When looking for a daycare center for my child, the most important thing I looked for was, “How can I spend the day like a child?” I thought it would be nice to have a place where I could move freely, touch things, and slowly learn about things I was curious about, rather than having to follow a lot of prescribed activities at a young age.
While comparing daycare centers around Gimpo-si and Gochon-eup, Gyeonggi-do, I came across Ahaeteul Forest Daycare Center . The description that it was a single-family building surrounded by nature with a yard, playground, and vegetable garden caught my eye, and after consulting on the actual space and operation method, I thought it would be a good fit for my child.
The first reason I was drawn to it was ‘encountering nature every day.’
When I think of nature-friendly programs, I sometimes think of taking a bus and going far away to experience things, but I liked the fact that the yard and vegetable garden at Ahaeteul Forest Daycare Center are located within the everyday space.
Nature is not just a special event for your child; it becomes a familiar environment that they encounter every day they go to school. I also liked the fact that on days when the weather allows, you can go outside and touch the dirt and sand, look at leaves and stones, and create your own play.
At first, there were days when dirt got on the clothes, but I felt that the marks were a sign that the child had played enough. When asked, “What did you do outside today?”, the number of days when people mentioned leaves, sand, and bugs, even in short words, increased.
The process of the garden was better than the photos.
What I particularly liked was the garden. It was not easy for a child to have the experience of planting seeds, watering them, and observing the small differences between yesterday and today, consistently at home.
I was impressed by the process of waiting even if the sprouts didn't sprout right away, being happy when the leaves grew, and looking at them carefully as if they had taken care of them when they were harvested. I can't exaggerate that I've suddenly become good at eating any kind of vegetable, but when I look at vegetables that I used to put aside with no interest, I wonder, "Can these grow in the field too?" As a parent, it was nice to see them ask that question.
Gardening activities were not a time to learn much, but a time to naturally accept the speed at which life grows. I got the feeling that my child's observation skills and curiosity were growing as he looked at the same garden every day and found something different from yesterday.
A place that waits for the child's interest rather than a set answer
Ahaeteul Forest Daycare Center places importance on play-centered and infant-centered childcare. Rather than constantly telling children what to do, the teacher looks at what the child is interested in and adds materials and environments to encourage that play.
My child needs some time to adjust to a new space, so I think he would have felt pressured if he had been in an atmosphere where he had to actively participate from the beginning. The educational philosophy of respecting and waiting for each person's own pace suited the child's temperament well.
The story about nature continued at home as well.
Before going to school, I tended to only ride the designated playground equipment repeatedly, but at some point, I started looking at the fruits and leaves on the ground first. The day after it rained, I wondered why the color of the soil had changed, and when I saw the small sprouts, I was careful not to step on them.
Rather than assuming it was a big change, I liked the fact that the experience at the daycare center naturally led to home and weekend outings.As a parent, when I go for a walk with my child, I tend to wait a while to see what my child discovers, rather than urging him to “let’s go quickly.”
To summarize the good points from a parent's perspective,
- There is a yard, vegetable garden, and playground, so outdoor play is close to daily life. Being able to play with materials
- The child chooses the play and the teacher observes and helps
- A childcare environment that considers both play and rest areas
- only Respecting the pace of development of infants from 1 to 3 years of age
Of course, choosing a daycare center must take into account realistic conditions such as the child's temperament, parents' working hours, school distance, and vehicle route. Just because a child likes natural activities does not necessarily mean that the same choice is the right answer for all children. Therefore, it is a good idea to visit in person to look at the space before moving in, and to discuss specific child care and daily routine.
Please consult with these families
- Families where children enjoy moving their bodies outside rather than indoors
- Families who want to experience nature and seasons on a daily basis
- Families who want child care that waits for their child's speed rather than quick results
- Families looking for a daycare center in the Gochon area of Gimpo for children from 1 to 3 years of age
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What do you experience in the garden?
A. On the official website, gardening and harvesting are listed as forest activities. Please confirm seasonal crops and specific schedules upon consultation.
Q. Do you play outside every day?
A. We advise you to spend time outside as much as the weather allows. It is best to check directly with the daycare center for operating standards on days with heat waves, cold waves, fine dust, or rain.
Location and Inquiry
- Name of organization: Ahaeteul Forest Daycare Center
- Address: 53 Singisindong-ro, Gochon-eup, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
- Phone: 031-986-8300
- Official website: Ahaeteul Forest Daycare Center
If you are a parent looking for a nature-friendly daycare center in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, rather than just looking at the name of the program, see if your child can actually touch the dirt, wait for changes in the garden, and play at their own pace. For our family, the garden at Ahaeteul Forest Daycare Center was a daily space that helped our child accept nature as a close friend.
Source: Ahaeteul Forest Daycare
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