Programs
All 3 of our programs provide children abundant time for imaginative, self-directed, cooperative play, and hands-on exploration. Experiences in literacy, math, science, art, and music are laced into our time together both indoors and outside.
By being together daily, seasonally and yearly in the forest, fields and garden, our students develop both a sense of community and their place as a part of the natural world.
You can learn more about our programs on the following pages:
Philosophy
At Acorn woven throughout everything we do is the goal of fostering kindness, curiosity, connection, resiliency, flexibility, independence, inclusion and joy.
We believe there are immense benefits from spending ample time outdoors everyday, in all sorts of weather.
We see our work as supporting children to develop the social skills of working together and solving problems as they create, imagine, and explore… doing the work of children, which is PLAY!
Our Space
At Acorn your child will spend their days in a beautiful, nature rich setting. Our bright, spacious indoor schoolhouse sits on 22 acres of forest and fields in which are nestled 8 outdoor classrooms.
In addition to these primary spaces, children take wanders through the woods, harvest wild edibles, enjoy our seasonal creek, work in our garden, play on our playground, sled down our sledding hill, and visit our neighbors’ goats.
praise from parents
ReviewsACORN Nature School
Proudly showcasing a 5-star rating on Google Reviews.
Check out our most recent feedback.
-
Margot Lystra
My family was so delighted to find Acorn Preschool! Emily was positive and thoughtful regarding our child’s personality and growth and she cultivates a wonderfully caring and communicative culture at the school. My child loved going to Acorn, and I was happy to see their evolution as a person in Emily's expert care. I highly recommend.
-
Daniel Hill
We are so grateful our child is in the magical school Emily has created! As he said in a card our child recently made for his teachers, "Thank you for my school that I love! Thank you for listening to me."
-
Segal Siri-Princz
Acorn is one of the reasons our daughter is thriving, where otherwise she was barely making it through the day. It's this place, these magical woods, staff & community, that allows her the freedom to explore, to learn, & to just, be. We are so grateful that we moved to this area and found this place so that our daughter, and whole family could heal & grow.
-
Matthew Weiss
Acorn has been an amazing influence on our daughters, helping them both develop a true sense of wonder about nature and a deep appreciation for discovery and being outside (in all kinds of weather). The teachers are all thoughtful educators who really care about the kids and their development.
-
Simcha
An absolutely delightful childcare experience. It truly changed what I now would look for in childcare, they were so above and beyond what I expected. Emotionally safe, tons of outdoor ed, great hours, many aged, and kind consistent staff. My husband and I wish WE could spend our days at acorn.
-
Teri Hornsby
Acorn is such a magical place and we are so grateful our daughter is a part of it! Watching her grow and thrive over the past two years has been so wonderful. Every day embraces a new outdoor adventure and opportunities for learning. We have so much appreciation for the dedication of Acorn's teachers and the amazing learning environment they provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
What are the requirements for enrollment?
Because large chunks of our day are spent out in the woods with no external barriers, children at Acorn need to:
- Be past the stage of needing an adult trailing them for safety.
- Generally be able to follow verbal directions.
- Generally be inclined to stick with the group.
- Be out of diapers and able to handle toileting primarily independently.
- Children enrolled in Acorn Preschool are ages 3-5.
- Children enrolled in Acorn Afterschool are in Kindergarten–2nd Grade.
- Children enrolled in Acorn Summer are ages 3-8.
-
What are the hours/schedules options?
Acorn Preschool has 2 options for start times: 8:30 and 9:00.
There are 2 options for Preschool pick-up times: 2:30 and 5:00.
We are currently only offering spots for children to come Monday–Friday.
Acorn Afterschool runs from 2:30–5:00, Monday–Friday.
Partial week schedules are possible if families match up with other partial week families to share a spot.
Acorn Summer 2025 will run June 30th – August 8th (Closed July 4th).
Our Summer program is Monday–Friday, 9:00–3:00 or 9:00–5:00. There is an option of dropping off at 8:30 for an additional fee.
-
How many children and teachers are at Acorn each day?
Between 8:30–2:30 there are up to 12 children and 3 teachers.
Between 2:30–5:00 there are up to 16 children and 2 teachers (with Acorn’s Director additionally on hand if needed).
-
How should my child dress for their day at Acorn?
Wearing the right layers and having quality gear is essential to keeping warm and dry. A detailed outline of what children need to wear (depending on the weather) can be found on our How To Dress For Acorn page.
Gearing up your child for an outdoor program can be expensive. One option is to make a financial contribution to the Acorn Gear Cooperative to borrow from our collection of clothing/gear.
-
Are snacks and lunch provided?
No. Children bring their own food and water for the day and carry it in their backpack when we go to the woods.
-
What does my child need to bring to Acorn each day?
- 1–2 healthy, hearty, protein-rich snacks (packed in containers your child can manage independently).
- A leak-proof, easy-to-manage water bottle.
- A backpack to carry the above items.
- Appropriate clothing (see the How To Dress For Acorn page for details on how to dress for Acorn).
- A complete change of clothing, labeled with their name (which can be kept at Acorn).
- Any bug spray or sunscreen you’d like re-applied during the day.
- If attending Acorn Preschool or Summer, include a hearty, protein-rich lunch (packed in manageable containers).
-
What about ticks?
Ticks are a fact of life in Ithaca and Acorn land is no exception. While we monitor children for ticks and teach them to do the same, Acorn families commit to daily tick checks at home.
Some families adopt a routine of bath time upon returning from Acorn to wash off any ticks, and parents are encouraged to do a thorough tick check before putting on pajamas.
Families should apply any preferred bug spray (and sunscreen) before the start of the day, with teachers re-applying as needed.
With daily tick checks at home, no tick will remain on your child for longer than 24 hours, greatly reducing any risk of tick-borne illness.
-
Does Acorn follow the ICSD Calendar?
Yes. A complete outline of our school calendar can be found on our Calendar page.
-
Is Acorn a licensed program?
Yes. Acorn is licensed as an In-Home Group Family Daycare by the NY State Office of Children and Family Services. License #00750921.
-
What are the tuition rates?
Acorn Preschool:
- 9:00–2:30: $1215/month
- 9:00–5:00: $1530/month
- 8:30 start time: $105/month
Acorn Afterschool: $460/month
Acorn Summer: (Runs Monday–Friday, June 30th – August 8th, Closed July 4th)
Full 6-Week Enrollment:
- 9:00–3:00: $1900
- 9:00–5:00: $2435
- 8:30 start time: $160
Weekly Rates (Partial Enrollment):
- 9:00–3:00: $385/week
- 9:00–5:00: $485/week
- 8:30 start time: $28/week
