Morning Program
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am-2pm
Wednesday Playgroup, 9:30am-12:00pm
Now Enrolling for Fall 2026!
We welcome up to 12 children with a minimum ratio of 1 adult to six children in our Tuesday/Thursday Morning Program.
2026 enrollment will prioritize homeschooling families of 4-8-year-olds and their younger siblings.
Homeschooling families of children ages 4+ can choose to drop off for a fee schedule that resembles our camp and afterschool session costs.
The other option is to join the co-operative, with a fee schedule based on participation agreements (see below).
For children ages 2-4 years old, parents must join the license-exempt parent cooperative and equally share the responsibility of the care of the children on site by taking on two working days per month. Parents are required to get a fingerprint clearance before starting.
Teaching parents commit to working on site two mornings per month in class. Sunbeam commits to at least one supervising staff member present for the duration of the co-op class, acting as steward of the space and helping to provide guidance and leadership.
“Teaching parent” is any adult who is an unpaid guardian or family member of the child. Per our license-exempt agreement with the state, teaching parents must be present when care is being given to young children (ages 2-4) and are responsible for fulfilling all of the care needs of the children.
An additional morning option is to join Wednesday Playgroup. A parent or caregiver is required to stay for this toddler-friendly play session designed to witness the caregiver/parents’ learning processes, inquiries and capabilities. We will invite parents to join us in land stewardship tasks and end with a talk circle and a provided snack.
Morning Program Costs
Drop-off Option
Ages 4-10
Tues and Thurs 9:30-2
Cost: $960/six-week session*
Co-operative Option
Ages 2-10
Tues and Thurs 9:30-2
Cost: $548/six-week session*
(*Sliding scale available; see enrollment page)
Enrolled drop-off families must be registered or intending to register as homeschooled via a PSA or homeschool charter.
Enrolled co-op families must attend one community event and commit to 3 total on-site teaching days per six-week session.
Morning program parents are welcome to pursue a position on the board and/or specific support roles such as admissions, facilities, finance, and communications after attending a minimum of two six-week sessions.
Education in Harmony with Nature
Mixed-ages learning is magical! Children are naturally more cooperative and growth mindset-oriented in a mixed-age group. It is humanity’s original way of learning. Children more easily develop their own sense of place, with unique roles and jobs within the group. They can be a mentor, a helper, or observer, learning through the power of modeling and through community care. The children gravitate toward their developmental interests and find like-minded peers to play with.
That said, toddlers are not yet in a realm of understanding others’ boundaries or others’ things. It is up to the adult facilitators (the co-operative parent with support from Sunbeam staff) to ensure that the older children’s endeavors are protected,. The 5-10-yr-olds are given their own space away from the tactile, impulse-driven modalities of the littles, and we often plan our group flow so that toddlers are in a separate space when the big kids are working on their projects.
Sparrows, Barn Swallows, & Ravens
Our Sparrows, the 2-4-year-olds, typically engage in movement and all things sensory: water, dirt, clay, pay dough, paint, soil, washing hands. They often parallel play next to peers or engage in attachment play with trusted mentors./ caregivers. They enjoy helping tasks.
Toddlers are not yet in a realm of understanding others’ boundaries or others’ things. It is up to the adult facilitators (the co-operative parent with support from Sunbeam staff) to ensure that the older children’s endeavors are protected,. The 4-10-yr-olds are given their own space away from the tactile, impulse-driven modalities of the littles.
Barn Swallows, 4-7-year-olds, are in an age of industry and pretend play. They engage in rich storytelling while they work on relationship skills such as communicating and understanding boundaries, emotions of self and others, and negotiating the rules of the play,
Our Ravens, 7-11, want real tools and challenges, and the opportunity to figure things out while receiving meaningful instruction and guidance. They appreciate special roles. They are working on taking on new risks and responsibilities.
Sample Schedule
9:30 Arrivals, getting settled, farm chores, child-led play and exploration
10:15 Hand washing and snack, Circle time, story and toileting
11:15 More play and small group time + adult-guided projects
12:45 Reflection Circle, Clean up
1:00 Lunch
1:30 Quiet time
Journaling, drawing and book reading
2:00 Pick up
You may also be interested in these programs.
Afternoon Program
Ages 4-11
Tuesday - Friday 1:50 - 5:30pm
Wednesdays 12:30 - 5:30pm
Seasonal Day Camps
Ages 4-11* (*3yo siblings)
Monday - Friday 9:00am - 2:00pm
extended care 2:00-5:30pm
