Outdoor Classrooms

We know based on experience that outdoor learning is crucial to a child’s development. At Green Garden our natural playgrounds are a second classroom, since we know learning isn’t limited to four walls. We aim to be the foundation of the Nature Connection Pyramid, providing your child with daily nature immersion. Children are expected to come to school in appropriate clothing that corresponds to the weather. We will be going outside everyday — rain, shine or snow!

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TODAY

Get OUTside 

At each Green Garden Campus you will find a natural playground, which we often refer to as our “outdoor classroom”. Outside is an extension of our indoor environments and we take our outside time very seriously. Everyone knows outside can get messy – we keep it that way. Our teachers and staff express excitement as we walk outdoors to explore! We look to the soil in our gardens and the snow on our playgrounds as opportunities to play, inquire and dream. Was there heavy rainfall? Neat, we’ll splash in puddles. Is there a fresh morning dew? On it, we’re taking magnifying glasses out and investigating.

Healthy risk taking

By having natural materials readily available for children we expect them to use their creativity and imagination, and they never fail to do so! For our toddlers and preschoolers they want to CLIMB! We encourage them to build structures and push their comfort levels in a safe environment. Our students build self-confidence as they wobble on a balance beam or run quickly down a hill. The last thing we want as Early Childhood professionals is to interrupt their stream of play. We consistently assure students that we’re here to help support them on their wildest adventures!

Natural Materials

Our outdoor classrooms are filled with tree cookies (no, they aren’t edible), bird feeders and sticks! Some campuses also have stumps and bigger logs. At Green Garden you will not find large brightly-colored jungle gyms or swing sets. Instead, you will find shovels, mud kitchens and bikes.

Respect for the world

Green Garden kids learn about empathy and how to be respectful to growing beings that aren’t humans. For some campuses, this looks like helping care for our chickens. This is a great way for our students to learn how to care for animals and treat them with kindness. Thanks to the help of our nature specialists we also are able to learn about life cycles, regional species and natural habitats.

Our Programs

Infants

The first year of life is full of special moments and milestones. Our team of Infant Teachers is here to support you as you embark on your parenting journey! Sharing photos and highlights of every day to include you in all of your child’s growth and development.

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Toddlers

When you enter a Toddler Classroom, you will see teachers ready to listen, learn and play. We listen to your child’s interest to create a classroom environment that cultivates creativity and provides a safe place to express themselves and explore their world.

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Preschool & Pre-K

Preschool at Green Garden looks like play but there’s so much more. Our classrooms are led by the children and supported intentionally for them. We incorporate the outdoors any chance we get and ensure our teachers serve as leaders of learning.

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What Parents Are Saying

My two kids have been a part of the Green Garden family for a few years now. This place is not a day care, it is more of a learning facility. Green Garden and the teachers provide a great and loving environment with lots of activities. My kids love going to school and they love the teachers. I also like the fact that the food that is provided is organic. That is important in today’s society, especially because of the use of pesticides. I also like the owner of Green Garden. I see her all the time. She is involved in the daily activities and she provides good benefits for the teachers. Better benefits for the teachers should mean more talented teachers. Overall, this is a great place and one of the better decisions my wife and I made for our children.

Doug W.

As a new mom trying to navigate Covid, I was extra cautious when it came to selecting a facility that would make us feel safe but that also felt like home. We found that in Green Garden – the staff is wonderful and engaged, communicative and kind and our son has a blast every single time he goes to school. We recently moved into the older toddler program and our only regret was having to say goodbye to Miss Nekeshia. Thank you so much to everyone at GG!

Marney B.

Dropping your infant or child off at daycare for the first time is such an emotional event. The staff at Green Garden really help to make this transition more comfortable. The teachers here are so kind and you can easily tell that they are passionate about their jobs. Both my children are excited every morning to go in. It makes those drops offs so much easier when your little one has a smile on their face and talks about their teachers at home. Additionally as a plant based family we have greatly appreciated their organic, vegetarian menu. They are also very welcoming and supportive of LGBTQ families. A truly warm, enclosing and welcoming environment.

Aleigha P.

All three of my children attended Green Garden and we couldn’t be happier with our experience there. We transferred from another local day care facility when my oldest was 2 years old, before the other kiddos were born, and it was the best decision we ever made. Green Garden staff are caring and knowledgeable. Everyone at Green Garden was attentive to our children’s medical needs, and the directors have always been quick to respond to questions, concerns and last minute schedule changes. I am impressed with how little staff turnover they have, which is unusual in the child care industry. The teachers truly became an extended family to us, and I will miss them as my youngest heads off to kindergarten. My favorite part of our experience at Green Garden has been the unique classroom setting, coupled with lots of nature and outside time! I also loved the sense of community, with “after-hours” family activities that helped build relationships with other Green Garden families. Our children learned so much and made lifelong friendships. I cannot say enough good things about Green Garden!

Christina C.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the best child care center I’ve ever encountered. They actually do put children first, they don’t just talk about it (as so many centers do as they become overly concerned with numbers and finances). It’s incredible to watch them grow – both physically and in mission to children and families – and to contribute so strongly and positively into their community. Highest recommendation possible.

Jenny P.

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