Welcome to The Nesting Box! Whether you’re a seasoned homeschool family looking for additional community support, or you’re simply testing the waters in the new world of homeschooling, you’re in the right place. We’re so glad you’re here.
What is “The Nesting Box”?
The Nesting Box at Frenchie Farm is an outdoor elective-based farm enrichment class for homeschool families. While these classes may appeal more to homeschooling families due to the time of day of class offerings, The Nesting Box welcomes families of all different schooling philosophies. The Nesting Box is a weekly or twice per week class for 3 hours per day. Classes are collaborative in nature to foster a community oriented learning approach, while weekly meetings with the same families each week provides kids with an opportunity to develop friendships with their peers
The Nesting Box is located within Frenchie Farm, a small, family-owned and operated farm located in the western Chicago suburbs. The Nesting Box utilizes the outdoor farm environment while also have access to a fully finished and heated barn to ensure a cozy learning space.
DISCLAIMER: The Nesting Box is not a school, and we do not teach academic material. The Nesting Box is an outdoor farm-based weekly class for families.
Can you tell me more about Frenchie Farm?
Frenchie Farm is a small regenerative farm located in the western Chicago suburbs. Colleen and Ben raise dairy goats, dairy cows, chickens, ducks, guinea fowl, and livestock guardian dogs alongside raising their three wild children and two French bulldogs.
Colleen is a previous Child & Adolescent therapist, but she now spends her time teaching Farm Classes for Kids at Frenchie Farm, homeschooling her kiddos, and directing classes at The Nesting Box. Ben is a Project Manager for his local family construction company by day, and full-time farmer by night and weekend.
What will my child do during classes at the Nesting Box?
Well, all sorts of things!
Classes are “elective” farm-based and focus on seasonal changes, nature based science, art, music, journaling, etc while providing ample opportunities to customize learning based on the interests of the group.
Will the farm be incorporated into weekly classes at The Nesting Box?
Of course! While children will not have free access to the farm to ensure that safety of both kids and livestock, the farm is always at the core of classes. Students enrolled in The Nesting Box will raise their own baby chicks, have their own chicken coop, care for their own chickens, and collect their own eggs. Children will also plant their own community garden to be shared amongst other Nesting Box students, and will harvest their own produce to bring home and share with their families.
The Nesting Box students will also have the unique opportunity to learn about the farm through changing seasons, whether it’s through the slowness during the colder months or the welcoming of new life (i.e. goats, chicks, ducklings, etc) during the warmer months. If students are interested in a more immersive farm-based experience, then optional add on classes will be offered specifically for students enrolled in The Nesting Box.
What ages/classes are offered?
Classes at The Nesting Box are multi-age in nature while still maintaining a focus on developmentally appropriate activities. Below are the current class offerings for the 2022 – 2023 year.
- SPROUTS at The Nesting Box (4-6 year olds): SPROUT classes are specifically designed for kids between the ages of 4-6 years. These classes focus largely on play based learning, imaginative play, art, music, and seasonal activities.
- KEETS at The Nesting Box (7-9 year olds): KEET classes are specifically designed for kids between the ages of 5-7 years. These classes will still incorporate opportunities for play based learning, but will further introduce art, science, seasonal curriculum, nature journaling, etc.
- DRAKES at The Nesting Box (10-12 years old) : DRAKE classes are specifically designed for kids 10-12 years. These classes will dive deeper into art, science, seasonal curriculum, nature journaling, etc.
Do classes span the entire year?
Yes. Classes at the Nesting Box begin in September 2023 and will end in May 2024. By enrolling in The Nesting Box, you are committing to classes for Quarter 1 (Fall), Quarter 2 (Winter), and Quarter 3 (Spring). Quarter 4 (Summer) may or may not be offered depending on overall interest.
The year long commitment provides children with an opportunity to build friendships and learn alongside their peers in a consistent environment. If you choose to un-enroll in The Nesting Box midway through the quarter, then you will be charged for the remainder of the quarter in full. If you choose to un-enroll in The Nesting Box before the start of a new quarter, then you must provide a one month notice.
Below is the schedule for the 2023 – 2024 year. (Dates are subject to change slightly.)
- Meet & Greet: 9/6/24
- Quarter 1 (Fall): 9/9/24 – 11/22/24
- Thanksgiving Break: 11/25/24 – 11/29/24
- Quarter 2 (Winter): 12/2/24 – 3/21/25
- Winter Break: 12/16/24 – 1/3/25
- Spring Break: 3/24/25 – 3/28/25
- Quarter 3: (Spring) 3/31/25 – 5/23/25
- LAST DAY: 5/23/25
- Quarter 4 (Summer) : OPTIONAL, Dates TBD
Will events be scheduled outside normal class days?
Occasional complementary events will be scheduled on the farm. These events will be scheduled ahead of time and will be optional.
The Nesting Box will offer additional add on classes based on student interest and teacher availability. Such options can include Farm Class, yoga, Spanish, etc. These classes are always optional and would require an additional fee to participate.
Will I receive information about weekly learning topics?
Of course! The Nesting Box will send a weekly newsletter with a review of the week to keep parents up to date on their child’s learning. We will also share photos via a secure photo sharing system.
Can my child come two times per week?
Absolutely! Simply choose your preferred two days at checkout.
How much does The Nesting Box cost?
The cost for each 3 hour drop off class is $50.34. Tuition is calculated on a monthly basis, and is determined by 32 weeks of classes divided over the course of 9 months. The monthly tuition for The Nesting Box is $179. The Nesting Box requires a $100 non-refundable annual material fee. Parents are not required to provide any materials, as all learning materials are provided during class
Upon registration, you will pay for the first month (September 2023) along with the annual material fee.
Why is there an annual material fee?
When your child attends The Nesting Box, you are not required to supply any of your own materials. We want this experience to be as simple and convenient as possible for busy parents. The only items required to bring are a snack, water bottle, and backpack to bring items home.
How do I enroll?
Enrolling in The Nesting Box is simple. Click the link, choose the appropriate class based on your child’s age, follow the prompts for registration, and enter your payment details.
Due to the nature of classes at The Nesting Box, makeup classes are not offered and refunds will not be provided for missed classes.
After registering, you will receive an email during Spring 2023.
Why “The Nesting Box”?
Did you know that chickens lay their eggs in small and cozy boxes? Nesting boxes function as the perfect place for mama hens to hatch fertilized eggs in a safe way. Our family has grown to love the routine of collecting eggs day in and day out. There’s something magical about finding those perfectly beautiful rainbow eggs in those little nesting boxes each and every day.
Our children also thrive learning alongside their peers in a small and cozy environment, don’t they?
And so The Nesting Box was born…
Why “Frenchie Farm”?
Well, this little farm family of ours all started with a French bulldog named Henry. Henry sparked our love for animals and encouraged us to step outside the box to pursue holistic healing for his allergy ridden body. Henry has since passed, but his legacy sure does live on.