Little Meadow is a nature-based outdoor preschool in a small-group, family day-home setting located in Mechanicsville, Virginia. We prioritize an emergent curriculum through play-based exploration that follows the seasons and children’s natural curiosity. Our goal is to help children develop all of the skills needed to be ready for elementary school by infusing academics into authentic learning through a connection to the natural environment.
What We Offer
Now or Later?
Half-Day Preschool
$35/ half day
- 8:30 am – 11:30 am
- Ages 2.5 to 5
- Nature-based invitations to play
- Story, crafts and games on seasonal topics
- Snack provided
Twos for Tuesday
$20/ 2 hours
- 9:00 am – 11:00 am on Tuesdays
- Ages 2 to 3
- Nature-based invitations to play
- Story, crafts and games on seasonal topics
- Snack provided
- Potty training not required
Forest Fridays
$40/ session *
- 9:00 am – 12:00 pm on Fridays
- Ages 2.5 to 5
- Meets at local parks
- Story, crafts and games on seasonal topics
- Snack provided
* $150 / month or $400 / 3 months
Half-Day Preschool
$35/ half day
- Tuesday / Thursday
- 8:30 am – 11:30 am
- Ages 2.5 to 5
- Nature-based invitations to play
- Story, crafts and games on seasonal topics
- Snack provided
Full-Day Preschool
$80/ full day
- Monday / Wednesday
- 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Ages 2.5 to 5
- Morning Preschool program
- Additional time for exploration and play
- Two provided snacks; lunch brought from home
Forest Fridays
$40/ session *
- 9:00 am – 12:00 pm on Fridays
- Ages 2.5 to 5
- Meets at local parks
- Story, crafts and games on seasonal topics
- Snack provided
* $150 / month or $400 / 3 months
Why Choose Us?
Why choose us over other options?
Learning in the context of outdoor play
Low teacher-student ratio
Only pay for scheduled days of care
VA-licensed pre-k to 6th grade teacher with environmental education training (learn more)
Voluntarily-registered family day home (learn more)
About the Location
We have a small one-acre home in Mechanicsville with just the right amount of nature for young children to safely explore.
We have a climate-controlled classroom nestled among the yard, the meadow, and the woods creating a cozy place for rest, reading and gathering together.
Our meadow has native plantings to increase the biodiversity and provide ample opportunity for children to learn about identifying flowers, insects, and other small critters. Our bird houses and feeders attract a wide range of local birds providing opportunities for closer observation.
We maintain raised garden beds in the yard to help students learn about planting and harvesting throughout the growing season.
The woods have a cleared area for play in the shade. An outdoor mud kitchen, sandbox and variety of loose parts allow for plenty of imaginative play. A short series of trails through the meadow and woods are perfect for whenever adventure inspires us.
[Please note: we do have a small dog (peekapoo). He’s hypoallergenic, old, slow, and very good with children.]
About the Teacher
Hello! I’m Allison, a mom of two boys who grew up outside.
My childhood was spent playing in the creek and riding horses. As a child of a mom who worked at a nature center, I spent days off school birding, identifying wildflowers, and enjoying the many wonders of nature.
My husband and I hope to inspire the same love of nature and adventurous spirit in our two sons, Oliver and Evarit. As a family, we enjoy camping, hiking, and kayaking, and much of our time at home is spent outdoors. We love splashing in puddles, digging for roly-polies, and discovering the many uses for sticks!
For the past 10 years, I have enjoyed my time bringing the wonders of nature into my classroom as a licensed public elementary school teacher. I’ve enjoyed raising monarch caterpillars, helping oversee the school gardens, and taking my students on hikes as a way to teach grade-level expectations.
I’m excited to return to my passion for nature preschools to be a part of kiddos’ journeys to become lifelong learners by building their confidence and creating a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world around them. With my thorough understanding of the skills needed for elementary school, I’m able to gently guide our littlest learners to develop these skills as they are presented in their natural play.
Get in Touch!
We’d love to hear from you! Please use this form or the contact options below to get in touch with your questions or interest.
Email:
Phone/Text: 804-569-5938