Yes! Children are incredible and so very able. We take our time, slow everything down, and hold space for the children to gently test their limits and learn their strengths.

Check out this study from 2018 that demonstrated that children who attend outdoor preschools are no more likely to get sick or injured than those who attend indoor programs.

At this time, Kettle and Crow offers preschool and kindergarten to children ages 3-6 years old. We hope to expand in the future. If you have a child outside that range, feel free to reach out and we will keep you in the loop!

For the most part, yes. Our biggest concern in Southern Oregon is smoke. We do have a backup location in Ashland's Quiet Village in case we need to hunker down indoors.

Then we jump in puddles!

Dancing in the rain with your friends, huddled in a cozy shelter sipping warm tea while watching the snow fall - what beautiful memories our kids are building! As long as everyone is dressed properly (we’ll help you figure this part out!), rainy days are often some of the most fun days.

Remember, “there is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”

We’ll provide you with a detailed gear list. We’ve also arranged with a few trusted companies to get bulk discounts for our little group, and we’re working on building up our gear library.

In general, you can expect that your kids will need:

• Food

• Water

• Closed-toed shoes that can handle mud

• Long, lightweight pants

• Sun protection

• Wet gear - rain jacket, pants, and boots

• Warm silk or woolen layers

• Spare change of clothes

Outfitting kids can be stressful and expensive; just know we're big thrifters and re-purposers, and we'll absolutely help you figure it out!

So much of what we do with our kindergarteners is in preparation for this next step. We work rhythmically - giving children the chance to run and explore and find joy in unfettered learning before slowing down, coming together, and learning to work within the boundaries of their community. It is so much easier to sit quietly and listen when your energy-release needs have been met!

Want more info on the benefits of moving schools outside? The Natural Learning Initiative put together this great info sheet. And check out this study that suggests Outdoor Education improves test scores!

We can promise you this; we will never stop working and learning and doing our damnedest to be there for your child. As kids who struggled ourselves, it is a profound passion of ours to be able to meet children where they are and provide a safe space for them to come into their body and their community. All of our staff are trained in Trauma-Informed Care, and we will work closely with families to do what we can to accommodate each child.

Sebastiano Santostefano, director of the Institute for Child and Adolescent Development’s Therapeutic Garden (Wellesley, MA) ‘explained his view that nature has power to shape the psyche, and that it can play a significant role in helping traumatized children. He found that playing outdoors, whether along a river or in an alleyway, “is how a kid works through issues.” “We have a small hill, a mound—and for one kid at a certain point in therapy it was a grave; for another, it was the belly of a pregnant woman,” he said. “The point is obvious: children interpret and give meaning to a piece of landscape, and the same piece can be interpreted differently. Usually, if you [use] traditional puppets and games, there are limits. A policeman puppet is usually a policeman; a kid rarely makes it something else. But with landscape, it’s much more engaging, and you’re giving the child ways of expressing what’s within.” from Last Child in the Woods; Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder

Absolutely! First, we understand that there’s a lot to consider when choosing where to send your child. Please know that we think hard about our pricing and are sensitive to the needs of our families. Your tuition goes towards payroll, liability insurance, our scholarship fund, and miscellaneous program costs, such as our online portal.

Our teachers are highly qualified, experienced, and held to high professional standards; they are paid fair living wages for their considerable work. We factor in continuing education so that we may stay up to date and best be able to serve. Additionally, we work hard to not only ensure that your children are being well-cared for but that the experience is beneficial for the entire family, which includes always having a substitute teacher available to minimize school closures and arranging parent education and enhancement evenings.

A portion of each fully paid tuition is reserved to help provide financial assistance to a friend in need.