TK & Kindergarten at Nature’s Lab
Instead of piecing together a short school day, aftercare, transportation, and family help, Nature's Lab families choose one consistent community — small groups, daily outdoor learning, Spanish immersion, animals, real projects, and teachers who already know your child's story. We believe children can build the skills they need for school and life without losing childhood.
Nature’s Lab offers a warm, outdoor, bilingual pathway for older children through Full-Day TK/Kinder and a limited TK/Kinder Bridge option for children attending short public TK or Kindergarten days.
At Nature’s Lab, children continue to learn through play, nature, relationships, movement, Spanish, and child-led exploration while gaining more opportunities for deeper thinking, early literacy, math, science, storytelling, problem-solving, leadership, and reflection.
We believe children can build the skills they need for school and life without losing childhood.
Free TK is usually about 3 hours a day. Add aftercare, transportation, and a second pickup, and most families spend close to what Full-Day TK/Kinder at Nature's Lab costs for one consistent place instead of three.
2026-2027 Program Options
Full-Day TK/Kinder at Nature’s Lab
For children staying at Nature's Lab for their full TK/Kinder experience. All meals and snacks included.
Monday–Friday
7: 45 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
$1,385/month
AM TK/Kinder Bridge*
(age 4+)
Monday–Friday
7:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
$925/month
PM TK/Kinder Bridge*
(age 4+)
For children age 4 and older attending a short AM TK/Kinder day elsewhere.
Monday–Friday
12:00 p.m.–4:45 p.m.
$965/month
PM TK/Kinder Bridge*
(age 4+)
For children age 4 and older attending a short AM TK/Kinder day elsewhere.
Monday–Friday
11:30 p.m.–4:45 p.m.$995/month
Families enrolled in the TK/Kinder Bridge or Full-Day TK/Kinder program may continue during summer with the same schedule and tuition, when space is available.
Meals
Full-Day children receive all meals and snacks. PM Bridge and Early Arrival include lunch and afternoon snack. AM Bridge includes breakfast and lunch when the child's schedule includes the regular lunch period
Transportation
Transportation is not currently included. When several families attend the same nearby school, Nature's Lab may help interested families connect with one another to explore shared pick-up routines or carpool possibilities. Nature's Lab does not coordinate, supervise, or assume responsibility for private transportation arrangements between families.
Full-Day TK/Kinder at Nature’s Lab
The Full-Day TK/Kinder program is the fullest expression of Nature’s Lab’s older-child curriculum.
For children enrolled full day, Nature’s Lab intentionally plans the daily and yearly rhythm so children have meaningful opportunities to grow across all developmental and academic domains, including:
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Social-emotional development and self-regulation
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English language and early literacy
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Spanish language development
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Math and scientific thinking
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Outdoor learning and environmental stewardship
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Creative expression and storytelling
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Physical development, health, and well-being
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Self-help, independence, and responsibility
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Community participation, kindness, and repair
For our youngest TK/4–5 learners, the focus remains developmental readiness: self-regulation, friendship, independence, language, early literacy, early math, Spanish, outdoor learning, and confidence.
For Kindergarten children enrolled full day, learning becomes more project-based and intentionally connected across the day. Children still learn through play, nature, relationships, and child-led inquiry, but their work may become longer, deeper, and more reflective. They may plan projects, investigate questions, document observations, represent ideas through writing and drawing, solve real problems, and reflect on what they are learning.
This is not a rigid worksheet-based model. Literacy, math, science, social studies, Spanish, and social-emotional learning are embedded throughout meaningful daily experiences: stories, conversations, animal care, garden work, maps, measurements, signs, recipes, structures, nature observations, group meetings, and long-term projects.
Nature’s Lab uses developmental progress reports and parent-teacher conferences to share what we observe: where each child shines, what they are building, and how we can continue supporting their growth together.
TK/Kinder Bridge
The TK/Kinder Bridge option is designed for families whose children attend a short public TK or Kindergarten program and still want continuity in a warm, outdoor, bilingual, emotionally responsive environment for the rest of the day.
Bridge children participate in the rhythm and relationships of their enrolled block: outdoor learning, Spanish, meals, animal care, social-emotional support, and meaningful community.
Bridge children may also participate in project-based moments, outdoor investigations, literacy, math, storytelling, garden work, and hands-on learning when those experiences fall within their enrolled block.
Because Bridge children are present for only part of the day and are also receiving part of their TK/Kinder experience elsewhere, the full scope of Nature’s Lab’s project-based TK/Kinder curriculum is designed for children enrolled in the Full-Day TK/Kinder program, who are with us for the complete daily arc.
Daily Rhythm
Morning Bridge: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The morning block includes outdoor exploration, hands-on learning, Spanish, social connection, snack, and lunch. Project-based learning may be part of the morning when it fits the group’s rhythm, but the full project-based curriculum is designed for children enrolled in the Full-Day TK/Kinder program.
Midday Rhythm: approximately 12:00–1:30 p.m.
The program moves into a slower midday rhythm. Children eat, reconnect, rest their bodies, settle into the group, and transition gently between morning and afternoon experiences. This calm period supports children who have been at Nature’s Lab all morning and gives PM Bridge children a soft landing after their public school day.
Afternoon Bridge: 12:00 p.m.–4:45 p.m.
The afternoon block includes lunch, rest or calm transition time, outdoor play, Spanish, social-emotional support, afternoon snack, and end-of-day community rhythm. Project-based learning may be part of the afternoon when it fits the group’s rhythm, but the full project-based curriculum is designed for children enrolled in the Full-Day TK/Kinder program.
Meals and Snacks
AM Bridge children receive a morning snack and lunch.
PM Bridge children receive lunch and an afternoon snack.
Full-Day children receive all meals and snacks offered throughout the day.
Flexibility and Schedule Fit
The TK/Kinder Bridge program is designed to support families navigating short public TK and Kindergarten schedules.
Because children’s public school schedules may vary, enrollment depends on schedule compatibility, licensing capacity, staffing, and group balance.
Families are responsible for transportation to and from Nature’s Lab.
AM Bridge children must be picked up by 12:00 p.m.
PM Bridge children may arrive at 12:00 p.m. or later.
Families who need more flexibility may request the Full-Day TK/Kinder option.
AM Bridge pickup after 12:00 p.m. is billed at $15 per minute. This policy protects licensing capacity, staffing, and the transition between the AM and PM Bridge groups.
Public School Closure Days
The TK/Kinder Bridge program follows Nature’s Lab’s annual calendar.
When a child’s public TK or Kindergarten program is closed but Nature’s Lab is open, currently enrolled Bridge and Full-Day TK/Kinder families may request full-day backup care.
Backup care for enrolled Bridge families is available when the child’s public school is closed and Nature’s Lab is open, at $45/day by advance reservation. Meals and snacks are included.
Backup care for published school closure days should be requested at least two weeks in advance. Same-week reservations are not guaranteed.
For minimum days, early release days, parent-teacher conference schedule changes, or public school staff development days, families should contact Nature’s Lab as soon as they are notified. Availability is not guaranteed.
When both the public school and Nature’s Lab are closed, backup care is not available.
When Nature’s Lab is closed but the public school is open, Bridge care is not available.
Families are responsible for sharing their child’s public school calendar with Nature’s Lab before enrollment begins. Nature’s Lab does not track individual school district calendars for each family. Families are responsible for notifying Nature’s Lab of school closures, minimum days, early release days, or schedule changes as early as possible.
A Community for Children and Families
Nature’s Lab is built around relationships. Families are invited to be part of a community where children, parents, caregivers, and teachers work together to create a kind, respectful, curious, and connected learning environment.
Parents are not just enrolling in a program. They are joining a school community that values shared responsibility, outdoor learning, family connection, and the belief that children learn best when they feel safe, seen, and supported.
Families may participate through school celebrations, family hikes, volunteer opportunities, parent education, planning committees, and community events throughout the year.
Families also receive access to Nature’s Lab’s Conscious Discipline parent education resources, supporting consistency between home and school.
Tuition and Enrollment
Your child’s spot is reserved year-round. Tuition supports consistent staffing and does not vary with absences, vacations, holidays, school closures, or unused hours.
Optional special events, field trips, or summer experiences may incur additional fees, if applicable.
Enrolling now for August 2026. Spaces are limited and depend on schedule compatibility, licensing capacity, staffing, and group balance.
Families interested in Full-Day TK/Kinder, AM Bridge, or PM Bridge are invited to contact Nature’s Lab to discuss schedule, availability, and fit.
Families who are a good fit will receive enrollment agreement information, enrollment deposit information, and next steps to reserve their child’s space.
TK/K FAQ:
Is there a play-based kindergarten near Sacramento?
Yes. Nature's Lab School in Carmichael offers a private, play-based kindergarten — small by design, with an approximately 1:8 teacher-child ratio for our TK/Kinder group, daily outdoor learning, and Spanish immersion — serving families across the Sacramento area.
Will my child be ready for first grade?
Yes. Literacy, math, science, and Spanish are woven through projects and daily experiences, and we share developmental progress reports and parent-teacher conferences, so you always know how your child is growing.
What is the TK/Kinder Bridge?
The Bridge is for children ages 4 and older who attend a short public TK or kindergarten day and spend the rest of the day at Nature's Lab — outdoors, in Spanish, with consistent friends and teachers. Options run $925–$995/month at 2026 launch rates.
Do you provide transportation?
Transportation is not currently included. When several families attend the same nearby school, we may help interested families connect to explore shared pick-up routines. Nature's Lab does not coordinate or supervise private transportation arrangements.