We're honored to be part of yours.

One of our favorite parts of Forest Saplings isn't just watching children grow.

It's getting to know the families growing right alongside them.

When you choose Forest Saplings, you aren't simply choosing childcare. You're inviting us to become part of your child's village.

That's a pretty big deal.

And it's something we never take for granted.

We're on the Same Team

No one knows your child better than you do.

You know the little things we can't possibly know on the first day.

What makes them laugh.

What comforts them.

What they're suddenly obsessed with.

What they're working really hard to master.

What makes them nervous.

What happened last night that might explain why they're having a particularly emotional Tuesday morning.

Then we get to know another side of them.

We see the friendships they're building, the bugs they stop to investigate, the challenges they're learning to navigate, and the little victories that make them absolutely beam with pride.

When we put those pieces together, we get a much better picture of your little human.

That's why communication matters so much to us.

Seriously.

We want to know.

Did your little one barely sleep last night?

Are they teething?

Potty training?

Getting a new sibling?

Did Grandma come to visit?

Are they suddenly terrified of something?

Did they wake up at sunrise because they were so excited for adventure day?

Are they currently obsessed with excavators?

Have they decided they absolutely will not wear the color blue?

Do they firmly believe they're actually a squirrel today?

Tell us.

What feels like a tiny detail to you might explain a very big feeling later in the day.

There really isn't such a thing as too much information when it helps us understand and care for your child.

We love sharing little pieces of your child's adventures with you.

The muddy boots.

The enormous smile after crossing a log all by themselves.

The animal they couldn't believe they spotted.

The fairy house everyone worked together to build.

The completely ridiculous thing your child said that we know you're going to want to remember forever.

Whenever it's safe and appropriate, we'll send pictures, videos, and updates so you can get a glimpse into their day.

Some days you'll get quite a few.

Other days?

You may not hear much until we're heading home.

That's usually because we're busy climbing, exploring, answering seventeen questions about a mushroom, helping somebody navigate a big feeling, or simply being present with the children.

Being with them will always come before being on our phones.

If something important happens or there's something you need to know right away, you'll hear from us.

We don't expect home and Forest Saplings to look exactly the same.

Children are wonderfully capable of understanding that different places have different routines.

What matters is that the important adults in their lives are working toward the same goals.

If you're potty training, we'll cheer them on too.

If you're encouraging more independence, we'll wait patiently while they wrestle with that stubborn zipper.

If they're working on boundaries, communication, or handling big emotions, we can support those skills while they're with us.

Those tiny successes add up.

Please do.

Wondering why we chose a particular adventure?

Curious about something your child has been doing?

Need ideas for exploring Colorado with a toddler?

Looking for a children's book recommendation?

Want to know what waterproof hiking shoes have survived the Forest Saplings field test?

Ask.

If we know, we'll share what we've learned.

If we don't?

We'll figure it out together.

Working with children for a very long time has taught me many things.

One of the biggest is that nobody has all the answers.

And anyone who claims they do has probably never tried reasoning with a tired three-year-old.

Kindness is one of the roots Forest Saplings grows from.

That applies to children.

And adults.

We promise to communicate honestly.

To listen.

To celebrate the exciting things with you.

To come to you when we have concerns.

To answer questions.

To treat your family with kindness and respect.

And to remember that we're all humans doing our best.

We ask for the same in return.

There will occasionally be misunderstandings.

Plans will change.

Someone will forget something.

And Colorado will inevitably decide to Colorado at the least convenient possible moment.

When we approach each other with respect and a little grace, those moments are much easier to navigate.

One of the things we didn't fully expect when Forest Saplings began was the community that would grow around it.

The children build real friendships.

Families get to know other families going through the same season of life.

People swap recommendations, celebrate milestones, help one another, and sometimes build friendships that extend far beyond Forest Saplings.

We love that.

Because we don't want Forest Saplings to feel like a transaction.

We want it to feel like a community.

A place where children know they belong.

And where their parents know they belong too.

The greatest adventures begin with trust.

When parents see pictures of our Saplings climbing rocks, balancing on logs, splashing through creeks, hiking trails, and exploring Colorado, it's completely reasonable to wonder:

“How do you keep them safe?”

The answer starts with understanding that there's a big difference between risk and danger.

Danger is something a young child can't reasonably understand or recognize on their own.

Healthy risk is something a child can learn to navigate with guidance, practice, and support.

Stepping across a shallow creek.

Balancing on a log.

Climbing a rock.

Learning where to put their feet.

Trying something that feels a little challenging.

Waiting while a friend climbs first.

Those experiences aren't things we want to remove from childhood.

They're opportunities to build confidence, judgment, coordination, and an understanding of what their bodies can do.

Our job isn't to eliminate every challenge.

It's to help children learn how to navigate challenges safely.

Before every adventure, we ask one important question:

Is this the safest and best choice for this particular group of children today?

We consider the weather, air quality, road and trail conditions, crowds, emergency access, and most importantly, the ages, abilities, and needs of the children who are with us that day.

If something doesn't feel right?

We change the plan.

There will always be another trail.

Another creek.

Another museum.

Another adventure.

No destination is more important than the children in our care.

Colorado is beautiful.

Colorado is also slightly unhinged.

A gorgeous morning can become an afternoon thunderstorm.

Wildfire smoke can move into an area unexpectedly.

Mountain roads can be affected by flooding, rockslides, accidents, or closures.

So checking conditions isn't something we do once in the morning and forget about.

We continue paying attention throughout the day.

We monitor weather forecasts, air quality, road conditions, wildfire and smoke activity, and local emergency information that could affect where we're going or how we get there.

And one of the biggest advantages of Forest Saplings is:

We're mobile.

If conditions change, so can we.

A creek day can become an aquarium day.

A hike can become a museum adventure.

A playground can become an afternoon at the library.

The destination changes.

The adventure doesn't.

Flexibility isn't just part of our philosophy.

It's part of how we keep our Saplings safe.

Confidence doesn't grow because an adult removes every difficult thing from a child's path.

It grows when a child gets to discover:

“I can do this.”

Maybe that's crossing a little stream.

Climbing one rock higher than last time.

Walking farther than they thought they could.

Learning how to use a walking stick safely.

Or simply trying something new.

We're nearby.

We're watching.

We're encouraging.

We're ready to step in when we're needed.

But we're also willing to step back when a child is capable of taking that next step themselves.

We don't push children into challenges they're not ready for.

And we don't automatically rescue them from challenges they are ready for.

We meet them where they are and help them grow from there.

Dirty clothes?

Expected.

Muddy shoes?

Almost guaranteed.

Sticky fingers after lunch?

Probably.

Leaves in pockets?

Absolutely.

But underneath all that glorious childhood grime, health and cleanliness still matter.

We practice regular handwashing, especially before meals and after restroom or diaper changes.

Diapering is handled with care, dignity, and attention to cleanliness.

Equipment is cleaned and sanitized as needed.

We work to reduce the spread of illness while still allowing children to fully participate in the messy, hands-on work of childhood.

Mud is welcome. Germ conventions are not.

We hope most of our emergencies continue to involve disputes over whose stick is clearly the superior stick.

But we're prepared for the things that actually matter.

Our adult guides maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications.

Emergency contact information travels with us.

First-aid supplies are readily available.

Children ride in age- and size-appropriate car seats or boosters that are properly installed and used correctly.

Our vehicles are regularly maintained because when your classroom travels around Colorado, reliable transportation is part of the safety plan too.

Preparation means that if something unexpected happens, we can focus on the children instead of figuring out what we should have brought with us.

Safety isn't one-size-fits-all because children aren't one-size-fits-all.

One child may scramble confidently over rocks while another wants to hold a hand.

One may charge toward the creek while another watches from the bank first.

One loves bugs.

Another would like the bugs formally notified that personal space is important.

There isn't a “right” way to be adventurous.

We consider each child's age, development, abilities, confidence, and comfort level.

Children aren't competing with each other.

We're helping each child safely discover what they can do.