About
Roots y Ramas Forest School is a bilingual, play-based forest school where children take part in experiential nature immersion, daily practice with social-emotional community-building skills, and Spanish language acquisition. The program offers early sensory experiences for developing children and uses a “Nature is Teacher” approach in a setting described as a school without toys but with space, nature, and freedom to create. It also offers a seasonal series of Tuesday morning classes for infants to toddlers up to age 2 and their caregivers, combining early sensory experiences for children with an inviting space for adults to build community with like-minded families.
• Ages: 0–5 years old
• Schedule: School year program runs from early August to the end of June each year.
Roots y Ramas Forest School is cooperatively run, and Sara Hampton, Eva Sivill and Darci Andresen share leadership. The curriculum is informed by four stated values: Nature Kinship, Community, Justice and Joy. The program combines access to early sensory experiences for developing children with community-building for families, and there is no phone signal at the school site. All founders, staff and substitute teachers are background checked and cleared, hold current first aid/CPR training certificates, and participate in annual week-long trainings in safety, values and child development.
The Roots y Ramas program grew out of Early Ecology Forest School, one of the first forest schools in the Bay Area founded in 2015, and a home daycare called Big Trees. The five core staff have worked with one another for over 10 years and formed Roots y Ramas Forest School in 2022. The stated mission is to nurture children’s innate connection to the Earth, to themselves, and to one another through joyful, community-centered nature immersion.
Roots y Ramas Forest School hosts many events for current families and alumni, including Dia de los Muertos, a Back to School Camp Out, Family Sharing Day, a Full Moon Gathering, a Hike-a-thon, a Spring Picnic, Family Birthday Circle, and an End of Year Pizza Party. The program also hosts a Spring Picnic Party and Fundraiser that is open to all. Family activities are a regular part of the program’s offerings.
Parent testimonials describe teachers who deeply understand each child, lovingly guide social and emotional learning, and form deep, honest relationships with children. Parents report that creativity thrives through open-ended play with natural materials and that the site’s lack of phone signal slows adults down and invites them to be present. One parent notes strong wilderness and health protocols and a child learning to spot poison oak, while another describes the school as nourishment for the whole family’s soul. Parents also highlight a focus on social justice, Spanish language, community events and ceremonies, and a vibrant parent community that has grown around the school.
Last updated March 24, 2026.
• Ages: 0–5 years old
• Schedule: School year program runs from early August to the end of June each year.
Roots y Ramas Forest School is cooperatively run, and Sara Hampton, Eva Sivill and Darci Andresen share leadership. The curriculum is informed by four stated values: Nature Kinship, Community, Justice and Joy. The program combines access to early sensory experiences for developing children with community-building for families, and there is no phone signal at the school site. All founders, staff and substitute teachers are background checked and cleared, hold current first aid/CPR training certificates, and participate in annual week-long trainings in safety, values and child development.
The Roots y Ramas program grew out of Early Ecology Forest School, one of the first forest schools in the Bay Area founded in 2015, and a home daycare called Big Trees. The five core staff have worked with one another for over 10 years and formed Roots y Ramas Forest School in 2022. The stated mission is to nurture children’s innate connection to the Earth, to themselves, and to one another through joyful, community-centered nature immersion.
Roots y Ramas Forest School hosts many events for current families and alumni, including Dia de los Muertos, a Back to School Camp Out, Family Sharing Day, a Full Moon Gathering, a Hike-a-thon, a Spring Picnic, Family Birthday Circle, and an End of Year Pizza Party. The program also hosts a Spring Picnic Party and Fundraiser that is open to all. Family activities are a regular part of the program’s offerings.
Parent testimonials describe teachers who deeply understand each child, lovingly guide social and emotional learning, and form deep, honest relationships with children. Parents report that creativity thrives through open-ended play with natural materials and that the site’s lack of phone signal slows adults down and invites them to be present. One parent notes strong wilderness and health protocols and a child learning to spot poison oak, while another describes the school as nourishment for the whole family’s soul. Parents also highlight a focus on social justice, Spanish language, community events and ceremonies, and a vibrant parent community that has grown around the school.
Last updated March 24, 2026.
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