Dandelions

Toddler Enrichment

Our Toddler Enrichment Program is a gentle introduction to learning and community for children ages 18 months to 3 years, offered entirely outdoors in a nurturing, nature-rich environment.

Designed to support early development through play, exploration, and connection, this program invites toddlers to discover the world around them at their own pace. With guidance from caring teachers, children engage in sensory experiences, nature walks, songs, stories, and hands-on activities that encourage language, movement, social skills, and curiosity.

Rooted in seasonal rhythms and child-led discovery, each day includes plenty of time for free play, simple routines, and opportunities to build relationships—with the land, their peers, and themselves.

This enrichment program lays the foundation for future learning while honoring the magic of early childhood—muddy hands, wonder-filled eyes, and all.

Curriculum

Our toddler enrichment program is inspired by the gentle rhythms of the Treehouse Nature Study curriculum—designed to spark curiosity, connection, and joy in the very youngest learners. With a focus on seasonal themes and child-led discovery, toddlers explore the world around them through nature walks, hands-on activities, simple songs, stories, and art.

This approach encourages wonder and early learning in a calm, supportive setting where toddlers can engage their senses, build early language skills, and connect with nature at their own pace. Our program nurtures the whole child—mind, body, and heart—while laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning outdoors.

  • 9:00 AM – Arrival & Free Exploration

    • Warm welcome with gentle separation support

    • Open-ended nature play: digging, climbing, scooping, sensory bins, loose parts

    • Time for connection and observation

    9:30 AM – Morning Circle

    • Simple songs, movement, and fingerplays

    • Nature-based story, puppets, or visual prompts

    • Introduce the theme or focus of the day (e.g., bugs, mud, weather, sounds)

    10:00 AM – Morning Snack

    • Picnic-style snack with handwashing and social time

    • Teachers model routines and self-help skills

    10:30 AM – Curriculum-Based Exploration

    • Guided sensory-rich activity related to early literacy, math, or science

    • Examples:

      • Sorting leaves or rocks by size or color

      • Water pouring for fine motor skills

      • Listening for birds and mimicking sounds

      • Simple nature crafts or group songs

    11:15 AM – Outdoor Free Play

    • Child-led play in a safe, enclosed nature space

    • Opportunities for gross motor development, imagination, and social play

    • Teachers observe and gently guide interactions

    12:00 PM – Lunch

    • Group lunch in a shaded outdoor area

    • Practice of self-feeding, manners, and conversation

    • Routines around clean-up and preparation for rest

    12:30 PM – Rest & Quiet Time

    • Nap or quiet rest on mats, hammocks, or blankets

    • Calming music, books, or guided breathing

    • Adjusted based on individual needs (some may need a walk or quiet play)

    2:00 PM – Gentle Wake-Up & Afternoon Snack

    • Wake-up routine with cuddles, water, and calm transitions

    • Nourishing snack together at a slow pace

    2:30 PM – Nature Walk or Hands-On Project

    • Low-stimulation hike, water play, or discovery basket activity

    • Nature journaling (drawing or mark-making), group music, or movement games

    • Opportunities to revisit the day’s theme through curiosity

    3:15 PM – Closing Circle

    • Goodbye song or gratitude sharing

    • Gentle reflections: “What did you see today?” “What made you smile?”

    • Prepare for pickup with calm transition

    3:30 PM – Dismissal

    • Hugs, high-fives, and happy hearts ready to go home

  • Kindergarten–Second Grade Outdoor Program

    Our Kindergarten–Second Grade program offers an enriching, nature-immersive curriculum that supports academic and social development through outdoor experiential learning.

    • Monday–Thursday – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM: $650/month

    • Full-Time Option Available: Contact us for full-time rates and availability.

    Full-Time Programs (Monday–Friday)

    • 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM: $1,550/month

    • 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM: $1,650/month

    • 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM: $1,700/month

Your Teachers

  • Miss Sarah A.

    Lead Teacher

    Sarah Craft is the Lead Teacher with the Huckleberries class at Hidden Trails. Born in eastern Washington and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she’s called Enumclaw home for over 20 years.

    She joined Hidden Trails in October 2023 as one of the very first team members, when the school had just 10 students and a camp tent for nap time. Sarah holds an associate degree in human services and social work. She loves guiding children through social-emotional learning, helping them navigate big feelings with patience and care, and especially cherishes being outside in all weather. Sarah is mom to two young boys—Asher and Bodhi—with a third on the way this October. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, gardening, traveling, and making memories with her family.

  • Miss Ash

    Assistant Teacher

    Cassie Sobkowiak is a Teacher Assistant in K-2 at Hidden Trails, where she started just two weeks ago. Originally from Michigan, Cassie has been caring for others from a young age—as the oldest of three siblings, a Sunday school teacher in high school, and later as a live-in au pair in Italy in 2014. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Sustainability with a minor in Political Science from Northern Michigan University.

    Cassie loves the energy and spirit of the children at Hidden Trails, and one of her favorite daily moments is watching the pair of bald eagles that soar overhead. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Frank and Beans, and is passionate about outdoor adventures like snowboarding, whitewater rafting, foraging, hiking, and mountain biking.

  • Miss Brandie

    Substitute