FRIDAY FARM SCHOOL
$65/Day
Come join us at The Barnyard Classroom, where learning is rooted in wonder, rhythm, and real work. Our full-day programs offer children a rich tapestry of experiences—from hands-on academics and imaginative play to purposeful farm chores and nature-based projects. With small class sizes (one teacher for every ten children) and flexible enrollment options (from single weeks to all Fridays each month), every child receives the space and attention needed to grow in body, heart, and mind.​
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A special part of our program is the living work of entrepreneurship woven throughout the year. Children help tend the gardens, gather eggs, and create handmade goods to offer at our farm stand and at Strouds Farm Store located in Whitby. They participate in every step—planning, harvesting, creating signs, and even learning to count change and calculate profit margins. These authentic experiences build confidence, responsibility, and a deep appreciation for meaningful work.
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If you’re curious about our approach, we invite you to explore our Daily Rhythm below to see how a day at The Barnyard Classroom unfolds—rooted in nature, enriched by community, and guided by the unfolding spirit of the child.
OUR DAILY RHYTHM
At The Barnyard Classroom, our year flows gently with the heartbeat of the seasons. Our curriculum reflects seasonal changes, we listen closely to the whispers of the earth and allow nature herself to guide our learning journey. Each season brings its own gifts—planting seeds in the soft rains of spring, gathering the harvests of fall, watching the quiet life of winter’s wildlife, and basking in the long, luminous days of summer.
Our lessons are woven into the cycles of the land and the rhythms of farm life. Children move alongside the changing landscape, discovering the deep connections between soil, seed, animal, and human. They come to understand, in body and spirit, the sacred dance of life that unfolds around them.
By attuning to nature’s rhythms, we open space for wonder, inquiry, and a heartfelt appreciation for the beauty and wisdom found in each season’s turning.
Schedule
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Morning Arrival
Our mornings begin with a gentle arrival, allowing children to transition from home to the rhythm of the farm. Between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m., families are welcomed with warmth and familiarity—time for greetings, hanging up belongings, and saying goodbyes at a comfortable pace. Children are invited to explore the outdoor space, and engage in outdoor play as the group gathers.
9:30 AM
Morning Circle
(Outdoor Gathering)
We begin our day outside, greeting one another and welcoming the morning with a grounding activity. This may include a nature observation, a song, a short story, or mindful breathing to connect with the world around us. We set intentions for the day and discuss what’s happening on the farm.
9:45 AM
Nature Exploration &
Outdoor Learning
Guided by the season, children engage in hands-on learning inspired by the natural world. This could be tracking wildlife, foraging, exploring plant life cycles, or engaging in sensory activities connected to nature.
10:00 AM
Snack & Washroom Break
We pause for a nourishing snack and a moment of rest. Children wash their hands, enjoy a snack from home, and share quiet conversation together. This unhurried time allows for connection and renewal—bodies are refueled, and spirits are refreshed for the next part of the day’s work.
10:30 AM
Chicken Care
Children take part in the daily care of our chickens, learning responsibility and respect for the animals that help sustain the farm. Tasks may include collecting freshly laid eggs, offering feed and clean water, and gently raking fresh bedding in the coop. Through these mindful routines, children observe the rhythms of the flock and come to understand how their care helps keep the chickens healthy and happy. This nurturing work builds confidence, empathy, and a deep appreciation for the cycle of giving and receiving within farm life.
11:00 AM
Farm Chores
By late morning, the children turn their attention to the garden. We gather our tools and move into purposeful work: watering plants, loosening soil, harvesting vegetables, or collecting seeds for next season.
11:00 AM
Lunch
(Picnic Style, Weather Permitting)
11:30 AM
Literature & Creative Arts Circle
12:00 PM
Story-Inspired Crafting
We gather together for a nourishing meal, fostering community and conversation.
After lunch, children relax with a nature-based story, poetry reading, or gentle meditation, creating a peaceful transition to the afternoon.
Following our literature circle, the children bring the circle to life through handwork and art. Each craft is thoughtfully chosen to deepen their connection to literature—perhaps weaving a nest after reading about forest birds, shaping beeswax figures from a folk tale, or painting scenes inspired by the changing seasons. These activities allow the children to move from imagination into creation, transforming what they’ve heard into something they can touch and see. Through this gentle rhythm of story and craft, the children strengthen comprehension, fine motor skills, and their capacity for creative expression—all while experiencing the joy of meaningful, beauty-filled work.
12:30 PM
Goat Cuddles & Gentle Animal Visits
The children are invited into the pasture to greet our friendly goats, brushing their coats, offering hay, or simply sitting quietly together. In these peaceful moments, the children learn to move slowly and speak softly, attuning themselves to the animals’ calm energy. Goat cuddles remind us that tending to another living being requires patience, respect, and an open heart. Through this bond, the children develop empathy and a deeper sense of belonging within the living world of the farm.
1:00 PM
Bunny Care & Quiet Observation
Our time with the rabbits invites stillness and wonder. The children visit the mini barn to gently feed fresh greens, refill water, and observe these gentle creatures in their quiet routines. Sitting nearby, they notice soft fur, twitching noses, and the calm rhythm of a rabbit at rest. Through this slow and mindful care, the children practice gentleness, patience, and respect for life—qualities that deepen their sense of connection to all living beings.
1:30 PM
Nature Exploration &
Observation Walk
Each afternoon, we set out on gentle walks through the farm and surrounding fields, guided by curiosity and wonder. Children are encouraged to slow down and notice the small details of the natural world—the shape of a leaf, the sound of rustling grasses, or the tracks of an animal in the soil. With baskets or journals in hand, they may collect natural treasures, sketch their findings, or simply observe the changing colors and rhythms of the season. This quiet yet rich time deepens the children’s sense of place, strengthens observation skills, and nurtures reverence for the living landscape that sustains our farm life.
2:00 PM
Snack & Washroom Break
We pause for a nourishing snack and a moment of rest. Children wash their hands, enjoy a snack from home, and share quiet conversation together. This unhurried time allows for connection and renewal—bodies are refueled, and spirits are refreshed for the next part of the day’s work.
2:30 PM
Entrepreneurship & Farm Work
During this time, the children take part in the meaningful work that connects the farm to the wider community. Together, they plan what to harvest, wash freshly gathered eggs, and carefully label and stamp each carton for market. They help create hand-painted signs, sort produce, and prepare handmade goods to offer at the farm stand. As they count change, record sales, and calculate simple profit margins, real-world math comes to life in a purposeful and joyful way.
3:00 PM
Closing Circle
(Reflection & Gratitude)
We come together to reflect on our day, share discoveries, and express gratitude. This may include storytelling, a short meditation, or sharing highlights from the day before we say our goodbyes.
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Afternoon Depature
As the day gently draws to a close, children enjoy a period of free play in the playground, where laughter, imagination, and friendship flow freely. This unstructured time allows them to unwind from the day’s work—climbing, building, creating stories, or simply resting under a favorite tree. Between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m., parents arrive for pickup, greeting their children amidst the joyful hum of the farm.
SCHOOL CLOSURE DATES 2025
Canada Day –
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Labour Day –
Monday, September 1, 2025
Thanksgiving Day –
Monday, October 13, 2025
Christmas Day –
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Boxing Day –
Friday, December 26, 2025
SCHOOL CLOSURE DATES 2026
New Year's Day –
Thursday, January 1, 2026
Family Day –
Monday, February 16, 2026
Good Friday –
Friday, April 3, 2026
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Victoria Day –
Monday, May 18, 2026
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Canada Day –
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
PA DAY CAMPS
Friday, October 10, 2025
Friday, November 14, 2025
Friday, January 23, 2026
Friday, February 13, 2026
Friday, June 5, 2026