Business Details
18 Years
experience
Outdoor Preschool & Daycare in Redondo Beach
At Michelle's Backyard, we believe children thrive when learning is rooted in curiosity and play. Founded in 2008, our program serves families in Redondo Beach and the South Bay area with a nurturing, outdoor-focused environment for children aged 6 months to 5 years. Our play-based curriculum, inspired by Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Constructivist theories, prioritizes emotional development and social skills through hands-on exploration. We emphasize nonviolent parenting principles, fostering empathy and connection to build strong foundations for lifelong learning. With two decades of experience, we partner closely with families to create a supportive community where children feel safe, valued, and excited to grow. Our team of dedicated educators tailors activities to each childs developmental stage, ensuring personalized care that nurtures cognitive, physical, and emotional growth.Enrichment opportunities like yoga, music, and field trips are integrated into daily routines, while transparent communication keeps parents informed and engaged. As a licensed home-based program, we maintain small class sizes to provide individualized attention, helping children transition smoothly from home to school. Our graduates leave as confident, self-directed learners ready for future academic and social challenges. We remain committed to preserving the joy of childhood through outdoor discovery, creative expression, and meaningful relationships.
Services
Outdoor Preschool
Daycare Services
Play-Based Curriculum
Enrichment Programs
Field Trips
Details
- Year established: 2008
Highlights and features
- 20 years of experience serving South Bay families since 2008
- Curriculum inspired by Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Constructivist theories
- Dedicated outdoor classroom specialist on staff
- Enrichment programs included at no extra cost
- Strong emphasis on nonviolent parenting and emotional intelligence
What people say
Boundless energy
Infectious positive spirit
Tailored activities
Patient caregivers
Strong parent communication
Services
Outdoor Preschool
Our outdoor preschool immerses children in nature-based learning through unstructured play and guided exploration. Daily activities include gardening, sensory play, and environmental discovery to develop motor skills, creativity, and ecological awareness. This program prepares 3-5 year olds for kindergarten through hands-on experiences that build confidence and independence.
Daycare Services
Full-day care for infants through preschoolers combines structured routines with flexible learning opportunities. Our licensed home environment provides a secure setting for socialization, nap schedules, and individualized attention. Parents receive daily updates about their child's activities and developmental milestones through regular communication.
Play-Based Curriculum
Our curriculum follows children's natural interests through project-based activities that integrate literacy, math, and science concepts. Teachers observe and extend learning moments during play, encouraging problem-solving and collaboration. This approach develops critical thinking skills while maintaining children's intrinsic motivation to learn.
Enrichment Programs
Weekly enrichment activities include yoga for body awareness, music for rhythm development, and cooking for practical life skills. These programs are included in tuition and taught during regular hours. Each activity is designed to enhance coordination, social interaction, and sensory processing in age-appropriate ways.
Field Trips
Seasonal field trips to local farms, parks, and cultural institutions extend learning beyond our backyard. In-house visits from musicians, storytellers, and nature educators bring new experiences to the classroom. These activities develop children's understanding of their community and foster excitement for lifelong learning.
People
Michelle Dickinson
Founder & Director
Michelle Dickinson established Michelles Backyard in 2008 after earning her Child Development Permit and Outdoor Classroom certification. With a background in Social Anthropology, she creates nurturing environments where children develop social-emotional skills through nature-based play and relationship-building with families.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We care for children from 6 months to 5 years old in our multi-age, home-based setting.
What curriculum approach do you use?
Our play-based curriculum follows Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Constructivist principles, focusing on child-led exploration and emotional development.
How much outdoor time do children get?
Children spend most of their day outdoors exploring nature, with indoor spaces available for rest periods and inclement weather.
Are enrichment activities included?
Yes! Yoga, music, cooking, and field trips are included at no extra cost during regular school hours.
What are your operating hours?
We operate Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with closures for major holidays and four vacation weeks annually.
How do you communicate with parents?
We maintain open communication through daily updates, progress reports, and regular parent-teacher conferences to ensure family involvement.
Reviews (4)
Raymond Caton
Jul 30, 2016
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My kids have been attending Michelle's backyard for about a year and a half. Michelle does lots of activities with the kids and takes them all on field trips. When I pick up my kids at the end of the day, they ask to stay longer. So glad we found her and will continue trusting her with our children.
Lisa C.
Dec 24, 2014
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The hardest thing as a working parent for me was trusting someone else to love and nurture my little girl when I had to be away from her. I found Michelle when my daughter turned one and I was looking for a smaller, less structured daycare where my daughter could be a kid and roll around in the dirt, grass and water if that's what made her happy. From day one I have been happy with Michelle and all that happens during my daughter's days at Michelle's Backyard. I have many pictures and videos sent from Michelle to document the fun, learning and nurturing that goes on all day long. The kids learn
Ron Carmi
Dec 20, 2014
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Our oldest son "graduated" from Michelle's Backyard a year ago and is a confident, happy and thriving 4-year old today. Michelle certainly played a central role in shaping his social and emotional development. We were fortunate enough to find Michelle as first-time parents. She immediately put our novice parenting jitters at ease and quickly earned our full trust in caring for our son. Well, sons, really. Our second child is currently in Michelle's care and like all the kiddos there, feeds off of her boundless energy and infectious positive spirit. We LOVE Michelle and consider her an extended
Julia C.
Aug 06, 2014
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This is the best place you could possibly leave your children for the day. My son went here and my other son will soon. I can't say enough good things about the environment. First of all it is small so she really gets to know the kids and can address their needs one on one. She sends videos during the day of the kids playing that make me cry at work they are having so much fun. I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this place.
