Urban Green Harvest Farm School Parent Handbook

Welcome

Welcome to Urban Green Harvest Farm School! We’re so glad you’re here. Our unique outdoor program nurtures the whole child through connection with the land, collaborative community experiences, and a deeply respectful approach to education. We believe in supporting children to grow at their own pace—through hands-on homesteading, nature-based play, and interest-led learning.

Our Mission

Urban Green Harvest Farm School exists to cultivate self-reliance, curiosity, and confidence in children through nature-based, child-led learning and homesteading practices. We foster creativity, community, and respect for the natural world while helping children discover their interests and strengths in a peaceful, rural setting.

Our Methodology

Our approach is rooted in respect for the child’s innate ability to learn. We follow an emergent, interest-led model where children actively shape their day through exploration, inquiry, and play. Drawing from Sudbury philosophy, unschooling, and project-based learning, we emphasize:

• Child agency and voice

• Natural rhythms and unstructured outdoor time

• Real-life skills through homesteading and farm work

• Emotional intelligence, social development, and peaceful conflict resolution

• Mentorship across mixed-age groups

Our guiding question is always:
“What is this child showing us they’re ready for today?”

Play-Based Learning: The Science & Philosophy

Play is not a break from learning—it is the foundation of it. Research shows that play supports brain development, problem-solving, emotional regulation, creativity, and social skills. When children engage in unstructured, imaginative, and physical play, they make sense of the world in deeply meaningful ways.

“Play is the highest form of research.” —Albert Einstein

Play-based learning fosters intrinsic motivation, resilience, and self-direction. It allows children to build knowledge through experimentation and discovery rather than memorization and compliance.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, play supports cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Studies from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child show that play strengthens executive function skills critical to success in school and life—such as working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.

Outdoor Environment

We are a fully outdoor school, intentionally designed to immerse children in nature every day. Our campus includes:

• Gardens and farm fields

• Animal care areas

• Playground, trees, bike/skate path, grassy areas.

On rare occasions—such as severe weather or special projects—we use our resource room, a cozy indoor space equipped with:

• Board games & puzzles

• Art supplies & musical instruments

• Books, Montessori activities, and Waldorf-style toys

Children are welcome to bring materials from the resource room outside, so these enriching resources are accessible year-round—even during regular outdoor programming. This supports creativity, comfort, and continuity in their play and learning environment.

The vast majority of our time is spent outside, where learning is dynamic and deeply connected to the living world.

Safety & Supervision

• Maximum child-to-adult ratio: 1:12

• Staff training: CPR/First Aid, outdoor risk assessment, trauma-informed care

• Communication: Positive, respectful, and rooted in peaceful conflict resolution

Children are free to explore within safe, clearly defined boundaries. Durable shoes are encouraged, but children are welcome to go barefoot as it supports healthy development and deeper connection with the earth.

Daily Rhythm

Our schedule is flexible and child-centered. Parents may drop off or pick up anytime during our business hours.

Business Hours

Fall, Winter, Spring

• Monday–Thursday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

• Friday (Extended Day): 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Summer (June – August)

• Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Each Day Includes:

• Morning & afternoon farm chores (optional)

• Unstructured play, exploration, and child-led projects

• Breakfast provided on Fridays (Fall, Winter, Spring) and daily during Summer, served between 8:30–10:00 AM

• Farm-to-table lunch at 12:00 PM

• Snack at 2:00 PM

Children choose how to spend their day within a safe, nurturing environment.

Nutrition & Sustainability

At Urban Green Harvest, nourishing the body is as essential as nurturing the mind. We prepare farm-to-table meals made with natural and organic ingredients. Meals are made from scratch, using herbs and produce grown right on our farm.

Our Food Philosophy

• Natural and organic ingredients

• Whole, nutrient-dense foods

• Clean proteins and plant-based options

• Homemade broths, sauces, and condiments

• Filtered water always available

• Stainless steel dishware (children bring their own water bottles)

• Environmentally safe, non-toxic cleaning products

Mealtime is a shared experience that fosters connection, curiosity, and respect for where food comes from. Children often participate in growing, harvesting, and preparing food.

Sample Weekly Menu

Lunch

• Monday: Beef chili, cornbread, carrots

• Tuesday: Lentil soup, sourdough, salad

• Wednesday: Chicken veggie stir fry, brown rice

• Thursday: Baked salmon, quinoa, roasted veggies

• Friday: Farm picnic lunch (cheese, sourdough, pickled veggies, fruit)

Snack (Daily @ 2 PM): Popcorn, fresh fruits, veggies, hummus
Breakfast (Fridays only, 8:30–10 AM): Seasonal fruit, muffins, yogurt parfaits, granola, overnight oats, smoothies

Allergy Policy & Special Diets

We are a nut-aware program and avoid bringing peanuts or tree nuts to the shared table.

We offer:

• Gluten-free options

• Raw milk (with alternatives available)

Please inform us of allergies or dietary needs during enrollment. We strive to accommodate all children safely and inclusively.

What Makes Us Different

Unlike structured academic programs or indoor enrichment camps, we provide the time and space for children to think, rest, and even be bored—because boredom sparks creativity.

We support children in directing their learning and diving deeply into their interests. This nurtures:

• Autonomy

• Creativity

• Problem-solving

• Resilience

Children might choose to:

• Build shelters

• Care for animals

• Ferment vegetables

• Track wildlife

• Write plays

• Start a business

This is how self-reliant, passionate humans grow.

Enrollment & Tuition

• Ages Served: 4–12 years

• Maximum Ratio: 1:12

• Open Year-Round

• Flexible Drop-Off and Pick-Up

• Attendance Options: Daily, Weekly, Monthly, or Drop-In

Tuition Rates

Fall, Winter, Spring

• Half Day (Mon–Thurs): $40/day

• Full Day with Breakfast (Fridays): $50/day

Summer (June – August)

• Full Day (Mon–Fri, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM): $50/day

• Half Day (any 5-hour block): $40/day

Discounts

• 10% off for prepaid monthly subscriptions

Contact Information

Location: 3025 N Dalton Ln, Boise, Idaho 83704
Phone: (208) 850-3392
Email: info@urbangreenharvest.com

Thank you for being part of the Urban Green Harvest community. We look forward to a wonderful year of growth, exploration, and connection!

—The Urban Green Harvest Team