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Castro Valley
Enrollment opens
Tuesday, May 28th, 2026,
10:30 AM.
*Families that sign up for our priority list will receive early access, priority enrollment, and reminder emails ahead of registration.
We anticipate high demand for our Castro Valley campus, and joining the registration list is the best way to stay informed and have the best chance of securing a spot.
By joining the priority list, you’ll receive access to registration 2 hours before it opens to the general public. You’ll be the first to know when registration opens and have the best opportunity to secure a space before spots fill.
Our programs are fully outdoor, play-based, and tucked away in Crow Canyon on a 100-acre wooded farm for toddlers, preschoolers, TK, kindergarten, and after-school students.
Classes
toddler Class
Ages 12 months—3 years
Tuesday or Thursday
Music in the Woods
9:00 - 10:00 AM
Artist in the Woods
10:15 - 11:15 AM
Join us for a delightful morning of exploration in our nature classroom with your little one. This gentle, caregiver-child class offers a first introduction to Forest School through songs, movement, and sensory exploration in nature. This immersive Forest School class offers a magical introduction to the joy of outdoor learning for children aged 14 months to 3 years. Each child must be accompanied by a participating adult, such as a parent, nanny, or grandparent. The participating adult should be able to hike, carry their child, walk on uneven terrain, and stay with the group while in the forest.
Please note: Tuesday and Thursday are separate one-day classes. Families may choose to enroll in multiple days if preferred.
Preschool Participation Class
Ages 2—4.5 years
Wednesdays, 9AM—12:30PM
Our preschool participation class for children ages 2.5–5 is fully outdoors, 100% of the time, providing a strong foundation for lifelong skills. As a Reggio Emilia–inspired Forest School, we focus on social-emotional growth, helping children express their feelings and needs while fostering resilience, leadership, and problem-solving. With a low student-to-teacher ratio and daily experiences with nature and animals, students gain a leg up on the skills that matter most. These early years build confidence, critical thinking, and self-expression—outcomes that set children up for success now and in the future.
TK Class
Ages 4.5—5.5 years
Monday—Friday, 12PM — 4PM
Our outdoor Transitional Kindergarten program provides a gentle bridge between preschool and kindergarten through hands-on, play-based learning in nature. Children explore, build, and engage in collaborative projects while developing independence, confidence, and early academic skills in meaningful, real-world contexts. In our forest setting, students experience nature firsthand—observing wildlife, exploring habitats, and engaging their curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. After learning at school indoors, your child comes to Emerging Sprouts to integrate that knowledge with social-emotional learning, hands-on exploration, and direct access to the natural world. These experiential opportunities make concepts like science tangible while fostering a deep appreciation for nature—skills and experiences that are often missed in a traditional classroom.
Only children enrolled in the Castro Valley Unified School District TK program may sign up.
Kindergarten
Ages 5—6 years
Monday—Friday, 1PM—5PM
Our outdoor Kindergarten program deepens learning through exploration, collaboration, and project-based experiences in nature. Children investigate, design, and engage in group projects while strengthening critical thinking, independence, and early academic skills in real-world contexts. Rooted in a Reggio-inspired approach, the program nurtures confident, connected learners who are ready for the next stage of their education. We guide each child into a way of learning that fosters inquiry-based curiosity, open-mindedness, and critical thinking. By merging the literacy and academic skills they bring from their indoor classrooms with hands-on experiences outdoors, children develop nature literacy and see themselves as part of the natural world, not separate from it.
This Program is for children enrolled in the Castro Valley Unified School District Kindergarten.
Afterschool
Forest Scouts
Grades Kindergarten - 5th Grade
Wednesday
Thursday, 2PM—5PM
Our Forest School Afterschool program for grades 1-3 offers one afternoon per week of hands-on, nature-based learning that complements what children study in their daily classrooms. Students bring their indoor academic knowledge to life (exploring the water cycle, rocks, erosion, and more) through direct, experiential learning in the forest. Through creative projects, collaborative play, and open-ended exploration, children build resilience, problem-solving, frustration tolerance, and social-emotional skills. Forest School nurtures confident, curious learners with a love of learning and a strong foundation for success in school and beyond.
This class is for children in 1st grade or higher, at least 6 years old, and enrolled in the Castro Valley Unified School District.
Please note: Wednesday and Thursday are separate one-day classes. Families can choose to enroll in just one day or both.