About Us
Our Beginning
Nature's Schoolhouse Network began as the Little Blue Barn in Melbourne, FL in the Fall of 2020. The founder Ms. Rachel Roper and Diane Young, put countless hours of work and lots of love to make this dream a reality. For the first two years we followed the Florida Nature Guide, so our studies were focused on Florida's natural surroundings.
We are beautifully located under old oak trees, safely set behind a church, between another church and a school.
**We are a secular program**
West Melbourne
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide a safe environment for children to learn and play in nature. Along with providing a service to our community, we hope to help nurture a deep relationship between our students and nature, so they are motivated to help protect our planet as adults.
Among many things, we value kindness, respect, inclusion, and environmental stewardship.
~Ours is a place where childhood is protected~
In a world that is pressing children to grow up too quickly, we are an oasis where children can come play and learn in nature and simply be children.
**Note: We are a secular program. The personal beliefs (religious, political, etc.) of our educators will never be influenced upon your children.
Our Curriculum & Activities
We follow Blossom and Root curriculum. Families will have the option of purchasing the curriculum and aligning with our studies or simply using us as an enrichment program.
We will keep each student's work in a folder and send it home at both Winter Break and Summer Break.
Every day will include hands-on learning, literacy skills practice, and nature studies. In between focused lessons, children will have ample time to play outside, garden, dig, climb, and simply be a child!
Our day runs from 9:00- 2:00. Aftercare is offered Monday & Wednesday until 4:00 for $10/day.
Hear what our loyal families have to say about us!
Reviews
"I can't say enough great things about The Nature's School House. Mrs. Rachel has truly brought her love and vision for holistic learning to Brevard! From mud kitchens to learning empathy through role playing and everything else in between you can't go wrong with having your children get to experience the joy of learning through play with Ms. Rachel and her group of amazing teachers. "
- SS
"Our children have known and loved Ms. Rachel and Ms. Diane since early 2019. These two have more love and kindness than any other educator my children have ever had. This is why we are so passionate about Nature's Schoolhouse Network (previously known as the Little Blue Barn). Along with academics, NSN encourages risky play, teaches independence, conflict resolution, and shows love and connection to every child in their program. After my oldest son's first year at NSN, he was showing math and literacy skills one grade level ahead. When he was evaluated, the evaluator commented how well documented and prepared his portfolio was. It was obvious how much he had learned that year. Children require connection, love, support, and to be nurtured and guided. These positive interactions with your children shape the future. Ms. Rachel and Ms. Diane offer all of this and more!"
- Dana W.
A note from one parent:
"I occasionally get overwhelmed with gratitude for the program you've created for these kids, and I just wanted to share that with you. You should know what an important impact you are having on the lives of these children. I can't imagine what we would be doing for J if it weren't for Nature's Schoolhouse. It works perfectly to fill the gaps in what I can provide at home.
I became so discouraged as a public and private school teacher when I realized how restricted teachers are in a traditional setting and how difficult it has become for even the very best teachers to do what is best for their students. Additionally, I had concerns about kids' overall loss of freedom to roam and play outside these days. I fretted about my future children and their educational foundation options for years before they were even born. Homeschooling didn't seem like a great option for us because I didn't want my kids stuck at home every day under the helicopter supervision of their mom.
Nature's Schoolhouse quelled all of my concerns about how to provide the best education possible. It allows J to have some independence from me, make good friends, be active and creative outside, learn from other adults teaching styles, practice social skills, learn how to operate in a group where he's not the center of attention, time and space to behave like a kid with other kids, and have enriching educational experiences I can't provide in our living room. It perfectly rounds out his educational experience! A couple days at Nature's Schoolhouse and a couple days doing individualized instruction with me at home is absolutely ideal and I could not do homeschooling so well without your program.
I cannot believe our luck in being in the free state of Florida, in the great county of Brevard with so many wonderful homeschool programs and access to the PEP scholarship funds to help us afford it. You are part of the beginning of a powerful educational movement and the positive effects of this will follow these children all of their lives even affecting future generations. From my perspective, Nature's Schoolhouse is an everyday miracle. Thank you for starting this program and for continuing this program another year. It is so important for so many families. " -J.P.