FAQ — Wild Sprouts Nature School

Question 1

What exactly is a nature school?

Accepted Answer

It's school — just outside. Instead of a traditional classroom, children spend their mornings exploring natural spaces: trails, meadows, gardens, and creeks. Teachers are there to guide, support, and wonder alongside them. Learning happens through play, discovery, and real experience in the living world.

Question 2

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

Wild Sprouts is based in San Diego, CA. We take full advantage of the region's beautiful landscapes and mild climate — which means we're outside in every season.

Question 3

Is Wild Sprouts a new school?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we're just getting started, and we couldn't be more excited about it. We're currently enrolling our founding families — the ones who will help shape the spirit of this place from day one. There's something really special about being first.

Question 4

What are your hours?

Accepted Answer

All programs run Monday through Friday, 9:30am–1:30pm. Our school year runs September through June, with summer sessions available for enrolled families.

Question 5

Can we enroll part-time?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Families can enroll for as few as one day a week up to five days. We'll work with you to find a schedule that fits your family's life.

Question 6

What does a typical morning look like?

Accepted Answer

Children arrive and ease into free exploration. We gather for morning circle, then head out — hiking, creek play, gardening, building, or simply wandering. Midday brings a shared snack, and the afternoon winds down with stories before pickup. Every day has a rhythm, but no two days are the same.

Question 7

What is your student-to-teacher ratio?

Accepted Answer

For our youngest learners, we keep a 1:4 ratio. Across all programs, we never exceed 1:6. We are small by design — and we intend to keep it that way. Keeping our groups small is a deliberate choice, and the only way to maintain the kind of attentive, thoughtful supervision that outdoor learning requires.

Question 8

How do you handle safety outdoors?

Accepted Answer

Every teacher carries a first aid kit and a cell phone at all times. All staff hold current pediatric first aid and CPR certification. We do a thorough site check before children arrive each day and have clear emergency protocols in place for every location we use.

Question 9

What about rain or cold weather?

Accepted Answer

We go out in it. Mud, rain, and wind are part of the experience — and honestly, some of the best days happen in the rain. We ask families to send children in weather-appropriate layers every day. We'll only stay in for truly extreme or unsafe conditions, and we'll always communicate with families if that happens.

Question 10

Is outdoor play actually safe?

Accepted Answer

We believe children need the freedom to take real, age-appropriate risks — to climb, dig, get wet, and test themselves. That kind of challenge builds confidence and resilience in ways that sanitized environments simply can't. Our teachers are trained to support adventurous play thoughtfully, not to eliminate it.

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