Where are you located?

A Thousand Mornings travels to different outdoor spaces throughout Santa Barbara and Goleta. We don’t have a permanent structure of any kind; we belong to the land! We meet at a base camp daily and then venture out from there throughout the program day. We rotate sites approximately every 4-6 weeks.

What age children do you accept?

We are a mixed-age program. Generally, we enroll children around 2.5, though we’ve found that many children as young as 2 are ready to join us in the forest.

“Readiness” lives on a spectrum and includes things like communication, motor skills, bodily awareness, and a growing sense of autonomy. One of the clearest indicators, though, is social—when children are interested in or motivated to play with “friends!”, they are often ready to join us.

We encourage children to join (and stay) in our program until they feel ready to transition to Kindergarten.

What happens if it rains?

We play in the rain! We will have tarps to create a small shelter and keep belongings dry, but unless there are thunderstorms predicted, we will still meet and be outdoors. Children come equipped in appropriate gear specifically so we can enjoy all kinds of weather. (We are working, longterm, towards having rain gear to lend to families for a session. As a new program, we have not yet amassed what we’d like to have but can currently offer a discount through a great children’s gear outfitter.)

It’s important to note that children will sometimes be uncomfortable with playing in inclement weather at first— and that’s okay! We’re cultured to believe that when the weather is “bad,” we stay inside. But just like anything else, the more we practice being outside, in all kinds of environments, the more we realize how fun and engaging it can be.

What do you do all day?

We play outside!

A Thousand Mornings Forest School is a play-based program that honors a child-led curriculum. Loosely, our day goes like this:

• 8:30- 8:45 Drop Off at Scheduled Base Camp

• 8:45-10:00 Provocations/ Invitations to Play

• 10:00-10:20 Circle Time: Welcome Song, Story, Discussion

• 10:20-10:40 Snack, Gratitude Circle, Water & Potty Break

• 10:40-11:00 Clean-up Time, Transitioning

• 11:00-12:15 Hike/ Wander to Alternate Location/ Free Play

• 12:15-12:30 Closing Song, Reflections

Can we schedule a tour?

Because our program is entirely outdoors, we are thoughtful about the way energy moves through our space. Over the years, we’ve found that having a steady stream of individual visitors can disrupt the flow of the day for both children and teachers.

Instead of traditional tours, we offer group site visits for families who are actively considering enrollment.

For fall enrollment, we host monthly group visits from March through the summer, typically with 3–4 families at a time. These visits take place during school hours so you can experience the rhythm of our day, observe the environment, and get a feel for how we move and interact together.

When possible, we coordinate visits for families who are ready (or nearly ready) to enroll, grouping interested families together to limit the amount of outside energy entering the program while still offering a meaningful window into our work.

We do not offer tours for families who are exploring options far in advance, but we are always happy to answer questions via email and help you determine whether this might be the right fit for your family.

And of course, because we are in public spaces, you are always welcome to pass by and catch a glimpse of us in action. We simply limit the number of scheduled visitors in order to preserve the integrity of our space, our rhythm, and our community.

How do you handle conflict resolution?

Teachers are trained to practice positive discipline. We believe effectively addressing behavioral issues requires identifying the belief behind the behavior. When children act out, it is always for a reason, and rather than seeking to simply eliminate a disruptive behavior, we work to discover its root and help find solutions. Discipline is never punitive, physical, or involving punishment; it is also not permissive. We have clear expectations that we treat one another with kindness and respect.

Ultimately, we work with children to develop problem-solving skills and to create a sense of belonging, significance, and peace. We believe there are no "bad kids" or even "bad behavior;" there are simply varying expressions of the gamut of emotions. Children are seeking to feel connected and understood, and we allow a space to practice doing so in a way that keeps people and things safe. Developing emotional literacy and empathy are at the core of our practices.

Can I stay with my child during the school day?

We know how big this transition can feel—for both children and parents! Separation is a learning process, and it’s natural to want to stay close. Some families value being with their child during the school day, and that’s absolutely okay—it’s just not how our program approaches the initial transition.

What we’ve found is that children take their cues from us. When a parent lingers or feels uncertain, a child often senses that and has a harder time settling in. When a parent leads with calm confidence—“You’re safe here, and I’ll be back soon”—children are better able to relax, connect with their teachers, and start exploring.

Our drop-off process is designed to be short, warm, and reassuring. All this being said, our goal is to be understanding of each family’s needs, connection style, and readiness; we may invite a parent to stay in the first day or two, but usually only once or twice. After that, we’ll continue the conversation if needed, but our goal is to help your child build trust and independence in their new space.

Once your child has acclimated, we have an open-door policy. We love welcoming parents back in to share their gifts—reading a story, playing alongside the children, or enjoying a part of the day together.

What will my child need to bring to school ?

Each day, children should bring:

• An ergonomic backpack they can carry themselves

• A leak-proof, refillable water bottle

• A hearty, healthy lunch in a sealed container

• A full change of weather-appropriate clothes (including at least 2 pairs of socks)

• A seasonally-appropriate hat

• Closed-toe shoes

• Sunscreen

Is your program nut-free?

No. We allow all foods. We wash hands before eating, and, if a child in our group has a specific food allergy, we will wash hands after snack as well. Children are not allowed to share food.

We cannot guarantee that children with nut allergies will not encounter nuts in nature, though we can help identify them as something to avoid. If a child requires an EpiPen, one must be provided at the start of the school year, along with the required Medication Authorization Form signed by a physician.

Where do you go to the bathroom?

We nature pee! We utilize the Leave No Trace principles, but we will always use a portable toilet for bowel movements.

We carry biodegradable soap and water and ensure children wash hands afterwards.

Does my child need to be potty-trained?

Children must have begun the potty-training process before attending. We recognize that this process takes time and is not linear in progression! Accidents happen. However, we require that children in attendance have begun pottying at home and wearing underwear regularly before attending A Thousand Mornings.

We reserve the right to make exceptions to this rule, based on a variety of factors, including regard for particular developmental needs and the current enrollment count of other children, who might already require special assistance.

Do you accept children with special needs?

We strive for inclusivity in every arena in our forest school and welcome children with special needs as well as typically developing children. Like all children, children with special needs will be admitted on a case-by-case basis. Because of the nature of our program, careful considerations must be made about safety, accessibility, and supervision, though we will always make our best effort to modify our program and environment to be accessible to all.

We will happily work with any specialists (occupational therapists, speech therapists, etc.) a child might have to create the best possible experience for children with special needs. When appropriate, a trained aide is welcome to attend all sessions with the child.