Embracing a Magical Childhood

Play is the Vehicle, Nature is the Playground

Oakland Garden School

Our Mission

The conception of OGS began with a set of questions posed by early childhood educators, thoughtful parents, and conscientious human beings: What are your favorite childhood memories? Were they outdoors or indoors? Were they with kids or adults? Were they with artificial factory made toys or something out in nature or with an animal?

At OGS, we believe that childhood is the time to wonder and explore, a period in which the critical foundation for the journey of a human being is begun – continuing into the early grade school years, puberty, and adulthood. These are the times to create memories that will sustain our children throughout their whole lives. We must not force our children to perform for adult standards by compromising their early childhood experience. We believe in children’s innate interest and capacity for learning. Children thrive within a creative, stimulating environment which embraces the theory of multiple intelligences and an organic learning process. 

Our Philosophies

Endless
Curiosity

Children learn the best in what they instinctively show interest in. We want that for our children. We strive to promote children’s curiosity through interesting experiences, curriculum activities, and stimulating learning environments including exposure to our animals.

Appreciation and Respect for the Elements of life

 Sand, water, rocks and old logs as their play materials. The Garden is the metaphor of life where things are always transforming, changing, and growing.

Love
of Nature

Nature has been the inspiration to many great thinkers, artists, and poets. We hope to instill that in our children. OGS is the place for them to have nature in their daily life.

Strong sense of Self
and friendships

Sense of self as an individual comes from the value of friendship. OGS is a place to experience the skills of negotiation, cooperation, and co-activity while at the same time not compromising a unique sense of self.

Community
Building

OGS is the place for inspiring a sense of community with each other. By being part of OGS, we already share a similar philosophy and approach to life. Our role as adults is to continue to promote that sense of community in the lives we build together with our children.