At Asheville Farmstead School, we provide a fully outdoor program that immerses children in nature, fostering exploration in forested environments and promoting a deep connection to the natural world. Our play-based learning model emphasizes natural science themes, ensuring that students engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences throughout the seasons.

THEMES

    • Nature-based Themes
      • September: Seeds 
      • October: Leaves 
      • November/December: Forest Mammals 
      • January: Ice  
      • February: Birds
      • March: Insects 
      • April: Plants 
      • May: Weather 
    • SEL based Themes
      • September: Training, and four main emotions
      • October: Four main emotions
      • November/December: Inclusivity
      • January: reteach routine and teach how to help friends
      • February: Problem-solving
      • March: Emotions expanded - frustrated and lonely
      • April: Environmental stewardship
      • May: Growth mindset

AREAS OF GROWTH AND LEARNING

Areas of growth in Social Emotional Learning

  • Our social-emotional learning helps children develop emotional intelligence, resilience, and social awareness. By learning to manage emotions, students enhance communication, promote kindness, and foster cooperation. These skills support problem-solving, patience, and responsibility, creating a foundation for lifelong empathy and positive relationships.

Areas of growth in Science

  • Students explore the natural world through observation, hands-on experiences, and inquiry-based learning. They study plant diversity, adaptations, and seasonal changes while learning about seed dispersal, pollination, and animals' roles in ecosystems. Observing behaviors like hibernation and migration helps students understand food chains and ecosystem balance, laying the groundwork for scientific literacy and environmental responsibility.

AN LL'S DAILY FLOW

A day in the life of a Littlest Learner begins with a warm welcome and a chance for children to drop off, sign in, and enjoy some free play before gathering in a circle for SEL, the Cedarsong song, and a transition to the classroom. The morning continues with snack time and storytelling, followed by Wild Math, where children engage in fun, nature-inspired activities. Free play offers more time for imagination and peer collaboration, leading into Wild Reading, which fosters a love for literacy.

Lunch is a cozy moment, paired with a podcast, and then the afternoon starts with the half-day Littlest Learners arriving, transitioning to the classroom, and more free play. After that, children explore science through hands-on activities, with Thursdays including a hike into the forest. Snack and storytelling follow, offering a calming break, and then it's time for more free play. The day ends with SEL, nature notes, and the Cedarsong song, helping the children transition to the schoolyard for pickup. Each day is an exciting, dynamic journey that supports learning, curiosity, and connection to nature.

DETAILS

Cost: 1/2 day = $4,815.00 a year or $535.00 a month. Full Day = $8,190.00 a year or $910.00 a month.

Time: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Half-day runs from 12:30 pm -4:30 pm. Full-day run from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Ages: 5 - 8 years old​

Snack (both):  Families pack a snack for Littlest Learners.​

Lunch (full day):  Families pack and send Littlest Learners with lunch from home.

The Littlest Learners program runs for the full academic year. A yearly commitment is needed to enroll in this program.  We have rolling enrollment until we are full.  We maintain a 1 staff to every 7 students ratio, and we are full at 7 full-day, and 7 half-day students.  

ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Book a tour

Step 2: Attend your tour

Step 3: Decide on enrollment or add your name to our waitlist

Step 4: Email our director to confirm your decision

Step 5: Complete all necessary forms and submit your non-refundable 1st month’s deposit

Our 2025-2026 school year is now enrolling students on a rolling basis. We only have spots remaining in our Half-Day LL program.

Outdoor Classrooms & Daily Adventures

The Littlest Learners’ home base is our Forest Classroom, a covered platform nestled within our trail system, where children engage in structured and unstructured outdoor learning. They hike trails, explore the forest, care for animals, and cultivate gardens, all while learning through seasonally themed nature-based lessons that align with the rhythms of the year.

Littlest Learners Educators

Littlest Learners Educators are passionate mentors who build deep, meaningful relationships with students while ensuring their safety and fostering a joyful foundation for academic learning. By following each child’s interests, they create engaging experiences that spark curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning. Recognizing that exploration and discovery are key to growth, educators provide a structured yet playful environment where children develop essential academic skills alongside resilience and problem-solving abilities. Strong communication with families is a priority, with Brightwheel used to provide regular updates, ensuring transparency and collaboration. Educators document student progress through kudos, growth rubrics, and daily learning experiences, capturing both academic milestones and social-emotional development. Their commitment to professionalism and continuing education ensures they stay informed on best practices in early childhood education. Through mentorship, observation, and dedication, Littlest Learners Educators create a warm, enriching environment where children build a strong academic foundation while developing a lifelong love of learning. Their expertise and passion shape meaningful early learning experiences that set the stage for future success.

As educators, we have been influenced by a variety of educational philosophies from Montessori,  Waldorf, Emilio Reggio, Project-Based-Learning, Place-Based-Learning, and The Cedarsong Way. We strive to pull aspects from as many proven techniques as we can, weaving in the strengths from each to put forth a new and innovative approach to Early Childhood Education.

Cedarsong Way Accredited School

Asheville Farmstead School is proud to be one of four internationally accredited Cedarsong® Way Schools.

The Cedarsong Way is an award-winning leader in the U.S. Forest Kindergarten movement and has received international accolades for its groundbreaking work.​Schools that are accredited in The Cedarsong Way have proven to be operating at the same high level of excellence as the original Cedarsong Nature School.

The Cedarsong Way accreditation is your assurance of the best quality outdoor education program.  Learn more about The Cedarsong Way and our philosophies.

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