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Mary G.
"This is far and away my kids' favorite place to be! I have a 4 year old girl who hated dirt prior to spending time with Ms. Viktorya and Ms. Lydia - now her favorite activity is finding tiny bugs. She's messy in all the best ways!
My son has always loved the outdoors and his love has been so fed and nourished with foraging activities and free time outside with such knowledgable guides. Can't say enough! So grateful!"
Saana K.
"I was hesitant about sending my son to school but I couldn't be more pleased with our experience at Gentle Roots. Lydia & Viktorya are compassionate, knowledgable and truly dedicated to creating a supportive environment for the kiddos.
I love hearing about my son's day from him and from the photos Lydia sends me throughout the morning. They have the best day flourishing in nature and ending it with some herbal tea & story time!"
Liza P.
"The teachers, Ms. Viktorya and Ms. Lydia are beautiful people. They care for the kids at all levels, emotionally, physically, and mentally. My son feels welcome and loved here. His childhood is better because he goes to this nature school!"
Program Info
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Program Dates: September 2 - May 30
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Ages: 3 -12 (must be at least 3 years old by their first day). Potty trained, with no history of elopement.
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Days: Tuesday - Saturday
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Times: 9am - 1pm
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Locations: Local Houston parks (inside the loop). Addresses will be given at enrollment.
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Group Size: Maximum 10 kids per day
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Mentor to Child Ratio: 1:5
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Registration Fee: $50 (non-refundable)
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Price Per Day: $60
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Discounts:
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One Month Enrollment: 10%, * 2+ days/week
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One Semester Enrollment: 15%, * 1+ days/week
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Sibling Discount: 25%
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Holiday Breaks:
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Thanksgiving Day - November 27
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Winter Break - December 22 - 26
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Developing Roots
At Gentle Roots Forest School, we focus on wholistic child development - body, mind and soul. Here are child development aspects we focus on and things we work on to develop those focus areas.
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Social Skills - Communication skills, working as a team, managing emotions in healthy ways, emphasizing community
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Emotional Intelligence - Imaginative play, storytelling, creative expression, emotional regulation, self-awareness
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Cognitive Development - Hands-on activities, real-life experiences, critical thinking, problem-solving
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Physical Development - Active, risky play, spatial awareness, coordination, gross and fine motor skills
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Spiritual Development - Connection to nature, ethical values, artistic activities, learning about our environment and our place in it
How We Develop Roots GENTLY
We are committed to nurturing your children and keeping them safe during their outdoor adventures. Here are some things we do that ensure just that.
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We start small, giving them time to get comfortable in their space, observe closely to get to know their limits, capabilities and build trust with them.
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We respect their autonomy, only give natural consequences, and never set rules without giving them reasons.
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We set our clear, non-negotiable rules from the very beginning, hold boundaries and reinforce them repeatedly.
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"We are here to keep you safe, so you need to help us do that." I.e. staying where they are visible at all times, trusting their bodies, knowing their limits and not climbing too high, not jumping from too high, etc.
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"I need to make sure you keep your friends safe." I.e. paying attention to their surroundings when holding long sticks or throwing things, respecting their friends words when told no, etc.
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Our Daily Routine
We will provide a vague structure for the sake of having a routine but will always be open to going with the flow and honoring what the children are interested in.
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Morning play time and exploration
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Story time
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Nature walk/learning about plants and animals we encounter
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Snack time
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Activity/more play
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Tea time and relaxation
The structure will be tweaked based on the kids’ interests. If they are really focused on a game or a project they're working on, we are not going to interrupt them simply because it’s story time.
Above all, the goal is to be outside, connect with nature and peers, and grow with guidance.
Who Will Guide Your Children
Being a new and small business run by two women deeply passionate about the purpose of Gentle Roots Forest School, our founders, Viktorya and Lydia, are also our mentors for the children.
Get to know them through reading their stories in the About section of our website and/or attending one of our free Community Events.
Both Viktorya and Lydia are First Aid Certified, Background Checked and are experienced with various age groups of children.
Who Could Our Program Be a Good Fit For
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Homeschool families
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Stay at home parents
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Work from home parents
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Parents needing a day out
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Parents seeking childcare for daycare/school closures
Bad Weather Days
We will be outdoors rain or shine. But with unsafe weather, like thunderstorms, extreme heat or cold, we would not be able to safely be outdoors. These decisions will made made on a case by case basis and will be finalized on the day of, before 7:30am.
To provide you with consistent and reliable childcare, on Bad Weather Days, we will have Indoor Days at our founder and mentor Ms. Lydia's home in The Heights. Details will be communicated to all those enrolled on the day of bad weather.
Bad Weather Days can be skipped if desired and made up on other days.
What To Bring
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A change of weather appropriate clothes, underwear and socks included
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A big snack or lunch
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A full water bottle
What We Will Bring
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Tarp
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Kid potty, wipes and a privacy tent
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Water and soap
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First Aid Kit
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Nature themed books
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Minimal supplies for fun, like buckets and shovels, paper and watercolor and such
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Tea and teacups
Ready To Join Us?
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