Welcome To Snails & Turkey Tails Nature School

 

At Snails & Turkey Tails, we believe childhood is meant to be lived outdoors.

Nature School is a small, relationship-based learning community where children spend their Fridays exploring, creating, building, wondering, and playing together in the natural world.

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Rather than following a predetermined curriculum, we follow the questions, ideas, and discoveries that emerge from the children and the seasons. A fallen branch, an insect, a bird overhead, a collection of leaves, or something found along the trail can become the beginning of a day—or a much longer investigation.

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Inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia and the rhythms of the natural world, we believe children learn best when they are trusted with time, given meaningful responsibilities, and invited to wonder.

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Our days unfold slowly. Children have time to build friendships, solve problems together, use real tools, create with natural materials, take supported risks, and develop confidence through hands-on experiences.

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Nature School is not about rushing from one activity to the next. It is about noticing what is around us, following children's interests, and giving them the freedom to explore deeply.

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Children might spend the morning collecting and sorting natural materials, building a shelter, sawing a branch, sketching a discovery, searching for insects, creating nature-based art, listening for birds, climbing and balancing, or simply getting lost in imaginative play.

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With a small group, a caring educator, and long stretches of uninterrupted time outdoors, children develop independence, creativity, resilience, and a deep sense of belonging—to each other and to the natural world.

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We believe that when children are given the freedom to explore, the time to wonder, and a community that truly sees them, learning happens naturally.

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What Children Experience

• Exploring and observing the natural world

• Following seasonal discoveries and children's questions

• Nature-based art and creative expression

• Tool use and hands-on skill building

• Building, collecting, designing, and creating with natural materials

• Storytelling, songs, and imaginative play

• Scientific observation and documentation

• Climbing, balancing, hiking, and supported risk-taking

• Loose-parts and open-ended outdoor play

• Caring for our outdoor classroom and one another

• Developing independence through meaningful responsibilities

 

Our Approach

Child-Led Inquiry

We believe children are capable researchers, creators, and problem-solvers. Teachers observe, listen, and create invitations that extend children's thinking rather than directing every moment of the day.

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The Outdoors as Our Classroom

Nature provides endless opportunities for investigation, creativity, movement, and connection. We use the changing seasons and the discoveries around us as an ever-evolving curriculum.

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Learning Through Relationships

A small community gives children the time and space to develop meaningful friendships, practice cooperation, and grow in confidence and independence.

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The Hundred Languages

Children communicate their ideas in countless ways—through drawing, building, movement, storytelling, collecting, designing, experimenting, and exploring.

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A Typical Friday

9:00 — Arrival & Gathering
Children arrive, connect with friends, and settle into the morning.

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9:15 — Nature Exploration & Open-Ended Play
We head out to explore, observe, investigate, build, climb, collect, and follow the children's interests.

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11:30 — Lunch & Community Time
Children eat together, share stories, and talk about the morning's discoveries.

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12:00 — Atelier & Project Time
Art, building, tool work, nature collections, storytelling, or continued exploration inspired by the day's discoveries.

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12:45 — Reflection & Closing
We gather together, share what we noticed and experienced, and prepare for home.

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1:00 — Pick Up

Our schedule is intentionally flexible. Some days may call for a long exploration, while others may unfold around a fascinating discovery or a project the children are eager to continue.

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Why a Small Outdoor Program?

In a small setting, children have the time and space to form strong relationships, follow their curiosity, and develop confidence at their own pace.

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A small group also allows teachers to truly know each child—to notice their interests, support their growing independence, and provide just the right amount of challenge.

We believe meaningful learning happens through connection, not through rushing from activity to activity.

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Tuition & Enrollment

Nature School is offered as a semester-based program, giving children the consistency and connection they need to build relationships, become comfortable in the group, and engage in meaningful investigations over time.

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Schedule

Fridays
9:00 AM–1:00 PM

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Location

San Anselmo, California

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Ages

3–4 years

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Enrollment

Fall and Spring semester enrollment

6 children maximum

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Tuition

$1,500 per 12-week semester

Payment plans available: $500/month for 3 months.

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Tuition includes:

• One four-hour outdoor learning day each week

• All art materials, natural materials, and project supplies

• Thoughtfully prepared invitations for exploration and discovery

• Seasonal investigations and nature-based experiences

• Hands-on tool and skill-building opportunities

• Small-group learning with an experienced early childhood educator

• Additional teaching support as needed based on enrollment

 

Registration Process

Families interested in joining Nature School are invited to complete an application. ​After reviewing your application, we will contact you to schedule a brief intake call to learn more about your child and answer any questions about the program.

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If Nature School feels like the right fit for your family, a non-refundable enrollment deposit is required to reserve your child's place. Because enrollment is intentionally limited, the deposit secures your child's space and allows us to thoughtfully prepare for the upcoming semester.

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Enrollment is confirmed once all registration forms have been completed, the enrollment deposit has been received, and tuition arrangements have been finalized.

 

Mid-Year Enrollment

Nature School welcomes new families throughout the school year as space allows. Mid-year enrollment is considered on a case-by-case basis, with thoughtful attention given to each child's transition and the dynamics of our small learning community.