Every child deserves their happy place
TreeSchool
2025-2026
Quick links:
2025-2026 TreeSchool
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Every child deserves a “happy place” to gain independence, make friends, develop unique skills and interests, and learn to contribute to a community. TreeSchool, our early childhood drop-off program at Johnson Nature Center, provides children with such a place. With 40 acres of forest, pond, and prairie to explore, children develop lifelong skills through meaningful play and project-based learning experiences.
We highly value the importance of relationships to build a strong learning community and maintain a low teacher-to-student ratio (2 teachers for every 6-12 children) to provide deep connections and personalized learning. We follow an emergent, child-led curriculum focused on discovering the joys and curiosities of the ever-changing seasons. Children engage in investigations inspired by their interests and the natural phenomena surrounding them to build the foundation they need to thrive.
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To provide opportunities that spark wonder.
To promote the joys of learning through play.
To build confidence through risk-taking and problem-solving.
To nourish cognitive development through design thinking and experimentation.
To inspire children to make meaningful impacts in their local community and natural environment.
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We are committed to doing our best to provide equitable and inclusive access to nature-based learning. We are a nature center focused on providing a high-quality educational experience for students and the community, and together, we can help meet funding needs for all to have the chance to grow here. Our current efforts that support this include:
Offering a Sliding-Scale Tuition, which has become a preferred model for equitable access to programs, allows us to not only accommodate participants of varying income levels but also continue providing these programs at a lowered cost.
Financial Assistance We are pleased to offer two financial assistance programs: Tuition Assistance and Gear Assistance.
Continual Anti-Bias & Trauma-Informed Training for TreeSchool teachers and supporting staff to provide quality care for all students.
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Louise Kavanaugh, Leigh Rowe, Megan Thompson, Tracy Niyo. Learn more about the team here.
History of TreeSchool
TreeSchool began with a bold vision to create a nature-centered early childhood program rooted in play, exploration, and community. It was co-founded by Brooke Larm, Leigh Rowe, and Tracy Niyo, who began the process of licensing through the state of Michigan in July 2022. After months of planning and preparation, TreeSchool received its official child care license in February 2023. The program launched its first semester on February 28, 2023, with 11 students attending one day a week in a humble outdoor space marked off by an orange plastic snow fence.
With strong community support and over $45,000 raised through donations, construction began in fall 2024 on a permanent outdoor classroom, including a wooden fence and pavilion. That same season, students and teachers officially moved into the new space.
As interest and enrollment grew, TreeSchool expanded to serve up to 24 students across four days each week. The school’s impact has extended beyond its campus, playing a significant role in shaping new Michigan licensing regulations that better support outdoor, nature-based programs.
Is your child too young or old for TreeSchool yet you’re interested in providing them with farm- and nature-based learning experiences? Check out our other early childhood offerings and sign up for our newsletter!