License #313624911
Forest Friends Playschool is a large in-home family daycare nestled into the Meadow Vista woods. Located just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Sierra Hills Elementary school, Forest Friends Playschool is a convenient stop to add to your routine. We provide care for children 18 months and up, including afterschool care for those attending Sierra Hills Elementary.
Forest Friends Playschool is owned and operated by an experienced Early Childhood Educator. Michelle has a passion for teaching and encouraging children to reach for the stars. Along with Michelle, Forest Friends has hired another wonderful teacher. Melanie is a creative, consistent teacher who loves on each child like they are her own.
All staff are CPR and First Aid certified. All adults in the home as well as employees have had criminal background clearance (with no exemptions) and have tested negative for TB.
Forest Friends is licensed as a Large In-Home daycare. This means that it can hold up to 14 children with an assistant.
Tuition covers all meals, and snacks, a designated water bottle, nap mat, sheets, and bedding for those old enough to nap with pillows and blankets. We happily supply all diapers and wipes for children who need it. When Children are ready to transition to potty training, we support them through that process.
Forest Friends dips its fingers into many different teaching ideologies including Emergent, Montessori, Reggio, Teaching the Whole Child, and Learning Through Play. Our whole goal is to meet children where they are and help them to become kind, curious, and independent individuals.
Play is an essential part of learning. It allows one to feel free and happy while acquiring new skills. Our goal is to help kids view learning as a fun, engaging process.
We focus on every child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development, as well as their physical and mental health.
The curriculum takes into account what our specific group of kids are interested in. We plan lessons around what we think the kids will enjoy and grow from most.
The kids here learn how to take care of themselves, their environment, and each other.
We view each child as a capable, creative, intelligent human. Our job as their adults, is to support and value them.
Hello!
My name is Michelle and I am the owner and head facilitator at Forest Friends Playschool. I’ve been working with kids most of my life. I started in my childhood church’s nursery, and quickly added in regular babysitting gigs. As a young adult, I realized I wanted to turn my passion for working with kids into my career. I went back to college and dove into early childhood development classes. I became a preschool teacher, then later a nanny for a wonderful family. Now I get to run a daycare out of my own home! I love that I get to work with kids and empower them to be kind, curious, independent individuals! Our kids are going to change the world!
When it comes to the kids, I bring the energy to music time, the curiosity to cooking, and the silliness to our every day.
Hi!
My name is Melanie and I am a head teacher at Forest Friends Playschool. As a young girl, I learned that my grandmother started the very first HeadStart program in the county I grew up in. She was always so compassionate, patient, kind, and encouraging. She was a huge inspiration for me to want to get into childcare. I became an Aunty at 9 years old and had the opportunity to help care for my nieces and nephews. My passion, inspired by my grandmother, and my experience through becoming an Aunty have shaped me into a wonderful mother to my 2 amazing children. It has sparked a love for this job and the littles that come with it. Teaching, guiding, and inspiring little lives is a true blessing!
At Forest Friends Playschool we serve food family style. This empowers the children to feel like they have some say in what goes on their plate. We do still encourage them to try everything! Family style also helps with table manners, and fine motor skills. We regularly hear “Please pass the broccoli!” and “Could you please pass this to X?” The kids practice hand-eye coordination, learn to use spoons to scoop, and small tongs to grab. They also learn how much food to take both in relation to how much food is left for others in the serving bowl, and how much food they are actually hungry for.
It’s important to us that children are well nourished and also that they learn how to eat a balanced diet. We follow MyPlate’s guide to a healthy meal. We discuss the 5 different food groups of Protein, Starch, Veg, Fruit and Dairy. We teach the kids why each food group is important, how it provides benefits to the body, and what specific foods fall into which category.
Sitting down for a meal is about more than just the food we eat. It’s about the community that we create. While we eat, we talk with the kids about their lives. We ask questions like “what did you do over the weekend” and “what’s your favorite vegetable”. We also explore new foods! We will talk about the new fruit for snack: “What color do you think it will be on the inside?”, “Do you think it will have a pit or seeds?” Everyone gets a chance to answer, and everyone gets a chance to try something new. It’s a great way to make meal times a fun, meaningful part of the day.
"Forest Friends Playschool is exactly what we were looking for. . . They do art, learn letters, numbers, STEM, and most importantly they learn how to communicate when they are frustrated or not having a great day. Michelle (and Melanie) are amazing with the kids! Couldn’t ask for more!"
-Parent
"I have collaborated with Michelle for years regarding best practices in the field. I know that Michelle’s approach is gentle with firm boundaries. Just what children need to thrive. . . If you are looking for top quality developmentally appropriate care, look no further!"
- Experienced Preschool Teacher with 2 degrees in Early Childhood Education
"My grandchildren attend this daycare and it is awesome. Michelle I know personally and she provides excellent care with love."
-Grandparent
Open Mon-Fri, 7:30am-5:30pm
*Monthly tuition rates may vary from year to year to accommodate staffing needs and inflation.
Please contact us for our most up to date tuition rates.
Forest Friends Playschool does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. Forest Friends Playschool is an equal opportunity employer.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday
7:30am-5:30pm
Contact Us:
(530) 333-5656
Owner@ForestFriendsPlay.com
Forest Friends Playschool © 2023
