Logo for Tender Leaves Outdoor Preschool with mountains, trees, stars, and a leaf design.

Experience the Magic of Outdoor Learning in Kitsap County’s only fully licensed outdoor school.

Imagine your child exploring forest trails, splashing along the shoreline, and discovering new wonders each day. At Tender Leaves Outdoor Preschool in Poulsbo, WA, we blend the freedom of nature play with purposeful teaching to build the confidence and skills your little one needs for kindergarten and beyond.

  • We were recently featured in the Kitsap Daily News! Check it out HERE!

  • Tender Leaves Preschool is now fully DCYF licensed and accepting WCCC Subsidies. Starting in October, we will be extending our program to 6 hours a day! There are still a few spots left for the school year.

Updates and News

 

Salsbury Point Park

Let’s go on an adventure...to a land before time. This week, our students are exploring the shores and forests of Salsbury Point Park when they made a remarkable discovery: a nest of dinosaur eggs. While we may have planted the idea, where the story goes next is entirely up to them. Each day this week, children take turns building on the tale; adding characters, solving problems, and imagining what comes next. What begins as play quickly becomes something much deeper. Group storytelling supports: • Language development and expressive communication • Early literacy and narrative skills • Social-emotional learning through collaboration and turn-taking • Cognitive flexibility, memory, and sequencing • Creative thinking and problem solving • Physical development through movement-rich dramatization in nature ...and this is just one of the many activities we do daily at Tender Leaves Preschool. It’s not too late for your child to join the story. We still have a few spots available for Fall enrollment. What makes Tender Leaves different? • We’re fully licensed by DCYF and operate 100% outdoors during the school year with summer camp options • We offer full-day programming (6 hours/day), Monday through Friday (5,3,2 day options) • We blend child-led exploration with measurable learning outcomes • Our curriculum is aligned with WA Early Learning Guidelines and the Early Achievers Framework • We serve families from across Kitsap who want more time outdoors, more meaningful play, and more readiness for kindergarten Looking for financial assistance? You may qualify through Washington’s Working Connections Child Care program: https://dcyf.wa.gov/services/earlylearning-childcare/getting-help/wccc See you outside, explorers! Find out more at www.tenderleavespreschool.com #kitsap #poulsbo #naturebasedlearning #preschool #tenderleavespreschool #earlylearning #kingstonwa #kindergartenreadiness
!! Time to get ready for Fall !! We’re fast approaching the season when our kiddos suit up—not unlike Iron Man! Students will be pulling on their rain suits and boots, ready to explore, climb, dig, learn, and SPLASH, as the seasons chang
!! Time to get ready for Fall !! We’re fast approaching the season when our kiddos suit up—not unlike Iron Man! Students will be pulling on their rain suits and boots, ready to explore, climb, dig, learn, and SPLASH, as the seasons change. Big News: Starting this October, Tender Leaves will launch a 6-hour program—the first of its kind in Kitsap County! This extended day of nature-based learning gives children more time to immerse themselves in play, discovery, and connection outdoors. At Tender Leaves, we’re growing strong roots in the Kitsap community. Here’s what makes us stand out: - The only licensed outdoor program, ensuring we are meeting the rigorous standards of the state while allowing us to provide benefits for families that go beyond accountability, including subsidies, Early Achievers participation, grants, additional funding, and so much more! - Learning that balances unstructured play and measurable outcomes. - Whole-child learning that meets each student where they are and challenges them to grow. - Small ratios for deep relationships and individualized attention - Alignment with WA Early Learning Standards and social-emotional development pathways We’re proud to be building confident, curious learners who thrive in every season, planting strong roots for a stronger Kitsap. Learn more about enrollment and our unique approach: www.tenderleavespreschool.com
We pack a lot into a day! With a fine balance of intentional learning, student choice within a defined schedule—Students are planting strong roots in Kitsap! #kitsap #poulsbo #naturebasedlearning #earlylearning #preschool #kingstonwa #kindergartenreadiness #tenderleavespreschool
Let’s go on an adventure...to a land before time. This week, our students are exploring the shores and forests of Salsbury Point Park when they made a remarkable discovery: a nest of dinosaur eggs. While we may have planted the idea, where the
!! Time to get ready for Fall !! We’re fast approaching the season when our kiddos suit up—not unlike Iron Man! Students will be pulling on their rain suits and boots, ready to explore, climb, dig, learn, and SPLASH, as the seasons chang
We pack a lot into a day! With a fine balance of intentional learning, student choice within a defined schedule—Students are planting strong roots in Kitsap! #kitsap #poulsbo #naturebasedlearning #earlylearning #preschool #kingstonwa #kindergar

Introducing: Salsbury Point Park (Poulsbo, WA)

  • Reading in the Forest of Poulsbo.

    Story-time comes to life

  • Throwing stones

    Learning, with a view

  • Tender Leaves Preschooler Looking at a Maple Tree

    Wonder, around every corner

  • Preschoolers playing in the forest

    Imagination runs wild

  • Preschoolers on the beach

    Teaching can be spontaneous

“By nurturing tender leaves, we grow the roots of strong communities” ~Tender Leaves Preschool

At Tender Leaves Outdoor Preschool, we see childhood as a time of discovery, adventure, and limitless potential. Through student-led exploration and purposeful learning, we empower children to embrace challenges, think critically, and thrive in nature. Our balanced schedule blends structure with freedom, fostering confidence, independence, and a love of learning.

A preschooler at Tender Leaves look at flowers

Contact Us

Have questions? We’d love to connect! Reach out to Tender Leaves Outdoor Preschool to learn more about our programs and how we can help nurture your child’s love for learning and nature.

We are officially contracted with the Kitsap County Parks to operate our very first location at Salsbury Point Park! Please reach out with any and all questions.

Tender Leaves Preschool throwing rocks near the Hood Canal bridge in Poulsbo