wBees Forest School was founded by Lanny Cheuck, an educator and staff developer with many years experience working in NYC and in San Francisco. When looking for preschool programs for her first-born daughter, Lanny noticed that it was nearly impossible to find high quality programs that provided a half-day model. Nearly all the schools in the neighborhood required full-day and full-week commitments so Lanny decided to help create a "school" that would be both affordable and play-based and a soft introduction to school.
wBees Forest School has roots in its infancy as "Summerino Play Cooperative" (SPC) formed 3 years ago. Lanny, alongside 2 other fellow mothers, decided to create a preschool experience for their two year olds and their friends. The affordable play-based cooperative with the model of parents acting as rotating teacher assistants resonated with many families looking to really participate in their child's first experience with "school." SPC grew to 24 families and spanned over 4 classrooms in Greenpoint and Williamsburg.
Since SPC, wBees Forest School has evolved into extending beyond the classroom walls. We saw how children respond to being outdoor immersed in nature. We took our principles of cultivating inquiry through play and exploration to outdoor classrooms such as local community gardens in both Williamsburg and Greenpoint. We traveled to local parks in North Brooklyn and beyond to revel and play in green spaces.
This summer, we opened our doors to our new home at 3 Russell Street just two blocks south of McGolrick Park. We run programs in the morning for our Seedlings (2's group) and Sprouts (3's group) and we also run a pick-up after-school program from PS 110, 31, and 34.
We are excited to share our vision and love for outdoor learning with your budding naturalists!
Please see a video of a "Day in the Life of a wBees" for a small window into what wBees Forest School is about!
wBees Forest School has roots in its infancy as "Summerino Play Cooperative" (SPC) formed 3 years ago. Lanny, alongside 2 other fellow mothers, decided to create a preschool experience for their two year olds and their friends. The affordable play-based cooperative with the model of parents acting as rotating teacher assistants resonated with many families looking to really participate in their child's first experience with "school." SPC grew to 24 families and spanned over 4 classrooms in Greenpoint and Williamsburg.
Since SPC, wBees Forest School has evolved into extending beyond the classroom walls. We saw how children respond to being outdoor immersed in nature. We took our principles of cultivating inquiry through play and exploration to outdoor classrooms such as local community gardens in both Williamsburg and Greenpoint. We traveled to local parks in North Brooklyn and beyond to revel and play in green spaces.
This summer, we opened our doors to our new home at 3 Russell Street just two blocks south of McGolrick Park. We run programs in the morning for our Seedlings (2's group) and Sprouts (3's group) and we also run a pick-up after-school program from PS 110, 31, and 34.
We are excited to share our vision and love for outdoor learning with your budding naturalists!
Please see a video of a "Day in the Life of a wBees" for a small window into what wBees Forest School is about!
