Not necessarily. While children will not leave fully fluent in Spanish, they will leave with a strong foundation. Most develop significant comprehension—they understand everyday Spanish, feel at ease hearing the language, and begin using words and phrases naturally during play.

Every child’s learning journey is unique. We invite caregivers to deepen Spanish exposure at home through songs, books, conversations, and simple daily routines, all of which help strengthen their child’s growing skills.

Can I expect my child to be fluent when they leave this program?

We are a bilingual program, not a full-immersion program. Children hear Spanish every day in songs, stories, routines, safety practices, and play invitations—while also regularly hearing and using English.

Our teaching team includes native Spanish speakers, fluent non-native speakers, and teachers with emerging Spanish skills. This reflects our philosophy: we model bilingualism as a joyful, accessible practice rather than an all-or-nothing expectation.

By the time children complete our program, they can typically understand and use Spanish related to daily rhythms and nature-based play, such as:
• Hand-washing, eating, getting ready
• Circle time and transitions
• Safety language and trail directions
• Play vocabulary like digging, climbing, running, and exploring

Circle time is held in both English and Spanish, and we weave bilingual songs, stories, and games throughout the day. Families also receive:
• A bilingual song list and Spotify playlist
• Daily notes with Spanish words, phrases, and activities from the day

This approach creates a natural, meaningful bilingual environment that supports comprehension, confidence, and joyful language exposure.

How much Spanish is spoken every day?

Yes. All teachers and substitute teachers undergo fingerprinting and a full background check. Every staff member is cleared through the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Guardian system. Families may request verification files by emailing us.

Are your teachers background checked?

Safety is the foundation of our outdoor program. We use layered protocols that support the park environment, the children, and our teaching team. For full details, please see our Safety Handbook.

PARK SAFETY
• Garmin satellite device with instant 911 location sharing
• Direct communication with East Bay Regional Park rangers
• Direct-to-rangers 911 pay phone at the park entrance

CHILD SAFETY
In the first weeks of school, children learn core safety skills through games, songs, and repeated practice:
• Boundary awareness
• Directional skills (landmarks, trail recognition, cardinal directions)
• Ecological awareness (hazardous plants + animals)
• Emergency response (coyote, rooster, and owl-call check-ins; what to do if separated)

TEACHER PREPAREDNESS
• All teachers certified in First Aid + CPR
• All teachers fingerprinted and background checked
• Daily site and trail safety checks
• Coordinated communication during hikes
• Walkie-talkie communication at all times

These layers work together to create a safe, joyful environment where children can explore with confidence.

What are your safety protocols?

No. Children develop at their own pace, and we honor each one exactly where they are. We partner with families to support toileting in a way that is respectful, responsive, and aligned with each child’s developmental readiness and comfort.

Does my child need to be potty trained?

Small groups help us keep children safe, seen, and deeply supported—especially in an outdoor classroom without walls or fences. Low ratios allow us to follow children’s curiosities, tend to individual needs, and build strong relationships.

Our intentionally low ratios are:
• Mariquitas (ages 2–3): 1:3
• Colibrís (ages 3–4): 1:5

These ratios allow us to offer truly attentive, relationship-based care in nature.

What is your teacher to child ratio?

As a forest school, we embrace all of Mama Nature’s moods. Light rain invites puddle play, sensory exploration, and noticing how the forest comes alive in new ways. That said, safety always guides our decisions. When forecasts call for heavy, all-day rain, high winds, lightning, or any conditions that compromise safety or comfort, we shift indoors for the day.
Our indoor home is La Plazita in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland— a warm, dry, and welcoming space where our play-based curriculum continues with the same joy and connection.

What do you do when it rains? 

F.A.Q.