Our Philosophy & Activities
Our program is rooted in the developmental theories of Jean Piaget and Erik Erikson. We honor each child's unique pace through observation, experimentation, and discovery, following the natural curiosity of every young learner.
Child-Led Exploration
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Emergent learning: activities that evolve from the children's interests
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Whole-child approach: exposure to varied activities and materials supporting different learning styles and domains
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Mixed-age setting: collaborative play that builds social confidence
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Outdoor discovery: learning through hands-on engagement with nature
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Sensory play: hands-on sensory activities throughout the day
Rooted in Nature & Compassion
Our curriculum for children ages 2–5 is built on the belief that learning happens most naturally through child-led, play-based exploration.
In our mixed-age environment, older children develop leadership skills while younger ones learn through observation, creating a supportive family-like community where everyone thrives together.
We spend our days primarily outdoors, allowing the changing seasons and Los Angeles landscape to serve as our primary classroom. Underpinned by Nonviolent Communication (NVC) principles, our educators guide children in recognizing their feelings and needs, fostering a culture of empathy and clear communication from the very start.
Our Core Pillars
- Play-Based Learning: Cultivating wonder and problem-solving through hands-on discovery.
- Mixed-Age Community: Encouraging peer-to-peer mentoring and social confidence.
- Outdoor Immersion: Developing physical resilience and a deep connection to the natural world.
- Non-Violent Communication: Building emotional intelligence and compassionate conflict resolution tools.
- Co-op Powered: Harnessing the collective power of our parents to model lifelong learning, reduce operating costs, and find strength in our diversity.