Beaver Brook’s Forest Preschool is a drop-off, preschool-aged program, for 3 to 5-year-olds. This unique program offers children a non-traditional learning experience that takes place primarily outdoors! We have options for 2, 3 or 5 day programs.

Nature is a wonderful classroom – always providing something new to learn from. The change of the season and the interests of the children shape our learning. Students will experience a curriculum that supports their emotional and physical development as well as their physical and social resilience. 

At Beaver Brook, we know that choosing the right preschool is a big decision. We’ve assembled everything you need to feel confident about your child’s experience in our Forest Preschool. From what to pack, to what to expect, these resources provide an in-depth look at our philosophy, daily rhythm, and how we support your child’s growth—rain or shine.

Explore our Forest Preschool materials:

• 📘 Parent Handbook 2025–2026 (PDF). A comprehensive guide to our program’s policies, daily schedule, curriculum, and more.

• ❓ Frequently Asked Questions (PDF). Answers to common parent questions about age requirements, potty training, class size, and more.

• 🎒 Gear List (PDF). What your child will need to stay warm, dry, and happy throughout the seasons.

• 📅 Preschool Calendar 2025–2026 (PDF). Important dates including start/end of school, holidays, and seasonal breaks.

Scholarships are available for individuals of any age. To apply please complete the Scholarship Application.

Virginia Commisso 
Virginia retired from teaching in Brookline, NH after a 19-year tenure. She has a combined 40 years of experience working with children in Massachusetts, New York and New Hampshire. Virginia holds a BA in Early Childhood Education, has completed graduate-level courses in Reading Instruction and Curriculum. Virginia is a certified teacher of Mindfulness and Yoga for children and teens. Virginia strives to provide experiences that allow children to feel respected, be actively engaged, and have fun. It is her goal to foster a lasting love of learning, connectedness, awareness, and self-love in children. 

Angela Craggy 
Angela has been involved in BBA for over 20 years. She has a BS in Education and has 40 plus years teaching experience with preschool to elementary age children, recently retiring from Brookline, NH schools after 16 years. Angela enjoys sharing her love of nature with others and encouraging children to explore their outdoor environment, thus tapping into their natural curiosity. She takes time to “play” in her garden, go biking, and camping. Angela is looking forward to another year filled with adventures and exploring! 

Tracy Jones 
Tracy Jones grew up on a woodsy hillside in northern Connecticut where she built forts, hiked in the forest, and snuck berries from her mother’s raspberry patch. She enjoys adventures large and small, from bicycling across the country (twice!) to taking micro-hikes in her backyard. Some of her favorite things at Beaver Brook are lichen, wildflowers, and maple syrup! She graduated from Amherst College with a major in Fine Arts and recently received her MEd in Nature-Based Early Childhood Ed from Antioch University. 

Amanda Cabrera 
Amanda grew up traveling back and forth between Connecticut and Florida where she enjoyed building backyard snow mazes (in CT) and sandcastles at the beach (in FL). She has now settled in Brookline, NH with her husband, two teenagers, dog and two cats. When she’s not exploring the trails of Beaver Brook, she can typically be found hiking up in the White Mountains, training for her next ultra-marathon or growing all kinds of flowers and vegetables in her garden. She is so excited to share her love of the outdoors with her students this year! 

Mary Bassett 
Mary holds a BA in Linguistics as well as a Masters in Elementary Education. She previously worked as a teacher of English as a Second Language for children in grades K-8 in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She enjoys going for walks outdoors, gardening with native plants, and crafts like knitting and sewing. At Beaver Brook, she hopes to foster in children a lasting connection to nature through outdoor play and observation of the wonders of the natural world. 

Kelly Walker 
Kelly is a native of New Hampshire who grew up in Nashua and now lives in Hollis. She discovered Beaver Brook 21 years ago and has been connected to it ever since hiking every trail, taking a wide variety of classes, and volunteering whenever she could. This year, she celebrates her 10th anniversary working in the Beaver Brook office, where she currently serves as Office Assistant and Summer Camp Coordinator. With a BS in Accounting and graduate courses in Early Childhood Education, Kelly is excited to follow her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher. When she’s not at Beaver Brook, you’ll likely find her out walking, hiking, cooking something delicious, practicing yoga, or enjoying a good book.  She can’t wait to help young children discover the magic of nature and grow their appreciation for the world around them. 

Ali Farquhar, Homestead Manager & Resident Educator 
Ali Farquhar grew up catching garter snakes and rolling over logs at Beaver Brook camps. She later volunteered and eventually found her place on staff as a teacher and naturalist. She has a degree in ecology from College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME, and her background is in creating and caring for natural history collections. Ali lives at the Beaver Brook Homestead and with her partner, three springy rabbits, and many happy chickens.