Outdoor Preschool

  • Three children walking on a dirt patch in a park, wearing colorful capes, with a city skyline, including the Space Needle, in the background.

    Open Enrollment: 2026-2027 School Year

    Dates: September 2026 – June 2027
    Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
    Ages: 2.5-5
    Location: Beacon Food Forest and Jefferson Park
    Cost: See our Fees page to learn about our monthly plans

Adventure Spots

  • Group of young children walking on a narrow trail through a green, leafy outdoor area, all wearing bright yellow safety vests.

    Beacon Food Forest

  • Child holding a blue bucket filled with muddy water, using a wooden stick to stir, outdoors on a muddy ground with small plants and stones.

    Jefferson Park

Daily Rhythm

9:00–9:15 AM – Drop-Off

9:15–10:00 AM – Discovery time

10:00–10:30 AM – Seedling Gathering and Snack

10:30–11:00 AM – Potty Break and Lunch

11:00 AM–12:00 PM – Nature workshop

12:00–12:45 PM –Discovery time

12:45 PM -1:00 PM – Seedling Send-Off

1:00 PM – Pick-up

Program Philosophy

At Sunflower Seedlings Preschool, we believe childhood should be filled with muddy boots and minds alive with questions.

Children learn through hands-on play by splashing through puddles, turning sticks into inventions, studying beetles up close, and asking “why?” again and again. Our role is not to rush childhood, but to protect it and guide it.

We believe learning happens when children feel safe, seen, and heard.

We move slowly. We notice small things. We build real community.

Intentionally Small

Sunflower Seedlings is intentionally small and solo-run, so every child is appreciated and encouraged to be themselves. This includes all their questions, their quirks, and their favorite stick.

We’re prioritizing five-day enrollment so children move through the full week together. That consistency helps create strong bonds, projects grow roots, and our little community feel steady and strong.

In a tiny outdoor program like ours, consistency is what makes the magic work.

We aim to keep our ratio at 1 teacher to 5 children.

In our muddy, log-climbing, puddle-splashing days, that small circle matters. It allows for steady supervision, safer risk-taking, and calm, supported transitions throughout the day.

What makes Sunflower Seedlings more than just a preschool?

  • Children wearing yellow safety vests walking up stone steps in a garden on a sunny day with blue sky and clouds.

    Outdoor Learning

    Our classroom lives among trees, gardens, and paths at Jefferson Park and Beacon Food Forest. Children explore real ecosystems, building comfort with nature and curiosity about the world.

    We follow a seasonal approach, with flexible monthly themes based on children’s interests and what’s happening around them. This keeps learning relevant and helps children build observation skills.

  • A woman and two young girls examining soil and roots in a muddy outdoor area near a tree, with some gardening tools nearby.

    Nature Play

    Nature isn’t just a backdrop—it’s our curriculum. From counting pinecones to finding worms, children meet early learning goals through exploration, creativity, and teamwork. Our program places a strong focus on open-ended sensory play, inviting children to learn through touch, movement, and hands-on discovery.

  • Young child with messy brown hair wearing a yellow raincoat and blue rain boots, sitting on a multicolored blanket outdoors, examining purple paint on her hands.

    Artistic Self Expression

    Children drum on logs, stretch under maple trees, and sketch discoveries in their nature journals. We also offer real instruments and music from around the world, encouraging children to sing, move, and express themselves throughout the day.

    Art is open-ended and inspired by the child’s interests. Through painting, drawing, and mixed media, children explore their creativity and build motor skills.

  • A child in a blue jacket and a yellow vest watering plants in a garden with a garden hose.

    Mindfulness & Environmental Stewardship

    From gardening to listening circles, students practice gratitude, empathy, and environmental responsibility—habits that extend well beyond preschool. We place a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning, helping children develop kindness, compassion, and care for one another.

  • Children sitting in a circle on grass, reading colorful picture books outdoors.

    Books & Storytelling

    Storytime is a daily ritual of comfort. Whether under a tree or on a picnic blanket, we bring stories to life through expressive reading, puppet shows, and child-led storytelling.

    Each month, we offer a curated book selection tied to our monthly learning focus—exploring nature, emotions, and diverse cultures. We also support children’s own storytelling through art, journaling, and play, offering gentle prompts to spark ideas without steering their imagination.

  • Person in a yellow safety vest holding blueberries and a green berry in the outdoors.

    Hands-On Learning

    Children learn by doing. Whether they’re digging in the soil, building with sticks and stones, mixing natural paints, or exploring textures in our mud kitchen, hands-on activities are at the heart of every day.

    Through tactile exploration and active engagement, children develop problem-solving skills, motor coordination, and a love for learning.