Our Story
Green Garden was founded by a single mom from Metro Detroit who wanted the absolute best early childhood experience for her son. More than a decade later, the same values still hold true. From our organic gardens and menu to our curious learning approach, Green Garden focuses on the individual needs of the whole child and family.
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Green Garden has a heart that thrives on achieving the best for each individual child, family, team member, and community it serves, for the sake of a better world. This is what drives us to continually challenge ourselves far beyond the status quo of a plastic and worksheet filled daycare. With a foundation of love and passion for every child to experience the greatness of what is possible, we continue to structure ourselves based on that same foundation today. That means your child matters to us. Your family’s joys and challenges are our joys and challenges. The team members we walk alongside each and every day are worth more to us than their hours of work. Our communities where Green Garden has been planted are the places we want to work with to create healthy and strong neighborhoods. The world we’ve been given is one we truly want to take care of and understand how our choices impact generations to come. We take our calling to care seriously, and you’ll see that in each and every classroom we lead, campus we plant and team member we help to grow.
Why Choose Green Garden?
Family Focused Community
We aim to be extension of home, not a watered-down version of school
Learn MoreCurious Learning Movement
We create intentional “YES” environments that foster autonomy and develop inquisitive thinkers
Learn MoreGardens & Growth
We believe nature offers never-ending opportunities for growth and learning
Learn MoreOutdoor Classrooms
We build spaces outside of our buildings to continue learning throughout every moment our day
Learn MoreWhat Parents Are Saying
Find a Campus Near You!
View LocationsErica Kral
Founder and CEOErica is a devoted wife and mom of four boys. Family is the foundation of Erica’s life and it is why Green Garden exists. Through constant education in early childhood education and leadership Erica has sought to better her world by bringing growth to everyone she has a chance to pour into. She is energized by her time with extended family, opportunities to stay active in nature and exploring as much of the world as possible.
Samantha Ford
Regional DirectorSam has a passion to see each and every child grow up and into the unique person they are to become. She has taken her education, experience, both personal and professional, and uses them to be a teacher of teachers helping to grow Green Garden to reach more and more families. When Sam is away from Green Garden she loves to spend time with friends, her husband, Donovan, and her beloved pup Missy.
Roslyn Williams
Madison Heights Campus DirectorRoslyn, or Ms. Roz, as we call her, has a passion and enthusiasm for leadership and quality early learning that radiates where ever she goes. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an early childhood specialty from Oakland University and then went on to earn her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Eastern Michigan University. She empowers teachers to create the best learning environment for young minds. Her family time consists of going to the park with her two amazing girls or finding cool new places to eat with her children and husband
Shelby Schaeding
Hazel Park South Campus DirectorShelby’s welcoming personality aligns perfectly with her beliefs in self-expression and supporting children’s growth at an individual level. She learned about these values while she obtained her Bachelor’s degree at North Central University — she studied youth development, family dynamics and substance abuse counseling. When she’s not with our team, she enjoys spending time with her husband and pup, Fox.
Chelsea Mckeever
Curriculum DirectorChelsea’s commitment to the growth of our teachers and students is easily recognizable whenever you pass her at any one of our Green Garden Campuses. Whether she is helping a teacher master their classroom management skills or fostering a love for learning with a student she always gives her whole heart wherever she is. Chelsea works day in and day out to ensure high quality at each of our schools through observations, assessments, and coaching.
Sarah Lambrix
Program Quality SpecialistSarah cares deeply about offering high quality childcare whilst supporting the growth of new and exisiting teachers. She graduated from Lake Superior State University with a bachelors in Early Childhood Education and has spent over 15 years in the field. Her connection to Green Garden goes beyond her work as she shares our values on her time off spending time with her husband exploring nature and bringing new life to her 142-year-old farm house.
Matt Harris
Director of Nutrition & Outdoor ClassroomsMatt’s excitement for vegetarian cooking, nature, and passing these values onto the next generation are seen everyday as his smile carries him from one campus to another bringing culinary delights and ingenuity and care to each of our outdoor classrooms. Matt has true joy that overflows into his work, his team, our whole Green Garden family.
Beth Hill
Office ManagerWith a joyful energy and welcoming smile, Beth manages and runs our administrative office. Her enthusiasm and eye for detail are unmatched as she keeps things organized for all of Green Garden. She obtained her B.A in Business Administration with a concentration in organizational leadership from Southern New Hampshire University. When Beth is not a work being a multitasking superstar she is spending time with her husband, and four-year-old daughter. She loves traveling and experiencing different cultures. One of her goals is to travel to as many national parks within the United States as she can.
Alex Bateman
Facilities ManagerAlex brings project management experience and his love for family to Green Garden. Hazel Park is where he grew up and he loves that his work allows him to support his hometown community. He brings his knowledge and skills to life as he takes care of our physical environments. Outside of work, you can find Alex fishing with his daughter or driving fast things.
Kelly Konieczki
Nature SpecialistKelly’s warmth, patience and love for nature floods into our outdoor classrooms and gardens. With her help, Green Garden children and staff bear witness to new species of plants and insects. While she may be hard-to-catch, like a Monarch butterfly, Kelly is integral to the team at Green Garden and brings so much joy to the eyes of the staff and children.
Sara Evans
Nature SpecialistSara brings over 20 years of child development experience, being that she homeschooled her two children using a nature-based approach and seeking out the wonder in their eyes the entire time. Her family time is extremely important to her whether it’s something as exciting as travel, simple like watching TV with her husband, or even just playing fetch with her cat. Sara believes that everything is amazing, as long as you take the time to look.