Outdoor Preschool
Registration Is Now Open For 2026 Summer Programs
What is Nature School?
Nature school, or Forest School, is an early childhood education completely based in the outdoors. The curriculum is emergent and inspired by the curiosity and interest of the child, while being centered in nature. Children are encouraged to explore, take risks and create a lifelong love of learning alongside the gentle and nurturing hands of the teachers.
Sweet Mountaintop Nature Preschool Program is focused on the growth and development of the child as a whole, and offers support through this journey with play and exploration. Through our program, children develop a strong sense of self, sense of community and a love for the natural world around them. With these connections, we foster the growth of independence, resilience and confidence- the pillars of a compassionate and curious lifelong learner. Our program is for kids ages 2.5 - 5 years old.
Location
Sweet Mountaintop Farm is located just outside of Carpinteria, CA on Rincon Mountain. The property is family owned and operated as a working everlasting flower/medicinal herb farm. The property is home to Mary Gonzalez, Rob Peed, and their son Orion- as well as dogs, chickens, goats and a variety of native plants and animals.
Gentle Daily Rhythm
9 AM: Morning greetings & garden exploration
9:45 AM: Morning Mindfulness and tea
9:50 AM: Circle time
10 AM: Snack time (we provide a snack each day)
10:15 AM: Garden exploration
11 AM: Arts & crafts
12 PM: Story time & lunch
12:15 PM: Garden exploration
12:45 PM: Goodbye circle
1 PM: Departures
(*1PM-4PM Aftercare optional)
Fall Session 2026
August 24, 2026 to December 18, 2026
(excluding September 7, November 23-27)
Monday - Friday
9am-1pm
(after care option 1-4pm)
Price per session:
2 days per week - $2,400
3 days per week - $3,390
4 days per week - $4,220
5 days per week - $4,930
Daily snacks and all materials for crafts and activities are included in tuition price
Licensing and Accreditation
This is not a licensed or accredited preschool, as existing regulations only apply to indoor childcare facilities. Our Nature Preschool is thus a “program” and not a “school”. Forest/Nature schools now have a path to accreditation in Washington State, California does not yet have institutional oversight of outdoor education programs.
Sweet Mountaintop Nature Preschool has highly experienced and qualified instructors and clearly defined best practice standards in the field of nature based early childhood education and social emotional development.
How to Register
If you are interested in enrolling for Sweet Mountaintop Nature School please click on the link below to fill out our registration form.
If you have any questions please feel free to reach out - smtnatureschool@gmail.com
Meet our Instructors
Emma Leach
Lead Instructor
"I am a Lompoc native, now residing in the mountains outside of Carpinteria. I am a passionate naturalist and educator with a long-standing background in a variety of childcare settings. I have found my calling working with the preschool age in my time as a lead teacher, specifically with ages 2-5. I firmly believe that children are strong, capable and bright members of our society and should be respectfully treated as such. My philosophy is that now more than ever, immersion in nature encourages children to connect more deeply with themselves, their communities and the way in which they move along the earth. With warm and loving guidance, this type of learning fosters incredible growth at such a crucial developmental period and can support a lifetime of learning. My philosophies align with that of the Waldorf and Forest school ways of learning- as developed in my time as a Forest School teacher. By working with each individual child to meet them where they are at and address their individual interests, needs, and goals, I am able to foster strong relationships that encourage steady growth in all developmental aspects."
Kylee Baker
Assistant Teacher
"I was born in Ventura but moved all around the US due to being a military child. I spent most of my childhood living in North Carolina, where I explored in the woods until the street lights came on, went crab fishing on the weekends, ran around barefoot all hours of the day, and truly embraced being a wild child. This experience as a child has heavily shaped me (for the best) as an adult now and it is what has made my opinion on nature lead learning for children so strong! I live a very simple yet intentional lifestyle with lots of nature, whole foods, love, and play. Im currently working to receive my Primal Health Coach certification to be able to further share my knowledge and passion for a traditional based lifestyle. It is so magical that I have the ability combine both my passion for holistic healing and being a moving piece in a child’s development into one. I have continued to implement these philosophy’s in all childcare environments that Ive been able to be apart of. Working in child care has brought me so many wonderful experiences and lessons. Working as a nanny in the Netherlands for two toddlers was one of those experiences that shaped me and taught me so much. It was the beginning of my professional childcare experience, and showed me I didn’t want it to be my last!"
Kahlil Aguilar
Assistant teacher and fill-in lead teacher
"I grew up on the coast in Carpinteria. I attended the Waldorf School of Santa Barbara for ten years and graduated high school through a homeschool program. I am a big time outdoor craftsman and most enjoy creating things like wooden tools, bows and arrows, herbal remedies, growing food, and learning other bushcraft skills. I’ve always loved teaching, and have volunteered the last two years at the Waldorf School of Santa Barbara, helping to teach games classes and woodworking to grades 1st through 8th. I have also been a head counselor at The Orca Camp, a Waldorf inspired beach camp, for the past four summers. It brings me joy to see kids grow, running and playing with smiles on their faces. I believe that nature is it’s own teacher, and we as teachers are only here to help guide and nurture children. I am really excited to be a part of Sweet Mountaintop school and I look forward to being a part of this community."
Angie Ouelette
Assistant teacher and fill-in lead teacher
"I was born and raised in Santa Barbara and wandered around the west a bit before I found myself drawn back to this enchanting coastline. I received a BA in psychology at San Diego State and worked with mothers and their children in residential treatment before I found myself falling in love with growing food and plant medicine. I studied permaculture in Sebastopol and enjoyed working the land growing organic produce and herbs. I finally landed a dream job back home in Santa Barbara teaching TK-8th students how to care for the Earth and each other. Over the last 2 years I have been enjoying sharing this passion with my toddler and watching his love for the garden and the outdoors grow. I have seen firsthand how important child-centered and play-based learning is at his age and have been exploring what that looks like with my son and his peers at our cooperative preschool. This is such a magical time in these tiny humans' lives and I find so much delight in holding space for them to learn and grow in a safe and beautiful environment."