About
Little Forest Explorers includes child-led learning, nature immersion, unstructured play, morning meetings, exploration, lunch, and lesson time with curriculum integration. The program offers tours Monday through Thursday from 10am to 11am, with a daily schedule that includes drop off from 8:45am to 9:00am, morning meeting at 9:30am, exploration at 10am, lunch at 12:00 pm, lesson time and exploration with curriculum integration at 12:30pm, a pick-up option at 3:00 pm, and late pick-up at 4:00 pm Monday through Thursday. Nap time is available for nappers.
Programs
- Little Forest Explorers — Tours are offered Monday-Thursday 10am-11am; daily schedule includes drop off 8:45am-9:00am, morning meeting 9:30am, exploration 10am, lunch 12:00 pm, lesson time & exploration w/ curriculum integration 12:30pm, pick-up option 3:00 pm, late pick-up 4:00 pm Monday-Thursday
- Flexible Trial — Weekly trial based on availability · No forced long term commitment; perfect for filler weeks when school is out or for traveling families
- Full Enrollment — Future enrollment date · Non-refundable deposit required (applied to first month's tuition with enrollment)
At a glance
- General schedule: Tours are offered Monday-Thursday 10am-11am. Daily schedule includes drop off 8:45am-9:00am, morning meeting 9:30am, exploration 10am, lunch 12:00 pm, lesson time & exploration w/ curriculum integration 12:30pm, pick-up option 3:00 pm, late pick-up 4:00 pm Monday-Thursday. No late pickup on Fridays. Nap time is available for nappers.
About the provider
Little Forest Explorers was founded by Laura Engel. The program states that it focuses on self-regulation and adaptability. It also aligns its schedule with the SFUSD calendar, with a few exceptions, and offers a flexible trial based on availability, a full enrollment option with a non-refundable deposit applied to the first month's tuition, and a waitlist for 2026-2027.
Waitlist for 2026-2027. Mixed-age groups. Unstructured play. Aligns schedule with the SFUSD calendar, making a few exceptions. No forced long term commitment for the flexible trial. Non-refundable deposit required for full enrollment.
What families say
“It made me a better mother - and I can leave him in the morning knowing he will be having a wonderful day.” — Emeline B. parent of preschool student
“I've volunteered many times and have seen first hand the care taken of children and how Laura takes every opportunity to improve hers and teachers' practices.” — Emeline B. parent of preschool student Yelp Review
Last updated September 4, 2026.
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