FAQs
Are your programs licensed?
We operate as a license-exempt program under California Child Care Licensing regulations.
Under California Title 22, programs that offer instructional, enrichment-based activities (such as art, sensory exploration, and nature learning) in a classroom-like setting are exempt from child-care licensing when they take place:
During school vacation periods (school breaks, holidays, and non-school days), or
One day per week during the school year for no more than four hours per day
We remain fully compliant with the safety standards, ratios, and practices expected of programs serving children.
Why Our Nature Preschool Cannot Be Licensed (Yet)
While we would love to license our Nature Preschool, current California licensing regulations under Title 22 do not permit fully outdoor-only preschool programs to become licensed. Community Care Licensing requires preschools to have specific indoor classroom space that meets square-footage, bathroom, and environmental requirements. Because our program is intentionally entirely outdoors, we do not fit into the existing licensing structure.
However:
We operate with the same safety standards, supervision guidelines, ratios, and procedures required of licensed programs.
We regularly review Title 22 requirements to ensure we are aligned with what would be required indoors.
We are committed to becoming licensed as soon as California allows outdoor-only programs to be licensed in the future. We strongly support ongoing efforts in the state to update regulations to include outdoor and nature-based early education programs.
Our Commitment to Safety and Quality
Even when a program is “license-exempt,” we hold ourselves to the highest standards in:
Staff training and background checks
Child safety and supervision
Emergency procedures
Environmental safety
Developmentally appropriate curriculum
Clear parent communication
Our goal is to provide an enriching, safe, and intentional learning environment—whether in our indoor studio programs or out in nature.