06/26/2023
I had announced here that we'd be reopening the preschool. That has changed, so I wanted to post the update here in case someone's inquiring about it. I'll be out of the country until August & won't be answering messages or emails. From 2008 to 2020, Wildflowers ran a very successful program including preschool, homeschool, summer camp, & sometimes an afterschool program. We started a camp back up last summer though we only offered it for one week a year this summer & last. The preschool was advertised & tours were given, but only 3 kids signed up, so we are honoring the reality that everything changes and one can never "go back", no matter how great that chapter of life was. Possibly in the future we'll offer occasional sessions of enrichment nature-connection classes or workshops, but none are set right now. We plan to offer another week of summer camp in 2024.
I would love to help someone open another nature school! We need more! If you know someone who wants to open one on their land or in parks, please pass my name along as I LOVE to mentor other teachers & have a ready-made-program and 40 yrs of experience in nature education I can share with them.
If you're looking for a preschool program, you could check these out to see if they have room:
http://rootstobranches.com/
All outside in a big wild-space park. I talked to the owners once & they sound great. If I had a 3 year old, this would be my 1st choice to check out.
https://www.facebook.com/WoodlandschoolSebastopol/
I've known Rebecca, the owner of this & she's awesome. I heard a rumour she's found a different spot than Ragle Park. I hope you can get in touch with her.
https://weavingearth.org/wild-tenders-2022-23/
I know the owners of this & their program well & it's awesome. Well established, amazing community to be a part of. We have the same root inspiration of our philosophy & program (Jon Young).
https://www.vildanature.org/nature-days-4-6
Great program! I know the owner of this, Mia, & her program well & we have the same roots. Great small-pod programs. Petaluma's the closest.
https://fultoncommunityschool.com/
Recently I've heard from 2 parents and a teacher about this one. Sounds great.
https://www.playgardens.org/programs/
Many Waldorf playgardens are very nature-based, though some say they are but still spend a lot of time indoors. Here's a list of playgardens:
In particular, I recommend these 2 that I've checked out:
-Azalea Cottage Playgarden. Sherri Chrichton is an awesome, cheery teacher. The kids are all outside, with a covered area of Waldorf materials, a cool fort bush, and a solid small program.
- https://www.saplingsforestplaygarden.com/ Christina's the most brilliant preschool teacher I've ever met. MA in music education I think. Their little spot directly connects to huge forest playground of co-housing.
https://www.emeraldheartkids.com/
If you're near Marin County, I spoke with owners & parents here & it sounds like a similar program to mine.
https://www.freeforestschool.org/findagroup
If you want a cheaper, co-op type forest school experience, try this. I don't know much about it. But I like the concept started by: https://richardlouv.com/books/last-child/
I wish everyone would read Last Child in The Woods. If they did, we'd have a different world. :)
If you find another program you'd like to recommend chime in.
Official website for Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle, and co-founder of the Children & Nature Network
