We have two covered outdoor areas for learning activities to occur in as well as 4.5 forested acres with two year-round creeks.  Coming in Spring 2026, we will also be adding a 23' greenhouse dome which will allow for increased farm to table opportunities as well as another warm outdoor area to explore! The main yard includes a  swing set, children’s garden, construction area, and mud kitchen. As a nature inspired program children will be learning outside for 50% or more of their school day. We believe that children of all ages need time to learn and explore outside everyday, rain or shine. Each day children are expected to come dressed for the weather and ready to head out to play, believing in the wisdom of explorer Ranulph Finnes, who said “There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing”.

Multi-age learning supports child development by creating an environment where children of various ages can learn from each other.  Older children develop leadership and teaching skills as they guide younger peers, while younger children gain confidence by observing and interacting with older role models.  This approach encourages empathy, cooperation, and a sense of community.  Additionally it allows children to progress at their own pace and helps to promote a love of learning.  Teaching children for longer periods of time also strengthens relationships between families and the teachers helping to develop a strong connection between home and the classroom. This continuity creates a partnership built on mutual respect and shared goals, leading to improved communication and a stronger support system for the student. 

We use a phonics-based learning approach that focuses on teaching children the relationship between sounds and letters to support early reading development. Literacy is woven into our daily routine through natural experiences in the forest, morning circle, story time, and hands-on activities. We practice early literacy skills each day using the Heggerty curriculum. As students demonstrate readiness for reading, we also incorporate the All About Reading program for more structured instruction. 

We love all forms of art and encourage creative expression at Creek Kids. We provide an endless array of art and craft supplies and encourage the recycling and upcycling of materials. Children are allowed the complete freedom to create their own masterpieces. 

STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  Below are some ways STEM exploration happens at Creek kids.

• Science: Children will learn about sensory systems, their body, magnets, gravity, friction, force, states of matter, geography, and animal science. 

• Technology: Children will learn about simple machines, building and taking apart, and learning to use simple tools to complete jobs

• Engineering: Children will make and execute plans to solve problems, examine small details, looking at parts to a whole, combining things to make something new, building structures and paths

• Mathematics: Children will learn to classify, organize, measure and make predictions. 

Math in nature offers children a meaningful and engaging way to explore early math concepts through hands-on experiences. By connecting learning to the world around them, children naturally develop skills such as counting, patterns, shapes, and measurement.

In addition to these organic learning opportunities, we incorporate activities inspired by the Wild Math curriculum. As children are ready, we also introduce RightStart™ Math to provide more structured support and deepen their mathematical understanding.

Learning to write is a developmental process, and we honor each child’s unique timeline. We support writing readiness by strengthening fine motor skills, offering frequent opportunities to build coordination, control, and hand strength.

As children show readiness, we introduce letter formation through a multisensory approach inspired by the Learning Without Tears curriculum. We celebrate every stage of writing—from early mark-making to forming words—and nurture each child’s identity and confidence as a writer.