Prince George, BC
NOW
OPEN
Mousewood Forest & Nature Early Learning and Family Centre's first program is now licensed and open!
If you are interested in Mousewood for your child or as a career please watch our Info Session Orientation below.
When you have watched our Info Session, and you would like to come for a Meet and Greet Tour, please join our waitlist and we will contact you.
On This Page
Nonprofits survive
because of volunteers.
Boots in the Woods,
Hands in the Garden
Volunteer Drop-in
Video 1
Huge THANK YOU to all who came to support us!
Watch these videos to see our forest classroom and yard-in-progress.
Then join us on
Saturday, June 7th
10:00- 12:00
for a community
Help-Out, Dig-In Drop-in.
Whether you can
garden, rake, build with pallets, gather cones, paint stones, carry logs, bring advice and ideas, or just come see what we're all about — you're invited.
Let’s build something beautiful, together.
Rain or Shine!
Wear sturdy shoes!
Video 2
Mousewood Forest and Nature Early Learning and Family Society
Who We Are
Mousewood was incorporated as a nonprofit society in August of 2020. Our society represents a group of passionate volunteers and Board of Directors inspired by the vision to create a new childcare community which is much more than a forest and nature childcare centre.
Mousewood's Purpose
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Introduce Children to Nature: Inspire a lifelong connection and sense of wonder with the natural world by providing children with immersive, hands-on experiences in forests, gardens, and natural settings.
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Deliver High-Quality Care and Education: Provide high quality, play-based, leading-edge programs for children aged 1–12 years inspired by Canadian forest and nature school ideals, and based on the latest research and evidence-based practice.
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Cultivate Inclusivity: Promote an attitude of acceptance of all people. Create accessible spaces, forest classrooms, and gardens that support children, families, and staff in the Mousewood community.
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Strengthen Families: Practice a family-centred approach within Mousewood. Provide the community with weekend programs and special events that promote family bonding, physical and mental health, and connection with nature, land and place.
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Celebrate First Nations Traditions: Honour reconciliation. Seek perspectives and collaborative partnerships. Integrate First People’s Principles of Learning and Indigenous values and beliefs of caring for children based on unique worldviews, distinct languages, cultures, traditions, and practices.
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Support Professional Development: Prioritise critical reflection, collaborative dialogues, and pedagogical narration. Maintain highly qualified staff through continuous education. Train new forest and nature school practitioners.
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Advocate for Children, Families, and Staff: Champion the rights and diversity of the Mousewood community. Ensure all children receive the support they need, even when challenges arise in recognising or addressing those needs.
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Lead in Environmental Sustainability: Set an example in environmental stewardship and sustainable practices.
Our Progress Story
**** JUNE 12th UPDATE****
We got our licence today!
We can't wait to meet you!
A message from Heidi Reeves
ECE, President, Executive Director
As an educator since the 1990s, I’ve witnessed many trends in childcare. However, when forest and nature schools began gaining traction in Canada, I immediately recognized their importance. In today’s world, children need nature more than ever—it’s essential for their growth and well-being.
The idea for Mousewood Forest and Nature Early Learning and Family Society took root in November 2019 during a school assignment for a Special Needs and Infant Toddler course at CNC. I envisioned a high-quality childcare centre on acres of natural land, featuring forest and nature programs, a therapy farm, and wrap-around services for families from all walks of life. This centre would blend the eco-literacy and sustainability of forest and nature schools with the practical learning of Montessori and the magical wonder of Waldorf education. More importantly, it would be a truly inclusive space where children of all abilities wouldn’t just attend but thrive—a centre where connection, belonging, and meaningful impact came to life.
By April 2020, after a course in Early Education Administration and Leadership, I couldn’t shake the vision. I want Prince George children and families to have this beautiful place that can serve them for decades. I reflected on a relevant exercise I’d done years earlier: imagining the best life possible and realizing the only thing holding me back was myself. I applied that philosophy to Mousewood. Determined, I began working on the project, fueled by the BC government’s New Spaces
Fund, which offered over one million dollars in major capital funding for nonprofit childcare centres.
In August 2020, Mousewood was officially incorporated and registered as a society. I hosted a community Zoom meeting, hoping to form a board and rally volunteers. Despite my efforts, no one joined, and I missed the November funding deadline.
In 2021, the government shifted its funding focus to public institutions and school districts, making nonprofits like Mousewood ineligible for support. Reluctantly, I put the project on hold but never let go of the dream. I continued searching for a suitable location, knowing that one day the right opportunity would come.
By 2024, the government reinstated funding for nonprofits, albeit with stricter criteria and reduced amounts. Mousewood qualified for $50,000 in minor capital funding, requiring a five-year commitment. Over the summer, I felt increasing urgency to move forward. With more childcare centres opening in Prince George, the risk of market saturation grew. In November 2024, I found a potential location that reignited my drive.
After discussions with the board and an agreement to lease the property, we committed to opening Mousewood in Spring 2025. The timeline is tight, but the need is clear—Prince George families deserved this centre. Unfortunately, BC government funding was once again on hold due to the October 2024 election and pending revisions to funding criteria. On April 1st, 2025, the BC government announced that they will not be funding any new daycares this year. Unfortunately, we had to secure a loan and we must fundraise as much as possible to bring Mousewood to life.
The journey isn’t easy. We are encountering setbacks with zoning, licensing, funding, and recruiting volunteers. From learning how to create business plans, financial sheets, to dealing with rezoning, applying for loans and grants, fundraising and so much more, my learning curve has been steep.
Opening and running a multi program forest and nature childcare centre is vastly different from opening and running a traditional one. But as a nonprofit society, our determination remains steadfast. We are on a tight schedule, and we are giving everything we have to create Mousewood.
The families and children of Prince George need this. It WILL get done.
What are Forest & Nature Schools?
The ethos of Forest and Nature Schools (FNS) is that being connected to nature is healthy and important for humans, especially children. Through child-led and teacher-supported nature play, children can develop skills such as creative and critical thinking skills, risk assessment, self-confidence, self-regulation, cooperation and collaboration, plus physical skills like balance and coordination.
Learn More about Forest and Nature Schools:
Even though Indigenous Peoples of Canada have used similar methods with young children for eons, FNS as we know them began in Scandinavia over 60 years ago. After 1995, they became very popular in the United Kingdom. The first Forest and Nature Schools in BC began in 2011.
It's Prince George's time.
What You Can Do
Volunteer
We need volunteers and board members. Whether you can help with advising, yardwork, snow plowing, bookkeeping, sending pre-written fundraising letters, or helping on the board... once, occasionally or regularly, any help you can give, we will gladly welcome you.
Please enquire.
Donate
The government has stopped funding new daycares. Please help.
Individuals:
Please visit our GoFundMe page to donate whatever you can. We are very appreciative of anything you can give.
Companies:
Thank you for your interest! Please contact us for a sponsorship packet.
Childcare
Waitlist
Working Toward Licensing. Timeline not guaranteed:
June: 8 spaces for 1-5 year olds.
Anticipated Fall/Winter:
8 toddler childcare spaces.
8-12 preschool spaces.
16 Homeschool spaces.
Hopeful Spring 2026:
8-10 3-5 year old spaces.
8-10 schoolage spaces.
Please fill out our waitlist form.
Careers
We are seeking
an ECE and an ITE for Spring/Summer 2025.
Please send your resume and a cover letter stating why you would like to work in a forest and nature program to
Traditional Land Acknowledgement
Mousewood Forest and Nature Early Learning and Family Society respectfully acknowledges that we live, work, and play on the unceded ancestral lands of the Lheidli T’enneh. The word “Lheidli” means “where the two rivers flow together,” and “T’enneh” means “the People.”
We honour the stewardship of the Lheidli T’enneh over these lands since time immemorial and are committed to fostering respect, inclusion, and collaboration in all that we do. At Mousewood, we strive to create safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces that reflect the values of respect for the land, its history, and its people.
"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together"