Childcare & NAture’s Classroom
BEST. SUMMER. EVER.
Hi friends! My name is Sammy and I’m a self-employed mom with a Connecticut teaching license in Biology and a certification in First Aid & CPR. My beautiful son Luca just turned 4, and together we’re starting our homeschool journey and opting out of traditional public education.
Every day we explore nature and a diverse range of engaging preschool enrichment. I’ve nannied and worked in public schools for over 20 years, and now I’m returning to being an educator so that I can give my son an idyllic foundational education- one centered around movement, curiosity, exploration, and critical thinking.
This summer, we’ll be spending every day, rain or shine, exploring nature and learning about plants, animals, ecosystems, cause-and-effect relationships, nutrition, phonics, crafts, outdoor safety, inclusion, and friendship. If that sounds like a learning environment your child would thrive in, then we’d love to invite you to join us!
My son Luca is kind, sweet, silly, and gentle- we’re really hoping that whoever joins us for our homeschool/childcare program ends up becoming lifelong friends! We are often in central CT and Kissimmee, FL as well if connecting there works better for you.
Our group size may grow over time, but for now, I am opening up two spots for friends and keeping the group size at 3.
SUMMER PROGRAM OUTLINE
Located in Westerly, RI
May 18 Thru October 9
Mon-Weds 9am-1pm
Ages 4-5
Total group size: 3
Located in a private community with a playground, trails, pools, ponds, sports fields, and rec pavilion
You are welcome to sign up for the nature’s classroom program (on a rolling monthly basis) or inquire about private nannying (which also includes outdoor enrichment & education).
*secular, non-religious, non-political curriculum and childcare
CURRICULUM THEMES
MAY- first aid orientation, nature awareness, worm farms, composting basics, pine cone bird feeders, bird nesting materials craft
JUNE- group garden, wildflower seed planting, bugs & bees appreciation, strawberry season crafts & treats, cloud watching and drawing
JULY - bird watching, seashell scavenger hunt & identification, blueberry-raspberry season crafts & treats, USA themed crafts
AUGUST - compost harvest & planting, Things Up Close: Microscope Fun, water games, pear-peach season crafts & treats, shooting star lesson & craft (peak meteor season)
SEPTEMBER - leaf hunt & scrapbooking, apple season crafts & treats, nature walks & tree identification
OCTOBER - pumpkin painting & crafts, deer and black bear active season awareness, celebrating Monarch butterfly migration (see you next year!)
We are so excited to hear from you! This is going to be such a fun and wholesome summer, and we’d love for you to be a part of it. Please answer all of the questions and I’ll be in touch shortly.
-Sammy and Luca
SAY HI
Our family is choosing travel and the great outdoors over standardized testing and overly-structured classroom environments. When we’re not in Westerly, we’re spending time with family in Connecticut or we’re down in Florida escaping the cold and hitting the Disney parks. We’re so excited to meet other homeschool friends and build lasting relationships.
You are welcome to sign up for the nature’s classroom program (on a rolling monthly basis) or inquire about private nannying (which also includes outdoor enrichment & education).
Program Location:
Westerly, RI
Private Nanny Services Location:
Westerly, RI, central/shoreline CT, and Kissimmee, FL
Dates:
May 18th-Oct 7th
Hours:
Monday–Wednesday
9am-1pm
Meet Sammy D, The Nature Nanny
Childcare from a mom and certified Biology teacher 🌿🌞
Frequently Asked Questions
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Great question! (times are very fluid and dependent on the natural rhythm of play, hunger, and the needs of the kids)
8:45-9:15 Drop Off
9:15 Morning bike ride (Sammy can tow all three children on her electric trike or they can ride along)
9:30- Educational open play (children explore manipulatives and different enrichment centers)
10:00- Snack & story time
10:20- Playground
11:30- Picnic lunch
12:00- Nature walk or craft activity
12:45- Afternoon bike ride until parents come for pick up
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PACKING LIST- I can hold some of these items so you don’t have send them every day. I will also have spare supplies for any child that forgets any items.
Reusable, BPA free water bottle (we have filtered PFAS-free water for all refills)
Snack, lunch in lunch box/cooler
Preferred sun screen
Preferred bug repellant
Sun hat
Water proof shoes
Long sleeve sun shirt (daily)
Change of clothes (daily)
Bicycle helmet
Comfort stuffie or blanket
Sun glasses
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Absolutely not. This is a totally secular program, and we are accepting and inclusive to all people as long as they are kind and safe and good people. Our core principles are universal: be patient, be compassionate, be curious, and have integrity. These principles will not be preached, but will be gently woven into the fabric of our daily enrichment.
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Sure! Depending on how long you’d like to register your little ones, we can absolutely work out a sibling discount.
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Yes absolutely! We can discuss this further based on each parent’s registration. We can find an arrangement that is suitable for everyone.
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Children should pack their favorite snack and a lunch for our daily adventures, but I will always have healthy snacks, juice, and milk available for any child who forgets their own. Certain activities may be food based as well, and structured safely around any allergies.
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I do not use an app, nor will I ever post any pictures of your child’s face on the internet in any capacity (including email, app, or social media). I will ask that you sign a waiver giving me permission to post pictures and videos on my social media of our activities and accomplishments, but it will never disclose any identifiable or personal information about your child, your family, or where we are located. I can (and would love to) privately text parents throughout our day to show you all of the wonderful things we are enjoying throughout our day. Parents are also welcome to call or text any time; I will always be available for conversation or updates while looking after your little one.
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There are no sessions, and I will do my best to accommodate each families’ unique schedules and needs. There is a two week registration minimum, and ideally each child will attend for at least a month or the entire duration of the program.
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After you fill out the inquiry form, I’ll be in touch shortly thereafter to start a conversation. We can chat on the phone or via video chat so I can answer any questions you have. You can let me know about any of your child’s special needs, dietary restrictions, and scheduling commitments. If it feels like a good fit for everyone, I’ll shoot you the registration form and waiver. Once submitted along with the deposit, you’ll receive confirmation that your spot is reserved.
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Yup! For the nature’s classroom/homeschool program, I require a $300 deposit at the time of registration. It will be held until the time of completion of the the child’s attendance, and rolled into their final tuition. It is non-refundable.
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There is no policy on refunds, nor will a family be refunded money if they can’t attend a certain day or two. With two weeks advance notice, we can omit certain periods of time from your registration and I can book other children in your spot while absent. You will not be charged for extended periods of time where you know in advance your child will not be able to attend.
If you have an emergency or serious life changes and need to adjust the length of your registered period of attendance, I will absolutely have compassion for that situation and we can discuss a refund.
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I would love to connect with any families in need of nature enrichment or nannying services in central to shoreline CT, Westerly, RI, and Kissimmee, FL. Shoot me a message and we can talk dates and availability.