Business Details
19 Years
experience
Outdoor Nature School for Children in San Diego
Since 2007, All Friends Nature School has dedicated itself to fostering holistic child development through immersive outdoor experiences. Our play-based curriculum leverages natural environments to cultivate physical, cognitive, emotional, and social growth while building self-regulation and independence. We prioritize strong partnerships between educators, families, and the San Diego community to create nurturing spaces where children thrive. Our team of CPR-certified outdoor educators delivers structured yet flexible programming that balances exploration, creativity, and foundational learning.With mixed-age classes and specialized programs for homeschool enrichment, we provide children aged 3-9 with transformative nature connections that shape lifelong learning habits. Our commitment to weather-immersive activities ensures daily adventures that spark curiosity and environmental stewardship.
Services
Forest Kindergarten
Homeschool Enrichment
Summer Camp
Nature Explorers
Outdoor Educator Training
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- Experienced outdoor educators with CPR certification and child development expertise
- Proven play-based curriculum fostering holistic physical, cognitive, and social growth
- Strong parent-teacher-community partnerships enhancing child development outcomes
- Weather-immersive programming building resilience and environmental stewardship
- Flexible scheduling with mixed-age classes and specialized enrichment programs
What people say
Deeper connection with nature
Exceptional teachers
Thriving imagination
Lifelong learning foundation
Weather-immersive approach
Services
Forest Kindergarten
Mixed-age outdoor program for children 3-6 years old combining play-based learning with structured nature exploration. Daily activities include guided hikes, creative crafting, and social skill development through environmental interactions. Curriculum emphasizes physical coordination, emotional regulation, and early academic concepts through hands-on outdoor experiences.
Homeschool Enrichment
Specialized nature immersion for homeschool families meeting twice weekly. Designed for children 4-9 years old, this program integrates environmental science with creative play. Activities include seasonal exploration, ecological storytelling, and collaborative projects fostering curiosity and scientific thinking in natural settings.
Summer Camp
Seasonal nature immersion program maintaining core educational principles through summer months. Children engage in extended outdoor exploration, environmental stewardship projects, and imaginative play. Curriculum maintains developmental focus while adapting activities to seasonal natural patterns and weather conditions.
Nature Explorers
Extended-day option providing additional nature-based learning opportunities for enrolled students. Combines structured educational activities with free exploration time. Focuses on deepening environmental connections through prolonged outdoor engagement and specialized nature investigations.
Outdoor Educator Training
Professional development program for educators seeking nature-based teaching certification. Covers play-based curriculum design, outdoor safety protocols, and child-led learning methodologies. Emphasizes creating effective nature immersion environments while maintaining developmental appropriateness.
People
Susan Seiguer
Founder - Director - Nature Guide - Mentor
Susan established All Friends Nature School in 2007 with a vision for nature-based child development. She combines educational expertise with deep environmental knowledge to create transformative learning experiences that nurture children's natural curiosity and growth potential.
Katie Castilleja
Outdoor Educator
Katie brings extensive experience in nature-based education to her role. She specializes in creating engaging outdoor learning experiences that balance structured activities with child-led exploration while maintaining strong safety protocols.
Kimberly Sabiston
Outdoor Educator
Kimberly contributes her expertise in child development and environmental education. She designs creative nature activities that foster physical coordination, social skills, and ecological awareness through hands-on outdoor experiences.
Jill Novotny
Outdoor Educator
Jill specializes in integrating play-based learning with environmental education. Her approach combines structured curriculum elements with spontaneous discovery opportunities that adapt to children's natural learning rhythms.
Emma Hall
Outdoor Educator
Emma focuses on creating meaningful nature connections through sensory-rich outdoor experiences. She develops activities that enhance children's observational skills, creativity, and understanding of ecological systems.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We offer programs for children aged 3-6 in our Forest Kindergarten and 4-9 in our Homeschool Enrichment program.
What happens during outdoor learning?
Daily activities include guided exploration, nature crafting, storytelling, and structured social interactions that develop physical, cognitive, and emotional skills.
How do you handle different weather conditions?
We maintain outdoor programming year-round with appropriate clothing adaptations, believing consistent nature exposure builds resilience and environmental awareness.
What qualifications do your educators have?
All staff hold CPR certification and have completed fingerprint background checks, with specialized training in nature-based child development.
Can children attend part-time?
Yes, enrollment options include 2-5 days weekly to accommodate different family needs while maintaining developmental continuity.
How do you involve parents?
We foster collaborative relationships through regular communication, community events, and shared learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom.
