Play Matters Preschool

When children aren’t constantly interrupted, no one is rushing in to correct, direct or turn their play into a lesson, something beautiful begins to unfold. The play deepens, the ideas expand & the children lead.

So much of early childhood is spent with adults telling children what to do, how to do it, and what the “right” outcome should look like. But childhood was never meant to be micromanaged. Our role is not to control the play. Our role is to create an environment that invites wonder. Spaces that feel safe, inspiring & alive. Full of Loose parts+Open-ended materials where their given time to linger & freedom to imagine.

This weekend’s celebration was full of dusty little construction sites, sensory bins overflowing with tiny concrete bricks, loose parts ready for building, trucks rolling through mud. We pour so much love into creating sensory rich birthday experiences that feel immersive, magical, and deeply memorable for children and their families.

And one secret detail we don’t really advertise in our party packages: Forest fae Nae quietly flutters around throughout the celebration capturing the magic as it unfolds. Yup, the muddy hands & all the in-between memories parents are usually too busy hosting to fully witness. Afterwards, I create a keepsake reel for the birthday family so they can relive the day again and again while staying truly present during the celebration itself.

That part matters deeply to me.
Because parents deserve to experience the magic too. Also… keep your eyes open later this week because we’ll be announcing our newest birthday package offering. Little hint? It makes noise 🥁✨

There’s something about a table in nature that feels almost sacred. The way conversations linger a little longer. The way children’s laughter echoes through the trees. This handmade table — built with love by one of our preschool parents — has quietly become the heart of so many beautiful moments here at Play Matters.

Storytelling, shared meals, tiny voices telling jokes, birthday candles glowing in the morning sun, mothers lingering after pickup.
Connection happening slowly & naturally without anyone forcing it.

Come June 27th, this table will hold something new as we gather for our very first seasonal solstice in sisterhood event — a morning for women to come together in community, outdoors under the warmth of summer. This will be a child-free gathering centered around sisterhood, connection, food, drinks, music + making space for ourselves with one another. More details to come! Comment below if you want to be involved 🌞

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A little late on my Mother’s Day post:
While the world is rushing and racing I just want to mother mindfully, live life slowly, show up authentically & do it all imperfectly.

& on that note, decided to paint a couple rainbow accent walls in our play scape. Which is fitting since Silas is my rainbow babe after 6 years, 6 losses & a ectopic rupture that could have killed me, we survived a very rare/high risk angular pregnancy.

I share often, unfiltered about my journey with infertility & loss because I know I’m not alone and anyone dealing with it knows it can be extremely isolating. I kept hearing that it would all make sense when I looked at my living child-& it did. My journey led me to this path where I get to work intimately with new & seasoned moms, supporting the whole family in a real and human way.

I can say this without hesitation that had I not been able to birth a living child, I would not have the heart to do this it would be all too triggering. Because the truth is that not all women get their rainbow like I did. I’m extremely aware of this and it keeps me present and thankful every single day when I watch the sunlight dance off his soft curls. Thanks for making me a mom Silas Wild 🌈

In our environment, our group size is kept small and intentional for a reason. This season of childhood is sacred, and the time we share with children during these early years deserves to be honored with presence, connection, and care.

One thing that makes our program unique is the consistency of relationship. You won’t see rotating teachers here — it’s always me and my six wildlings. I understand that for some families who rely on childcare, having substitute coverage when I’m sick may feel more supportive, and I deeply respect that every family has different needs. I also know our program won’t be the right fit for everyone — and that’s okay.

For the families who value deep teacher-child connection, you understand why this matters so much to me. I trust that the right families will continue to find us when the timing feels aligned. I stay mindful of the needs of every child in our care, and because of that, our relationships remain close, personal, and deeply rooted in trust. The bonds we build here are strong. Our family connections are real and human. And our little community stays intentionally intimate.