Business Details
11 Years
experience
Nature Preschool Programs in Westchester County
Little Leaf School is the first licensed Nature Preschool in New York State, dedicated to fostering child development through immersive nature-based learning. Our educators combine play, social-emotional growth, and environmental exploration to create a dynamic curriculum inspired by Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Coyote Mentoring methodologies. With three locations across Westchester Countyincluding Hastings-on-Hudson, Yonkers, and Ossiningwe provide children aged 2 - 5 access to both structured indoor classrooms and expansive natural environments. Our team of experienced early childhood experts holds advanced degrees and certifications in education, sustainability, and nature-based pedagogy. As members of the Eastern Region Association of Forest Kindergartens and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, we uphold rigorous standards for experiential learning.Since 2015, we have prioritized unstructured outdoor play, seasonal exploration, and community-building to cultivate environmental stewardship. Our programs integrate art, science, and mindfulness practices, ensuring children develop resilience, creativity, and ecological awareness. We maintain state licensing through the New York Office of Children and Family Services, reflecting our commitment to safety and educational excellence. Parent partnerships and professional development are central to our mission of redefining early childhood education through nature.
Services
Preschool Programs
Summer Camp
Nature-Based Curriculum
Outdoor Education
Social-Emotional Learning
Child-Led Play
Environmental Stewardship
Seasonal Exploration
Art Integration
Parent Workshops
Details
- Year established: 2015
Highlights and features
- We pioneered New York State's first licensed Nature Preschool curriculum since 2015.
- Our educators hold advanced degrees in early childhood education and sustainability.
- Three unique natural campuses provide diverse ecosystems for hands-on learning.
- We integrate Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Coyote Mentoring methodologies for holistic development.
- Our staff maintains certifications in nature-based education and child-led play facilitation.
Associations and certifications
- New York State Office of Children and Family Services
Services
Nature Preschool
Our nature preschool immerses children aged 25 in experiential learning through unstructured outdoor play and environmental exploration. Curriculum integrates seasonal changes, ecological awareness, and sensory-rich activities across forested and natural settings. Certified educators facilitate child-led discovery while meeting state licensing standards for early childhood development.
Summer Camp
Summer camps provide extended outdoor learning opportunities with themed nature exploration, gardening projects, and creative play activities. Staff maintain small group ratios to ensure personalized attention while fostering social skills and environmental curiosity through structured and unstructured experiences.
Reggio Emilia Curriculum
This approach emphasizes child-led inquiry, artistic expression, and collaborative problem-solving within natural environments. Teachers document learning processes through photography and portfolios, creating individualized pathways that align with state educational standards while maintaining flexibility for spontaneous discovery.
Social-Emotional Development
Programs intentionally cultivate self-regulation, empathy, and conflict resolution through guided nature interactions. Children learn to navigate relationships and emotional challenges while developing resilience and communication skills in outdoor settings that encourage cooperative play and mindful reflection.
Parent Education
We offer workshops and resources to help families extend nature-based learning at home. Activities include seasonal nature walks, outdoor play strategies, and guidance for fostering environmental stewardship through everyday experiences that reinforce classroom concepts.
People
Theresa McCaffrey
Founder and Director
Masters in Special Education and Fine Arts, 10+ years inclusive classroom experience, Teach for America alum, trained in Reggio Emilia and Coyote Mentoring approaches, founded Little Leaf School in 2015.
Allison Griffin
Head Teacher
20+ years early childhood experience, certified yoga instructor and martial artist, specializes in social-emotional development, integrates mindfulness practices into nature-based curriculum for self-regulation and compassion building.
Shaiza Zahid
Site Director
Former chemical engineer turned conservationist, Tinkergarten leader, combines STEM concepts with nature play, advocates for unstructured outdoor exploration to cultivate environmental stewardship from early childhood.
Monica Daly
Head Teacher
Master's in Art Education from Teachers College, former graphic designer, integrates arts into outdoor learning, focuses on child-led play to develop social-emotional skills and creative problem-solving in natural environments.
Melissa Lohman-Wild
Head Teacher
Artist and educator with MA in Media Studies, specializes in nature-connected art projects, trained in Strawtown Studios facilitation, combines creative communication with environmental exploration for holistic early childhood development.
Questions
What age groups do you serve?
We serve children aged 2–5 through our preschool programs and summer camps.
Are your programs licensed?
Yes, our Hastings-on-Hudson and Yonkers locations are licensed by New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
What educational philosophies guide your curriculum?
Our approach combines Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, and Coyote Mentoring principles with play-based, nature-immersed learning.
Do you offer part-time enrollment options?
Programs include full-time and part-time schedules—contact us for specific location availability.
How do you handle inclement weather?
We maintain outdoor learning in most weather conditions with appropriate gear—indoor spaces available for severe weather.
Can parents participate in classroom activities?
We encourage family engagement through volunteer opportunities, parent workshops, and nature walk events.
