Our Nature School Learning Pod is a Reggio-inspired outdoor enrichment program for young children, offering days filled with hands-on exploration, imaginative play, creativity, and discovery. Early literacy and math are woven naturally into children’s everyday experiences, questions, conversations, and discoveries.
Program Details
Ages 3–5 years
T/W/TH
9:00 AM–12:30 PM
JOIN US IN SAN ANSELMO
We can accommodate up to 8 children
We have a rolling admissions policy. Join us at anytime, space allowing.
Nature School
Learning Pod
"The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness."
- John Muir
Learning That Celebrates Childhood
We believe children can build strong academic foundations without rushing childhood.
Our Nature Learning Pod offers a different approach to early education—one that brings together intentional learning, nature-based education, movement, creativity, and the simple joy of being a young child.
Rather than spending the day sitting at tables, listening to lectures, or completing worksheets, children learn through their whole bodies and through real experiences. They climb, dig, build, collect, investigate, imagine, tell stories, make discoveries, and ask questions. Along the way, literacy, math, science, and other foundational skills become part of what they are already doing.
Why Nature?
Nature provides an endlessly rich environment for learning. Children can experience concepts rather than simply being told about them.
A fallen log becomes a place to balance, measure, compare, count, observe insects, build a story, or solve a problem. A handful of acorns can inspire sorting, patterns, counting, drawing, writing, and imaginative play.
Time outdoors also gives children opportunities to develop independence, confidence, creativity, physical coordination, problem-solving, observation, and a deeper connection to the living world.
A Childhood-Rich Education
We believe childhood is not something to rush through in preparation for “real” learning.
Childhood is the learning.
There is time to wonder.
Time to get muddy.
Time to climb a tree.
Time to make up a game.
Time to tell a story.
Time to be silly.
Time to notice a tiny beetle.
Time to figure something out without an adult immediately stepping in.
Our small group of up to eight children and two teachers allows us to know each child well, follow their interests, provide individualized support, and create space for both intentional teaching and unhurried exploration.
We use the Waldorf-inspired Wondergarten curriculum and Acorn School literacy curriculum to provide intentional foundations in early learning, while our nature-based environment gives children meaningful and creative ways to experience those concepts.
We don't believe children have to choose between learning and childhood. Our goal is to give them both.
Our School Week
Tuesday–Thursday | 9:00 AM–12:30 PM
Our Nature Learning Pod meets three mornings each week for a consistent, connected learning experience.
Ages: 3–5
Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Hours: 9:00 AM–12:30 PM
Group Size: Up to 8 children
Teachers: 2 educators
Our Location: Bouick Field at the San Anselmo Playhouse
~With occasional off-site fieldtrips to Lake Lagunitas in Fairfax!
Our primary classroom is the outdoors. We spend our mornings exploring the field, surrounding redwoods, and natural spaces around the Playhouse. We believe children benefit from being outside in all kinds of weather, so outdoor exploration is an important part of our daily rhythm. We also have access to a nearby indoor space, giving us a comfortable option for particularly wet, cold, or otherwise challenging weather.
Our days include a balance of nature exploration, creative work, movement, stories, literacy, math, imaginative play, and child-led discovery—with plenty of time to simply be children.
A Morning With Room to Wonder
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Arrival & open-ended exploration
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Nature gathering & invitations to explore
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Literacy, math & hands-on learning
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Snack & outdoor play
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Nature exploration, creative projects & child-led play
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Gathering, stories & closing
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Pick-up
Tuition
$1,100 per month
Tuesday–Thursday | 9:00 AM–12:30 PM
Ages 3–5 | Maximum 8 children | Two teachers
Our monthly tuition reflects a small, relationship-based learning environment with just eight children and two teachers. Tuition includes our nature-based curriculum, Wondergarten and Acorn School literacy experiences, learning materials, and all regular outdoor and indoor learning activities.
Enrollment is for the full three-day schedule, allowing children to become part of a consistent learning community and build meaningful relationships with their teachers and peers.
Limited to 8 children.
Is Our Nature Learning Pod the Right Fit for Your Child?
Designed for children who are curious, creative, and eager to explore the world around them, our Nature Learning Pod is a good fit for families who value childhood as a time for discovery, connection, meaningful play, and hands-on learning.
Our program was created for children who:
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Love being outdoors and are excited to explore nature in all seasons
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Enjoy open-ended play, imagination, and creating their own ideas
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Are curious about how things work and ask lots of questions
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Enjoy having time to investigate, wonder, and follow their interests
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Love getting messy, using their hands, and working with natural materials
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Are developing independence and confidence in a small group setting
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Enjoy active play, building, climbing, collecting, and exploring
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Thrive with educators who observe, listen, and support their individual interests
“From the moment our child started at Snails & Turkey Tails, we noticed a difference. They have so much freedom to explore, get messy, and follow whatever catches their attention. We love hearing about the little things they notice during their day. It’s wonderful to see how much joy and confidence can come from simply having the time and space to explore. Snails & Turkey Tails has become a place our child genuinely looks forward to being.”
— Parent of a 4-year-old