Explore Our Play Grove
An outdoor enrichment program for 3 to 5 year olds
Play Grove is a new garden enrichment program launching in the Fall of 2024 for 3-5 year olds right here in San Luis Obispo at our central garden on Laureate Lane. As an extension of One Cool Earth’s seasoned learning model, we know that children grow best when learning outside through play. We are a nature-based and place-based enrichment program. This means we use the environment as our guide as we play, grow, create art, garden, and learn together. Play Grove will allow young children to access this experience alongside enthusiastic playworkers in a nature-based environment.
Here are the details:
Interested in getting started with the Play Grove? Click the button down below! |
Play - Grow - Create
Children will experience:
- Intentional, emergent curriculum that is guided by children's curiosity and exploration
- Nature-based connection in a beautiful garden setting at the base of Cerro San Luis
- High-quality, play-based curriculum with guidance from seasoned playworkers
- A low student to playworker ratio of 1:5
- Fun and joy - by infusing joy into all of our practices, children see the Play Grove as a fun and exciting place to be!
- Free play, prescribed games, intentional curriculum, art, and projects that are infused with laughter, curiosity and excitement.
- An introduction to gardening, harvesting, preserving, seed saving, preparing fruits and veggies, drying flowers and more!
And through nature-play they will develop:
- A deeper sense of curiosity as they ask questions to connect to plants and animals
- Confidence in their own sense of self
- Establishing a connection to a place overtime and connecting to the land which leads to a sense of belonging and trust in life needed to thrive
- The start of their learning process of recognizing letters, numbers, colors, and shapes (shapes found in the natural world, counting olives, etc)
- Language skills (in rhythms, rhymes, singing songs and storytelling) that prepare children for the next step in their learning journey
- Outdoor readiness skills (such as understanding hazards and looking out for each other) to prepare them for outdoor adventures
Enrolling now!
Interested in getting started with the Play Grove? Click the button down below! Or contact us at playgrove@onecoolearth.org to learn how our program stands out.
Pricing
Tuition can be billed either as a lump sum for the semester or in five equal installments for the Fall Semester, or six equal installments for the Spring Semester.
Fall Semester Aug 19 - Dec 20 |
Cost for semester |
5 Payments |
5 Days per week (Mon-Fri) |
$6,300 |
$1,260 |
3 Days per week (Mon, Wed, Fri) |
$4,050 |
$810 |
2 Days per week (Tues, Thurs) |
$2,880 |
$576 |
Spring Semester Jan 6-June 7 |
Cost for semester |
6 Payments |
5 Days per week (Mon-Fri) |
$7,700 |
$1,283.33 |
3 Days per week (Mon, Wed, Fri) |
$4,950 |
$825.00 |
2 Days per week (Tues, Thurs) |
$3,520 |
$586.67 |
More details about the Play Grove
Our Curriculum Approach
At the Play Grove, our days are centered around the children, using an emergent curriculum approach. Emergent curriculum is a process where our playworkers plan activities based on the specific needs of the children they are working with, taking into account their skills, needs, and interests. Children get the opportunity to engage in artistic play, imaginative play, risky play (with careful guidance of playworkers), musical play (with handmade instruments), collaborative play, and individual play. We encourage children to seek out new things and new experiences, such as getting their hands dirty, engaging in risky play, or tasting a new fruit or veggie. Some of our day will be spent playing and learning in the garden. Our mornings might consist of making mud pies, saving seeds, watching birds, or creating art out of fallen leaves. Our wonderful garden space is part of our nature-based and place-based curriculum, allowing children to strengthen their connections with the environment.
Daily Flow
Because we are attuned to the child’s needs, the daily flow is flexible, but drop-off and pick-up will not change.
8:30-8:45 Drop Off
Families arrive and check in with the playworkers and sign in via Brightwheel. Children help put their gear and lunch in their cubby in the tent. Playworker checks to make sure the child has everything they need for the day. Some families may say goodbye before Circle Time and others may stay based on preference of the family.
8:45 Circle Time (Song/Present Options For The Day)
Circle time starts with a song and a greeting. We get a chance to check in with each other and then playworkers will present options for the day. After our circle time, we encourage families to say goodbye for the day!
9:00 Guided Play
A playworker facilitates an open-ended activity that is informed by the kids' interests and experience levels. These activities are typically designed to encourage group work and skill development. They may look like a large-scale art piece, 'play lab,' or tool practice in the garden.
9:45 Snack (Children Bring Their Own)
Children gather their water bottles and their snack from their cubbies and join everyone on the picnic tables outside (or in the tent if it’s raining). Our Garden Curriculum activity may include a scrumptious activity! Children are also encouraged to eat a snack from home as well. During snack, playworkers may share a story. Playworkers will check in with children, reminding them about bathroom breaks, water breaks, etc. As the kids finish their snack, they will transition to free play.
10:00 Free Play
Free play is unstructured play where children are empowered to make their own choices.This may look like building, climbing, acting out stories, creating art, or squishing mud. Playworkers step into 'watching mode,' making and documenting observations about each child, ensuring physical and emotional safety, and supplementing play as helpful.
11:30 Lunch (Children Bring Their Own)
Participants gather their water bottles and lunch boxes, put them at a spot on the picnic tables, and wash their hands at the sink. During this transition, playworkers check in with children about going to the bathroom, gear, and other reminders as needed. After eating, participants put away their lunch things, go to the bathroom (as needed), wash their hands, and transition into play.
12:00 Free Play
After lunch, children will have the opportunity to engage in free play. Playworkers will check in with children frequently to see what they need at this time. Free play during this time will happen closer to the tent area to keep the group together. Free play might look like building forts or making mud pies, exploring the seasonal creek or finding earthworms in the garden beds.
12:20-1:00 - Pick Up/ Chat With Playworkers
At 12:20 playworkers and children will circle up and reflect on their day and sing songs. Caregivers arrive and sign their child out with the playworker by the picnic tables. Playworkers communicate noteworthy events from the day, share accomplishments, and pass along preparation notes for coming sessions as needed. Caregivers are encouraged to glance at the lost and found pile before leaving.
Our Playworkers
What is a playworker? The term originates from the United Kingdom and is widely used in other parts of the world. A playworker is a professional who facilitates children's play. This article goes into more depth about the term. Our Playworkers take on many roles. They are co-learners with the child, coming to an activity with an open mind. They are co-creators of the learning experience with children. They are facilitators, providing activities and materials for activities. They are observers, stepping back to reflect and allowing children to play freely. Playworkers are helpers, assisting with routines and setting appropriate limits.
The role of our playworkers is to make sure that each child has an enriching experience at the Play Grove. Playworkers create “a safe home and a place to roam” where children are free to explore new activities and spaces, while also having the safe feeling of being at home in their familiar spaces (such as the tent or garden area). The “safe home” is the place where children start and end their days and they feel comfortable and secure. The “place to roam” can be a physical space or can be a new experience or activity for children. Our playworkers' strong connection to their environment and their knowledge of early childhood development provides children an enriching outdoor experience.
At the Play Grove, our days are centered around the children, using an emergent curriculum approach. Emergent curriculum is a process where our playworkers plan activities based on the specific needs of the children they are working with, taking into account their skills, needs, and interests. Children get the opportunity to engage in artistic play, imaginative play, risky play (with careful guidance of playworkers), musical play (with handmade instruments), collaborative play, and individual play. We encourage children to seek out new things and new experiences, such as getting their hands dirty, engaging in risky play, or tasting a new fruit or veggie. Some of our day will be spent playing and learning in the garden. Our mornings might consist of making mud pies, saving seeds, watching birds, or creating art out of fallen leaves. Our wonderful garden space is part of our nature-based and place-based curriculum, allowing children to strengthen their connections with the environment.
Daily Flow
Because we are attuned to the child’s needs, the daily flow is flexible, but drop-off and pick-up will not change.
8:30-8:45 Drop Off
Families arrive and check in with the playworkers and sign in via Brightwheel. Children help put their gear and lunch in their cubby in the tent. Playworker checks to make sure the child has everything they need for the day. Some families may say goodbye before Circle Time and others may stay based on preference of the family.
8:45 Circle Time (Song/Present Options For The Day)
Circle time starts with a song and a greeting. We get a chance to check in with each other and then playworkers will present options for the day. After our circle time, we encourage families to say goodbye for the day!
9:00 Guided Play
A playworker facilitates an open-ended activity that is informed by the kids' interests and experience levels. These activities are typically designed to encourage group work and skill development. They may look like a large-scale art piece, 'play lab,' or tool practice in the garden.
9:45 Snack (Children Bring Their Own)
Children gather their water bottles and their snack from their cubbies and join everyone on the picnic tables outside (or in the tent if it’s raining). Our Garden Curriculum activity may include a scrumptious activity! Children are also encouraged to eat a snack from home as well. During snack, playworkers may share a story. Playworkers will check in with children, reminding them about bathroom breaks, water breaks, etc. As the kids finish their snack, they will transition to free play.
10:00 Free Play
Free play is unstructured play where children are empowered to make their own choices.This may look like building, climbing, acting out stories, creating art, or squishing mud. Playworkers step into 'watching mode,' making and documenting observations about each child, ensuring physical and emotional safety, and supplementing play as helpful.
11:30 Lunch (Children Bring Their Own)
Participants gather their water bottles and lunch boxes, put them at a spot on the picnic tables, and wash their hands at the sink. During this transition, playworkers check in with children about going to the bathroom, gear, and other reminders as needed. After eating, participants put away their lunch things, go to the bathroom (as needed), wash their hands, and transition into play.
12:00 Free Play
After lunch, children will have the opportunity to engage in free play. Playworkers will check in with children frequently to see what they need at this time. Free play during this time will happen closer to the tent area to keep the group together. Free play might look like building forts or making mud pies, exploring the seasonal creek or finding earthworms in the garden beds.
12:20-1:00 - Pick Up/ Chat With Playworkers
At 12:20 playworkers and children will circle up and reflect on their day and sing songs. Caregivers arrive and sign their child out with the playworker by the picnic tables. Playworkers communicate noteworthy events from the day, share accomplishments, and pass along preparation notes for coming sessions as needed. Caregivers are encouraged to glance at the lost and found pile before leaving.
Our Playworkers
What is a playworker? The term originates from the United Kingdom and is widely used in other parts of the world. A playworker is a professional who facilitates children's play. This article goes into more depth about the term. Our Playworkers take on many roles. They are co-learners with the child, coming to an activity with an open mind. They are co-creators of the learning experience with children. They are facilitators, providing activities and materials for activities. They are observers, stepping back to reflect and allowing children to play freely. Playworkers are helpers, assisting with routines and setting appropriate limits.
The role of our playworkers is to make sure that each child has an enriching experience at the Play Grove. Playworkers create “a safe home and a place to roam” where children are free to explore new activities and spaces, while also having the safe feeling of being at home in their familiar spaces (such as the tent or garden area). The “safe home” is the place where children start and end their days and they feel comfortable and secure. The “place to roam” can be a physical space or can be a new experience or activity for children. Our playworkers' strong connection to their environment and their knowledge of early childhood development provides children an enriching outdoor experience.