My 3 year old daughter has had a very good experience at Little Earthlings forest school. When she started forest school 7+ months ago, she was not in a good place, feeling like she simply hates "school." Previously, she attended a more traditional preschool that strictly enforced structure--the timing of all activities were laid out by the minute, two hour nap periods enforced regardless of child's need to sleep, teacher-centered pedagogy, disrespectful verbal discipline--and my daughter learned that she could not feel good at school. Little Earthlings has changed that for her. Now she says, "I like school!" with a big smile. David and Beeta really know how to connect with young children and make them feel like they matter. The school does not push too much structure too early (which causes negative early experience and subsequent resistance to schooling). There is plenty of opportunity for children to learn about nature directly, exercise their physical abilities, have fun through natural play, and learn the social/emotional skills so important at this age. All in an developmentally appropriate and supported way. And, maybe most importantly, the teachers make themselves available to parents to discuss their children's progress. The open communication I've received at this forest school stands in complete contrast to what I'd gotten previously. I'd recommend Little Earthlings to any parent who might be interested in exploring a child-first nature-based preschool led by experienced and caring outdoor teachers.

We LOVE Little Earthlings! The teachers were tireless in their thoughtful and loving care for our 4yo, and she blossomed with all of the stimulations and confidence-building challenges of exploring the outdoors. In addition to being sensitive child-development experts, David and his team are keen naturalists, and our whole family benefited from learning from them, and being a part of a really wonderful parent community. Thank you, Little Earthlings!!

Our expectations for our daughter's first preschool experience were exceeded in every category and we are forever grateful for Teacher David's impact on her as well as on us as parents. If you are the type of parent who is into respectful parenting/gentle parenting (Janet Lansbury or Dr. Becky's Good Inside, for example), this is where you want to send your kids. Our daughter has blossomed into a kid who is confident, grounded, resilient, and emotionally and socially aware. I am still trying to convince Teacher David to start his own podcast because he has been an extraordinary resource for us as new parents. We are forever grateful to him for helping us to become better parents and to foster a strong, deeply connected relationship with our daughter. There is something magical that happens in the forest where there are no walls, no toys, just the open sky and their fellow classmates, that results in children who are deeply connected to others and themselves. Children learn to manage frustration, setback, how to challenge themselves, how to relate to others, how to self-advocate...all in a loving and supportive environment. David has advanced degrees in child development (which is unique for a preschool program) and our daughter got personalized attention every single day. Will they get cute art sent home? Or get drilled on their ABCs? No, because those are things that look good to parents, but aren't developmentally what kids at this age need. The toddler years are difficult, but Teacher David has guided us every step of the way, helping us to understand each developmental stage our daughter is in. He always says, "all behavior is communication" which is one of many things he's taught us that's transformed how we parent. He has helped us to understand and respond to our toddler's baffling (and rattling) behavior so we can respond in a developmentally appropriate way that helps her, helps the behavior pass, and strengthens our bond. Thanks to David's school, there is a whole generation of children now in San Francisco whose autonomy has been respected from day one, who can name and voice their emotions, and whose first school experience has been one focused on resilience and interpersonal skills. I get chills to think of what these kids will be able to accomplish professionally and personally thanks to this amazing start they've gotten in life. Little Earthlings graduates are just different--they are masters of their own destiny, innovators, resilient, respectful of themselves and others, and empathetic. No matter what kind of academic path our daughter chooses, we are confident that this first school experience at Little Earthlings will enable her success. Without question, we will be sending our son to Little Earthlings once he turns three, and will also continue to consult with David throughout both our children's academic career.

Our 4 year old was a Little Earthling for 1 wonderful year with David and his team of wonderful teachers. It was a special time full of growth and adventure. Our kiddo thrived in their loving and thoughtful care learning so many new skills (plants, animals, observing the wild places around him) and friendships. It is truly a special little community. A beautiful foundation of confidence and learning of themselves and the spaces around them - we love you Little Earthlings!!