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Why Wild Roots?

Learning in Nature

Wild Roots bases it’s practices on both the high-quality practices of early childhood education and environmental education. We use the natural world to support dual goals that address both child development as well as conservation values. Nature is both the classroom and a teacher, and learning happens almost exclusively outdoors.

Research suggests that nature enhances children’s development, including: 

  • Promoting social and emotional development
  • Enhancing communication skills
  • Improving academic performance
  • Providing mental health benefits
  • Promoting physical activity 

Conventional teaching methods fail to understand the nature and purpose of education. Children are not hollow vessels waiting to be shaped by a teacher but are unique human beings deserving of a holistic education that caters for all of their needs. Children learn through play and learn when they are allowed to move their bodies and focus on what interests them. At Wild Roots, children can show up fearlessly and unapologetically themselves. 

Our Pedagogical approach is a multi-faceted one that has been inspired by a variety of philosophers, early childhood educational theorists, and educators regarding how children develop and learn best: through play. Our flexible outdoor learning environment allows for an emergent curriculum, with teachers acting as guides, noticing each child’s observations and interests. Teachers are responsive to the needs and interests of each child, rather than following a rigid curriculum. 

We are committed to these principles:

  • Children learn through play: children develop the skills they need both for school and life through play
  • Children learn best when they are interested in what they are learning: our flexible outdoor environment allows teachers to be responsive to the interests of the children, freeing them to construct knowledge together 
  • Children are not hollow vessels waiting to be shaped by a teacher.
  • We hold space for the curious, the strong-willed, the expressive, and the free-spirited.
  • Nature is the best venue for play: nature is full of loose parts, inspires imaginative play, active play, and problem solving
  • Low teacher to child ratios: we always maintain a 1:6 ratio 
  • Emphasis on empowering children through positive guidance: we do not use reward systems or punishments 
  • Frequent, immersive experiences in nature in a variety of weather builds resilience. 
  • Children must spend time in nature in order to develop respect for all living things and a sense of environmental stewardship.
  • Today’s children will be tomorrow’s environmental stewards.

Our Goals

  • To help each child grow and learn through developmentally appropriate practices
  • To prepare each child to succeed both socially and academically
  • To foster a love for, and connection to, the natural world

The state of Colorado does not currently have a childcare license available for programs wishing to operate as an outdoor nature-based preschool. Wild Roots is not a licensed preschool and operates under CDEC’s single-skill exemption. To ensure compliance with the single-skill exemption, our curriculum is designed to focus on specific weekly single-skills related to a monthly theme, and we do not provide a nap time or mats for napping. 

Single-skill exemption is defined by CDEC as: A special school or class operated for a single skill-building purpose. A single-skill program includes the development of an individual skill which does not include naptime or overnight care.

For more information, you may contact the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, Child Care Licensing and Administration:

Email: cdhs_oec_eclchildcarelicensing@state.co.us 
Phone: 1-800-799-5876 or 303-866-5948 

  1. Fill out the Registration Application
  2. After we receive your registration application, you and your child will be invited to join us for a tour. During your tour you will get to see our Base Camp and various learning spaces, meet with the Director, learn about our child-led approach, ask any questions you have, and allow us to learn more about your family. 
  3. If it seems like Wild Roots will be a good fit for your family, and space is available, we will contact you about having a spot for your child. You will have 72 hours to confirm this spot. Upon confirmation, our administrative coordinator will charge the tuition deposit and registration fee in order to secure your child’s spot. If our class is already full, we will reach out to you about adding your child to our interest list at no charge, so that we can reach out to you should a spot open up. 

Full-Day, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
5 days/week (Monday - Friday): $1,640 monthly   
3 days/week (Mon/Wed/Fri): $1,095 monthly  
2 days/week (Tue/Th): $760 monthly  

  • A NON-REFUNDABLE tuition deposit of the first month’s tuition is due upon enrollment to secure your child’s spot at Wild Roots. 
  • A one-time NON-REFUNDABLE registration fee of $200 will be billed upon confirmed enrollment. 
  • A one-time start up kit fee of $75 will be billed upon confirmed enrollment. The start-up kit fee covers required materials provided by Wild Roots including an afternoon teatime kit, sit spot (rest time) ground blanket and materials, wet bag for soiled clothing, and nature journal. 
  • The remainder of tuition is due on the last Friday of each month for the upcoming month. 

Parents wishing to no longer enroll their child in Wild Roots should provide written notification via email to wildrootsnaturepreschool@hrcaonline.org You must include your full name, your child’s full name, and the date of their last day of enrollment. Full or partial refunds will not be made for tuition that you have already paid. Notification must be given at least 10 calendar days prior to the next charge (last Friday of the month) to avoid being charged for the upcoming month. 

CampInTouch is a secure network that we use to collect personal, medical, and emergency contact information electronically for Wild Roots Nature Preschool. Not only does CampInTouch streamline the paperwork process, but it also ensures we have a way to communicate with you in the event of an illness, injury, or larger scale emergency. 

How it works

  • You’ll receive a link in your registration email from HRCA that will direct you to the Application Form on CampInTouch
  • Enter your information to create a free account, or log in if you already have an existing account (note: CampInTouch accounts are separate from your HRCA account)
  • Select the session(s) that you registered your child for and submit the application. 
  • You will then be directed to your home page and will access the rest of the paperwork there. You can either continue in the CampInTouch browser or download and use the sister app called Campanion to finish the paperwork and upload forms. Campanion uses the same login information as CampInTouch. 
  • Enter the required information, like medical conditions, and any additional paperwork and press submit. 
  • CampInTouch will show you what forms need to be completed or if any are missing.

Contact wildrootsnaturepreschool@hrcaonline.org if you have any trouble or questions about completing your child’s paperwork on CampInTouch.

Before your child begins at Wild Roots, please be sure to download the Campanion app onto your phone from the App Store or Google Play. This will allow you to stay connected to your child’s experience at Wild Roots Nature Preschool with daily photos, notes from your child’s teacher and the directors, as well as notifications for delayed starts, early closures, or emergencies.

Monthly Single-Skills

  • August — Nature & Animals: relationships, investigations, habitats 
  • September — Beneath Our Feet: soil, sand, rocks, fossils 
  • October — All About Fall: acorns, fall leaves, pumpkins, nocturnal animals 
  • November — Autumn Harvest: gratitude for nature, apples, fire & cooking  
  • December — Welcome Winter: evergreen trees, shelters, winter solstice 
  • January — Winter Wildlife: active animals, hibernation, animal tracks & signs 
  • February — Winter Wonderland: snow, ice, freezing & melting 
  • March — Changing Seasons: birds, migration, nests & eggs 
  • April — Spring is Here: mud, insects, reptiles & amphibians, life cycles 
  • May — Growing Gardens: seeds, flowers & pollinators, fruits & vegetables, decomposers 
  • June — Summer Weather: clouds, rain, thunderstorms, sunlight & the summer solstice 
  • July — Water Wonders: ocean, rivers, lakes & ponds, sink or float 

2025-2026 School Year Calendar

  • First Day of the School Year: Monday, August 11, 2025
  • Closed for Labor Day: Monday, September 1, 2025
  • Closed for Thanksgiving Break: Wednesday, November 26 - Friday, November 28, 2025
  • Last Day of Fall Semester: Friday, December 19, 2025
  • Closed for Winter Break: Monday, December 22, 2025 - Friday, January 2, 2026
  • First Day of Spring Semester: Monday, January 5, 2026
  • Closed for MLK Day: Monday, January 19, 2026
  • Closed for Presidents Day: Monday, February 16, 2026
  • Closed for Spring Break: March 16-20, 2026
  • Closed for Memorial Day: Friday, May 22 - Monday, May 25, 2026
  • Closed for 4th of July: Friday, July 3, 2026
  • Last Day of the School Year: Friday, July 31, 2026

9:00-9:30 a.m. – Drop off & Play at Landing Pads

Upon arrival, families will prepare children for the day with toileting, sunscreen application, and layering up for the weather, then helping their child plug into play at our landing pads. Landing pads will rotate based on the weekly single-skill and may include things such as sensory tables full of science investigations, water table, mud kitchen, reading tent, art easel, building projects, or play in the fairy forest.  Then we say, “see you soon!” to our caregivers to start our days’ adventures.

9:40-9:50 a.m. – Gathering Circle

At the sound of the drumbeat echoing through the woods, we join together as a community to sing good morning songs, greet our friends, go over the weather, discuss expectations, and talk about the days’ rhythm.

9:50-10:20 a.m. – Snack & Storytime

We take a break to use the potty and wash hands, and head to our morning adventure spot where we fuel up on a snack (brought from home), and read stories related to the weekly single-skill.

10:20 a.m.-12 p.m. — Nature Immersion / Child-Led Play

Perhaps the most important of all, our child-led time spent in nature will look different each day. We set up our classroom with loose parts related to the weekly single-skill, and children get the opportunity to explore and relate with nature on their own terms and to have uninterrupted child-led play in nature. Social-emotional learning, imagination, creativity, and wonder take the reins, and the possibilities are purposefully endless. 

12:00-12:45 p.m. — Lunch

Children will have the opportunity for an unhurried lunch (brought from home) and time to talk and tell stories with friends.

12:45-1:45 p.m. — Sit Spots & Independent Play

An independent sit spot gives children a chance to rest their minds, still their bodies, and recharge for the afternoon. Depending on the weekly single-skill, children are offered sensory materials, art materials, books, or other independent play options. 

1:45-3:00 p.m. — Guided Activity 

After sit spots, we use the potty and then transition to our afternoon adventure. Our teachers lead a guided activity related to the weekly single skill, such as an art project, scavenger hunt, science experiment, gardening, or visiting the animals. On Wednesdays, families may opt for their child to participate in Young Musician’s Academy, a fun hands-on, interactive music class. 

3:00-3:30 p.m. — Afternoon Teatime

We drink tea, eat our afternoon snack (brought from home), sing songs to reflect on the day’s highlights, and to say goodbye to our friends. 

3:30-4:00 p.m. — Pickup & Play at Landing Pads

Children have the opportunity to revisit our landing pads, which vary based on the weekly single skill: act out a puppet show, swing in the hammock, dig in the construction zone, create in the mud kitchen, or splash in the water table. We rejoin our families with lots of stories to tell about our days’ adventures. 

Wild Roots

Half-Day Summer Camps

The summer-only class is offered in 2-week sessions, and runs from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. You are welcome to join us for one session or register for as many as you would like. Weekly-single skills will vary each session and offerings will build upon one another.

Register for the Summer of 2025 Beginning February 10th.

Our summer-only class for 2025 will operate in two-week units. You are welcome to join us for one session or register for as many as you would like. Weekly-single skills will vary each session and offerings will build upon one another.

Summer Session Dates:

  • June 2 - June 13
  • June 16 - June 27
  • July 7 - July 18
  • July 21 - August 1

10:00-10:15 a.m. — Drop off and Play at Landing Pads

Upon arrival, families will prepare children for the day with toileting, sunscreen application, and layering up for the weather, then helping their child plug into play at our landing pads. Landing pads will rotate based on the weekly single-skill and may include things such as sensory tables full of science investigations, water table, mud kitchen, or play in the fairy forest.  Then we say, “see you soon!” to our caregivers to start our days’ adventures.

10:20 a.m. — Gathering Circle

We join together as a community to sing good morning songs, greet our friends, go over the weather, discuss expectations, and talk about the days’ rhythm.

10:30 a.m. — Snack and Storytime

We fuel up on a snack (brought from home), and read stories related to the weekly single-skill, to set the tone for our day’s explorations.

10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Nature Immersion / Child-Led Play

Perhaps the most important of all, our child-led time spent in nature will look different each day. Children get the opportunity to explore and relate with nature on their own terms and to have uninterrupted child-led play in nature. The possibilities are purposefully endless.

12:30-12:50 p.m. — Lunch

Children will have the opportunity for an unhurried lunch (brought from home) and time to talk and tell stories with friends.

12:50-1:00 p.m. — Pickup & Head Home

We sing goodbye our friends as we await our caregivers for pickup. We rejoin our families with lost of stories to tell about our day’s adventures. Note: all children must be picked up promptly by 1:00 p.m. 

  1. Initial Questions? Email annakate.hein@hrcaonline.org 
  2. Register for one or more two-week session of our summer-only class.
  3. Fill out all required paperwork on Camp In Touch, to finish reserving your child’s spot. Click the link in the email you receive with your registration receipt to start paperwork. 

Half-Day, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.:  5 days/week (Monday - Friday): $585 for a two-week session  

Full payment for each two-week session is due at the time of enrollment.

Please note, there is a non-refundable 10% administrative fee that once enrolled, will not be refunded for any reason. See the cancellation policy below for more information.

Cancellations requested prior to April 1, will be granted a refund minus a non-refundable 10% administrative fee. The 10% administrative fee will not be refunded for any reason. 

Cancellations requested on or after April 1, and more than three weeks (21 days) of the session’s start date will be granted a 50% refund. 

Cancellations made within three weeks (21 days) of the session’s start will not be granted a refund for any reason. 

Transfer requests will be granted up to three weeks (21 days) prior to the start date of your registered session, pending availability. All transfers must be made to another Wild Roots summer session in 2025.

Parents wishing to cancel a child from must provide written notification via email to wildrootsnaturepreschool@hrcaonline.org. You must include your child’s full name, your child’s age, and the dates of the session you wish to cancel, and cancellation reason. 

Meet Our Team

AnnaKate Hein

Early Childhood Programs Manager View Bio

Christy Farrell

Teacher (Monday – Friday) View Bio

Jax Von Adler

Teacher (Monday – Friday) View Bio

Kathryn Worden

Substitute Teacher View Bio
About Wild Roots

Frequently Asked Questions

We are not preparing your child for kindergarten… Because this phrase comes with an expectation of academic, sit-down activities, memorizing, worksheets, and lots of teacher directed instruction. Neuroscience has proven that children learn through play. Our play-based program allows children to jump off of logs, splash in puddles, sing loudly, make up their own stories, mix the play doh together, roll in the mud, collect worms after it rains, paint their arms, scoop and pour sand everywhere, use as much glue as they want on their art project, run down hills, and BE A CHILD.

Wild Roots maintains a 1:6 ratio to allow for lots of individual attention and interaction

Wild Roots is located at our Backcountry Base Camp, which is nestled into our 8,200-acre conservation property right in the heart of the Front Range. Our address is 6005 Ron King Trail, Littleton CO 80125. Please ensure your directions take you via Santa Fe (Hwy-85), as this is the only access point.

Wild Roots operates Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We have an open-door policy for parents/guardians, but due to the exploratory nature of our program, we encourage you to drop-off between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. and pickup between 3:30 and 4:00 p.m. 

We offer three different registration options: Monday – Friday, Mon/Wed/Fri, and Tue/Th. 

Children ages 3-6 can attend Wild Roots. Children must be 3 before their start date. 

Yes, children must be fully toilet trained in order to attend. 

Wild Roots uses a platform called CampInTouch to collect all required forms. Upon registration, you will receive an invitation via email to create your account with CampInTouch. Once you have an account, please complete the necessary information to finish your child’s profile. Click the MY ACCOUNT MENU at the bottom right to complete the required forms. Once your account is created, download the Campanion app for easy access. 

All forms must be completed at least 10 days prior to your child’s start date. 

Reach out to wildrootsnaturepreschool@hrcaonline.org with any questions.

All meals must be brought from home. Parents should send their child a full lunch in addition to two healthy snacks and water each day. We have found children do best with bento-style boxes, to minimize the number of containers and wrappers they need opened. Children will wash hands or use hand sanitizer prior to meals.

For children, rainy and snowy days can be just as much fun as long as they are dressed appropriately! Wild Roots will engage in learning outdoors in all kinds of weather, so it is important to check the weather each morning and dress your child accordingly. We strongly recommend investing in a full rainsuit instead of a separate rain jacket and rain pants, and snow bibs instead of traditional snow pants. And keep in mind that if temperatures are cold, snow boots will keep feet much warmer than rain boots, even if all we are getting is rain. We ask that you send a full change of clothes each day inside a zippered wet bag. In the winter,  this should include extra gloves, socks, and hat. In case of an accident (toilet or weather related) we will put the dirty or wet clothing into the zippered wet bag.

We will follow the lead of the Douglas County School District in making decisions to close due to inclement weather. We will send out communications on weather delayed starts, early closures, or cancellations via text message and the Campanion App.

We have access to a permanent building located on our neighbor’s property, a short walk from our Base Camp. In the event of lightning or other severe weather, we will move indoors immediately. We may also move indoors for breaks throughout the day, as needed. Our general guidelines are to move indoors when temperatures drop below 20 degrees or rise above 95 degrees, but our teachers use their best judgement and take into account all weather factors including wind, humidity, sun & shade, and rain/snow. 

There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. -Alfred Wainwright

Appropriate clothing that keeps children protected from the elements is critical to their comfort and well-being. Clothing needs will vary based on the season, but generally, they will need: 

  • Rain pants/rain suit or snow pants/snowsuit 
  • Outer jacket: rain jacket or snow jacket 
  • Fleece jacket 
  • Waterproof boots or comfortable sneakers 
  • Waterproof mittens 
  • Sun hat or winter hat 
  • Multiple layer options
  • A full extra change of clothing inside a zippered wet bag (In case of an accident—toilet or weather related—we will put the dirty or wet clothing into the zippered wet bag)

Children will spend their day playing, running, jumping, skipping, hopping, climbing, digging, designing, building, observing, noticing, drawing, singing, dancing, reading stories, collaborating, and making friends. 

The program prioritizes child-led play over teacher-directed activities, and we think we strike the perfect balance between the two. We provide ample opportunity for uninterrupted child-led play, while still having the opportunity to participate in daily teacher-led activities related to the weekly single-skill. 

We encourage you to talk to the teachers at drop off and pickup each day about how your child’s morning is going and how their day was at Wild Roots. Parents will get a glimpse into each day through photo sharing and teacher notes on the Campanion app. 

Wild Roots is not a licensed preschool and operates under CDEC’s single-skill exemption. The state of Colorado does not currently have a childcare license available for programs wishing to operate as an outdoor nature-based preschool. To ensure compliance with the single-skill exemption, our curriculum is designed to focus on specific weekly single skills related to a monthly theme and does not offer a nap time or mats for napping. 

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