About Us
Nature Connection + Adventurous Play Advocates
At Wild Wander Forest School, we believe children need more than structured schedules and indoor routines—they need mud, movement, and meaningful connection to the world around them. In response to a culture increasingly focused on safety and standardization, we’ve created a place where children can safely take healthy risks, explore with confidence, and build lifelong resilience through nature-based, project-driven play.
Our all-outdoor program offers children the freedom to climb, build, balance, and imagine in natural settings—experiences that support not only physical development, but also emotional strength, creativity, and deep curiosity. Through a balance of guided exploration and unstructured time in the wild, we nurture a generation of learners who are rooted, capable, and alive with wonder.
What do we believe?
We deeply believe in the transformative power of immersing children in the natural world and giving them the freedom to explore, play, and learn at their own pace. We advocate for deep nature connection as a way to ignite lifelong wonder, curiosity, and care for the earth—nurturing a generation of children who feel at home in nature and inspired to protect it.
We also champion adventurous play, knowing that when children are trusted to take age-appropriate risks, they develop resilience, confidence, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills. Through this project-based, nature-centered approach, we model a more balanced, respectful relationship with the natural world—one where children grow not only as learners, but as thoughtful, empowered stewards of their environment.
What do we do?
We provide an all-outdoor, all-weather Preschool, TK, and Kindergarten program that blends strong academic foundations with the freedom to explore, question, and grow. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to align with California’s early learning standards—but we see those standards as a baseline, not a boundary.
We believe that meaningful learning happens when children are truly seen and heard. That’s why we follow their natural interests, questions, and curiosities—extending learning in ways that are relevant, joyful, and deeply engaging. Whether a child is captivated by counting beetles, building shelters, writing stories in the sand, or learning to read under the trees, we create space for real discovery to unfold.
We use a blend of project-based learning, explicit instruction, Orton-Gillingham literacy, and the Heggerty phonemic awareness method to ensure children develop strong skills in language, math, and critical thinking—without sacrificing their sense of wonder or individuality. At Wild Wander Forest School, learning is not one-size-fits-all. It’s dynamic, responsive, and rooted in confidence, curiosity, and connection.
We let their nature lead—because when children feel empowered to explore who they are and what they love, they don’t just meet expectations—they exceed them.
Are you curious about how forest schools work? Visit our HOW WE OPERATE page for more information.
Rooted in A Place-Based Approach to education
Our programs take a holistic, place-based approach to early education—grounded in California State Education Standards and designed to support each child’s unique developmental journey. By using the local environment as a living classroom, we invite students to explore, question, and grow through hands-on experiences that honor both academic growth and natural curiosity.
Looking ahead
Wild Wander Forest School continues to lead with innovation and heart in the world of nature-based education—creating space for children to explore, ask meaningful questions, and find genuine joy in learning. As we look to the future, our founders and the entire team of dedicated educators remain deeply committed to inspiring every child who joins us to cultivate a lifelong love of learning.
We believe in meeting each child where they are, nurturing their curiosity, and preparing them for a future rooted in wonder, creativity, and a lasting connection to the natural world.
What will your child do at Wild Wander Forest School?
Participate in experiential, emergent, and place-based learning rooted in real-world exploration
Build mastery in core academic skills through instruction aligned with California State Standards
Receive explicit, multisensory literacy instruction grounded in developmentally appropriate practice
Strengthen early and developing literacy through research, rich narration, and collaborative storytelling
Cultivate gross motor confidence through adventurous, age-appropriate risky play
Grow as compassionate community members through cooperation, teamwork, and mutual respect
Develop strong social-emotional skills including self-awareness, resilience, and empathy
Foster a deep sense of environmental stewardship through daily connection with nature
Discover the joy of lifelong learning through curiosity, creativity, and wonder in the natural world
rooted in purpose
Imagine a world...
Where every child is free to play—wildly, joyfully, and without limits.
Where childhood is rich with adventure, awe, and wonder.
Where children grow through deep connection—to nature, community, and themselves.
Where every voice is heard, every question honored, and each child is trusted in their innate wisdom.
It’s that simple. And that powerful.
Project-Based Learning
At Wild Wander Forest School, we honor each child’s unique learning journey through meaningful interaction with their environment, their peers, and their own inner world. Grounded in project-based learning, our educators act as intentional guides—thoughtfully nurturing each student’s way of thinking and making meaning. We embrace learning as something that is built, embodied, and discovered—never simply delivered.
We believe that every experience in nature holds the potential for learning. Through a child’s “hundred languages”—their many ways of expressing, processing, and understanding the world—comprehension unfolds organically. The discoveries students make in their surroundings become the foundation for authentic, integrated learning.
These moments are intentionally woven into a responsive curriculum that includes California State Education Standards, Creative Curriculum, Social and Emotional Learning, and Environmental Stewardship. Through emergent learning, open-ended projects, and carefully planned provocations, we create opportunities for students to engage deeply and meaningfully.
Educators document and assess student growth by observing how each child interacts with the learning environment, ensuring their individual styles, strengths, and developmental needs are supported, challenged, and celebrated.
Nature Advocates
As an outdoor school, our commitment to the whole child includes not only academic excellence and social-emotional learning, but also a deep responsibility to the natural world we learn in.
Alongside curriculum and state standards, we prioritize teaching children to be mindful, respectful stewards of the environment—honoring the land, the ecosystems, and the living beings we share it with.
Through eco-conscious practices woven into daily routines, students learn the importance of caring for our “nature classrooms.” From packing out what we bring in, to taking only what is needed and giving thanks to the land, our teachers model a deep respect for the environment. These values are not just taught—they are lived.
As students explore the outdoors, they naturally begin to develop empathy, curiosity, and a sense of shared responsibility for the world around them. By understanding the “why” behind our actions, they are empowered to become thoughtful caretakers of their environment both on and off the trail.
Risky Play
As students explore and learn from the world around them, they are also building essential skills—strengthening fine and gross motor coordination, developing problem-solving abilities, and growing in self-confidence. Through risky play, children are given the freedom to challenge themselves in meaningful ways. These experiences empower them to assess their abilities, make thoughtful choices, and take age-appropriate risks—fostering self-reliance, resilience, and a deeper understanding of their own capabilities.
Positive Guidance in Practice
At Wild Wander Forest School, we are a mission-driven community deeply committed to nurturing the whole child. Our approach goes far beyond academics or simply spending time outdoors—it includes intentionally supporting each child’s social and emotional development as a vital part of their growth.
We believe in scaffolding essential life skills such as self-regulation, empathy, relationship-building, and responsible decision-making. These are not just taught—they're lived and practiced daily through meaningful experiences in a supportive, responsive environment.
Just as we thoughtfully integrate academic standards into our place-based curriculum, we also incorporate Positive Guidance strategies and a Trauma-Informed approach to help students navigate the complex emotional and social landscape of early childhood. Our goal is to foster emotional resilience, self-awareness, and compassion—skills that will serve our students far beyond their time with us.
Let Their Nature Lead
At Wild Wander, we believe the richest learning emerges when children follow their curiosity. Our interest-based approach honors each child's natural desire to explore, create, and ask questions. Rather than steering children through a rigid curriculum, we create open-ended invitations and seasonal provocations that allow their interests to shape the direction of learning. Whether a child is captivated by insects, storytelling, climbing, or clay, we nurture those sparks—guiding them toward deeper inquiry, skill-building, and joy. In this way, learning is not just retained, it’s lived.
