage fellow Forest Preschool families to sell or swap your outgrown gear with each other, or donate it to us so we can outfit a new family who might be having trouble acquiring gear. If you are having trouble finding or affording the gear your child needs, we have lending item(s). Please don’t hesitate to ask!
What Goes in the Child’s Backpack
Children carry their own backpacks at Lime Hollow Forest Preschool. It is important that they have a pack that is the right size and is very comfortable. It can take some effort to find a good backpack. The chest strap keeps the backpack from sliding off your child’s shoulders.
Your child’s food and water bottle go in the backpack. Take care to find a small water bottle. An adult sized water bottle is too heavy. In the early Fall and late Spring, the backpack might contain a wool sweater or fleece.
What Extra Clothes to Leave With Us
Even on dry days, we might end up wet or muddy during play. It is important to have a change of clothes available. On the first day of program please send a full set of clothes (including underclothes, and especially socks) packed in a bag, labeled with your child’s name. Please, no thin grocery bags. Please write your child’s name in everything you send. Throughout the year (and sometimes daily) you will need to replenish the extra clothes as they get sent home muddy. Please always send your child to Forest Preschool in clothing and footwear that can get dirty. As the seasons change, you will need to send different items for the extra clothes bag.
Snacks and Lunch
We burn a lot of calories hiking, climbing, running and splashing. The children carry their own backpacks and choose a place of their own to store them. They have access to them at any time during the program day, and frequently take time out to snack. If your child is a ‘grazer’, but has a hard time settling down to eat a meal, pack lots of high quality snacks, or pack a sandwich, a few snacks a drink and a water bottle. Choose a small reusable canteen. Many manufacturers are making small child sized reusable water bottles that will last many years. All packaging will be carried home for recycling. Some years, depending on our needs, Lime Hollow Forest Preschool is a peanut free school, or excludes a specific food item due to children with anaphylaxis allergies. TBD in September.
Proper Clothing Policy
Lime Hollow reserves the right to ask a parent to bring their child back home if they are not properly dressed.
Hazards
At Lime Hollow, the safety and security of our campers, preschoolers and guests is at the top of our priority list. Given the location of our campus and the programming that Lime Hollow provides, there are potential hazards associated with attending our Forest Preschool. Our staff is responsible for identifying these risks and doing everything possible to mitigate exposure to potential hazards. Please read this information carefully.
Ticks
Of course, a school with a focus on nature is going to spend time in wild, natural areas! Ticks transmit various disease-causing agents from animals to humans. Ticks are found at Lime Hollow. Forest Preschool. Teachers will conduct multiple tick checks throughout the day.
All embedded ticks will be removed by Lime Hollow personnel during the day and parents will be notified.
Adopting a routine of tick awareness, being smartly dressed, using repellent and doing complete tick checks on a regular basis is our best defense against tick borne illnesses. At Lime Hollow, we have a three-tiered tick defense system.
Tier 1: The Preschooler. At preschool, our teachers educate our preschoolers about ticks. We even teach them about “social grooming” and checking themselves and their buddy.
Ter 2: The Teacher. Our teachers are trained and knowledgeable about identifying and removing embedded ticks. Teachers will conduct multiple tick checks throughout the day.
Tier 3: Parents and Guardians. Because there are areas that our teachers cannot see, it’s imperative that parents and/or guardians perform additional tick checks at home.
Before Going Outside:
Wear light colored clothing to spot ticks easily.
Wear enclosed shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants.
Check clothes, gear and any exposed skin frequently for ticks.
The CDC recommends repellent that contains 20 percent or more DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 on exposed skin for protection that lasts several hours and using products that contain permethrin on clothing. Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. It remains protective through several
Many Forest Preschool parents use essential oil blends and other natural insect repellants.
After Going Outside:
Check your clothing, gear, and pets for ticks. Ticks can ride into the home on clothing and pets, then attach to a person later, so carefully examine pets, coats, shoes, and day packs. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks effectively.
Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and is a good opportunity to do a tick check.
Tick Check. Conduct a full-body tick check upon return from potentially tick infested areas. This includes your back yard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Done properly, we believe that a thorough tick check after going outside is the most effective technique to protect our preschoolers from tick borne illnesses. We encourage all families that spend a great time in their backyards, walking in the woods, and playing outside, to adopt an every 12 hour tick check protocol. During tick checks, pay particular attention to these areas:
Under the arms
In and around the ears
Inside the belly button
Back of the knee
In and around hair
Between the legs
Around the waist
How to remove a tick.
Ticks can attach to any part of the human body but are often found in hard-to-see areas such as the groin, armpits, and scalp. In most cases, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted.
If you find a tick attached to your skin, there’s no need to panic. Several tick removal devices are available on the market, but a plain set of fine-tipped tweezers will remove a tick effectively.
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible.
Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth-parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth-parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal.
After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water.
Dispose of a live tick by submersing it in alcohol, placing it in a sealed bag/container, wrapping it tightly in tape, or flushing it down the toilet. Never crush a tick with your fingers. Concerned parents who may want to have the tick tested for Lyme disease can refer to the Cornell Animal Diagnostic Center for more information at: https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/programs/tick/
Lime Hollow teacher will notify parents/guardians at pick up if an embedded tick has been removed during the day.
Parents should consult with their health care professional if your preschooler develops any of these symptoms: fever, chills, headaches, restless sleep, muscle and joint aches, swollen lymph nodes, or a “bulls-eye” rash which occurs in approximately 70 to 80 percent of infected persons. The rash begins at the site of a tick bite after a delay of 3 to 30 days (average is about 7 days).
For more information please go to the following web sites
Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/lyme/index.html
NYS Department of Health: www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/lyme/
SUN SAFETY
Extended exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun can cause painful sunburn and over a long period of time can lead to skin cancer. The CDC recommends that individuals spending long periods of time outdoors wear a “broad spectrum” sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher.
Please make sure your child wears sunscreen to Forest Preschool every day, even on cloudy days they are exposed to UV.
Teachers will make sure sunscreen is re-applied as needed throughout the day.
Other precautions to prevent over exposure include wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and long pants and sleeves.
SOILS
Preschoolers at Lime Hollow spend their days in and around nature. This involves getting dirty. Preschoolers will be in areas where wildlife and domestic animals have been and have the potential to come in contact with fecal matter. Camp Gustafson on Gracie Road is the former site of a lumber mill where wood treated by the CCA (copper-chromium-arsenate) process was prepared and stored. Camp Gustafson was cleared of debris and the soil on site has been tested.
As a precaution to minimize any chance of harm from incidental soil contact it is suggested that preschoolers will wash their hands before eating. Ingestion is the primary pathway for anything in the soil to enter the body. If your child has a condition where they are prone to such activities (such as Pica) please let the staff know. Wash thoroughly at the end of each day. This can be combined with a careful tick-check.
HYDRATION
Proper hydration is important for everyone to prevent dehydration and heat related illnesses. Those who are active in the outdoors should drink frequently.
Please make sure that your preschooler has a refillable water bottle with them every day.
If your child complains of headaches and/or has dark colored urine they may not be drinking enough throughout the day.
ALLERGIES
Allergic reactions can range from mild and uncomfortable to severe and potentially life threatening. f your child carries an epi-pen please notify the staff and we will prepare a health plan.
HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS
The health and safety of our participants, staff, and their families are of the utmost importance to us. We are constantly reviewing our health and safety protocols to address situation which are pertinent in our area. Please visit https://www.limehollow.org/health-policy for the latest information regarding communicable diseases including COVID19 protocols.
POLICIES
Walking Field Trips
Lime Hollow preschoolers will take daily walking field trips into the 451-acre Lime Hollow Nature Center grounds for the purpose of nature study and nature play as well as for other curriculum and development related activities. Lime Hollow Forest Preschool will not take field trips off the grounds of Lime Hollow during the school day. Parents give their permission for these walking field trips via the enrollment information form at the time of enrollment.
Hunting on Property Policy
Lime Hollow Nature Center is involved with an archery-based deer management program from October 1- March 31.
All hunters will follow all Lime Hollow Nature Center rules and regulations, and to conduct themselves in a safe and ethical manner. Certification to hunt on Lime Hollow Property consists of a written test, an archery proficiency test and an interview by the Lime Hollow Associate Director. Hunters will be selected based on a variety of criteria including (but not limited to): past hunting success, safety record, archer proficiency, willingness to abide by program rules, understanding of deer management for biodiversity conservation, and communication skills.
The hunter’s location and times will be tracked on a Google calendar, and monitored by the Lime Hollow Staff at the Visitor Center. Forest Preschool staff will be updated daily on where the hunters will be and from what time. To further help ensure the safety of our preschoolers, children will be required to wear blaze orange bandanas while hiking the trails.
Behavior Policy
When a negative behavior occurs in the preschool, staff will seek to resolve it directly with the child, in the moment. For persistent issues, it is important that parents and teachers work together so the child can have happy and healthy relationships at school. Lime Hollow Forest Preschool teachers will open a dialog with parents to work together on cultivating positive behavior. Every effort will be made to work with children and parents to provide a pathway to success. If a determination is made that we cannot provide the support a child needs, or a child’s behavior endangers others, a child may be excluded from the program.
Potty Training
We understand that this process is different for all children. We will make potty runs (bringing groups inside to use toilet) and assist your child with gentle reminders and routines. When students are in the forest and far from indoor toilets, they will be guided to outdoor bathrooms and/or taught Leave No Trace bathrooming principles.
Accidents happen: If your child does have an accident, we will utilize your child’s extra clothes and help them change.
Medication Administration
All medications, sunscreen and bug spray should be administered by a parent. If your child needs access to emergency medications (Epi-pen, anti-histamine, asthma inhaler) please make a health plan with the preschool director, Maryfaith Decker (maryfaith@limehollow.org)
Immunization Policy
Children must have a current physical (within the last calendar year) and a record of required immunizations before he/she can attend preschool.
Weather Closures
Lime Hollow Forest School is the only outdoor school in Cortland County, and we draw families from many surrounding areas. We use the Cortland School District’s weather-related closings as our guide to unsafe weather for travel to Lime Hollow. If local area public schools have canceled for the day, we will follow their lead and do the same. We will notify you by email and Storypark App.
Wind Chill Index Policy
Lime Hollow Forest Preschool uses the NOAA windspeed/air temperature chart to guide our time outside during winter, and protect against cold weather injuries.
Emergency Plan Policy
Every room in the Education Center Building has a primary and secondary egress. Group Leaders and Assistant Teachers know these routes. For example, the primary egress from the Sun Room classroom is out the main door, through the vestibule, and out the front door of the building. In the event of an emergency, students will proceed to the Old Sawmill Pavilion. If this egress is unsafe, our secondary route is out the back classroom door, through the middle classroom, out the back classroom door, and out the back building door. Proceed to the Old Sawmill Pavilion via the backyard of the building. The safe evacuation of children is Lime Hollow’s first priority. Children will never be left unsupervised.
When assembled in the Old Sawmill Pavilion, students will sit while the Forest Preschool Director and Group Leaders do a face to name roll call head count to verify attendance. Parents are notified with a phone call or text.
If the Old Sawmill Pavilion is not a safe option, then we will proceed to our secondary relocation which is our Visitor Center located at 338 McLean Road. At this location, students will sit while the Forest Preschool Director and Group Leaders do a face to name roll call to verify attendance. Parents are then notified.
We do not reenter the Education Center building until clearance is given by the Fire Department. No one may remain inside the building during an evacuation.
If parents can’t get to the children at the normal pick up time, our teachers will remain with the children and play quiet activities to help entertain the children and distract them from getting nervous about their parents being late. Children will be encouraged to participate in story time, journaling or a small craft project. Lime Hollow also has extra food on site if we need to feed our preschoolers.
Fire Drills & Shelter in Place Drills
Fire drills are executed and documented a minimum of one time each month. The Forest Preschool Director and Education Director conduct fire drills, with Group Leaders directing children. The entire group must be in the safety zone within 2 ½ minutes. If the drill lasted more than 2 ½ minutes, a drill should be repeated within that month.
Non-Discrimination Policy
The Lime Hollow Nature Center Forest Preschool does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected under federal or state law.
Confidentiality
Lime Hollow Forest Preschool respects the privacy of every child and family and holds confidential all records regarding your child’s personal information. All records will be kept secure in the child’s file in the office. Only the school directors and lead staff have access to these records. Lime Hollow Forest Preschool will always seek your permission to share information with other professionals.
Facilities
Lime Hollow encompasses more than 451 acres of beautiful rolling hills and shallow glacial valleys (kame-and-kettle topography), forests, fields, streams, numerous ponds, including many marl ponds and vernal (seasonal) pools, a peat bog, and a great diversity of flora and fauna. Located on the border between Cortland and Tompkins Counties, in beautiful upstate New York, we offer over 12 miles of open-to-the-public, entrance-fee free trails, public nature programs, and adventure day camps for youth.
Community Value
The Lime Hollow Nature Center is a valuable resource to the central New York Community. From summer camps and school programs, to our guided nature hikes and primitive skill workshops and miles of trails to discover, Lime Hollow Nature Center has much to offer to anyone who wants to learn about and enjoy the natural world. We hold many public events throughout the year, some at little or no cost. Please consider becoming a member of Lime Hollow Nature Center and enjoy the benefits of discounts on special programs and camps. For membership information contact: info@limehollow.org. Also consider “friending” us on Facebook to receive regular postings and stay informed of what’s happening at Lime Hollow! Thank you for becoming part of the Forest Preschool community at Lime Hollow Nature Center.