We signed up for Roots to Branches at the suggestion of a friend, having thought our current school was FINE. Within the first few days I was in awe of Amanda and Joe. Their gentle supportive teaching style is essential and should be the standard in working with kids. They help guide kids to be inquisitive, adventurous, and resilient. Their sweet nature and risky play helps build confidence. If you get the chance to stay for a day you get to see their inner kids come out and how much they truly enjoy what they do.
Roots to Branches preschool is simply wonderful! The teachers, Joe and Amanda, are experienced and always there to support the kids and families. Our two kids have thrived under their guidance, and we have no doubt that our third child will do the same.
The children are outside all day, learning about the world around them, caring for nature and developing important skills such as social-emotional development, risk-taking, and curiosity. Joe and Amanda have truly created a warm and welcoming community which the children love to join everyday.
If you’re looking for a local, supportive preschool with experienced teachers and an outdoor focus, Roots to Branches is the perfect choice. We highly recommend it!
Our experience with Roots to Branches was exactly the introduction to organized learning through play and exploration that we dreamed of and wished for for our children. We were not only confident that our child was being cared for in a gentle, knowledgeable, and intentional way by Joe and Amanda, we were inspired to see our child blooming in his confidence and knowledge of our local environment. We also became a part of a parenting community that reflected our values of inclusivity, exploration, creativity and kindness. We will be forever grateful for the foundation laid by Roots to Branches for our child’s future. We only wish we could continue beyond the preschool years, for both our children!
Joe and Amanda are the kind of people I want my children to be around because they’re such a positive and grounding influence. More than just care providers, they are guides to help children learn about problem-solving and social emotional learning. Their patience and care is always evident.
Amanda and Joe are the most gifted teachers we’ve ever known. Our children flourished under their care, and we became better parents by watching and learning from them. They embody peace, love, humility, courage, and respect in every interaction. I just wish they could teach all ages so we didn’t have to graduate…ever!
Amanda and Joe helped to nurture and cultivate a love and curiosity for nature in our son. They helped him to not just see nature but to feel like a part of nature. He learned to slow down and observe what was around him and ask questions about the interconnectedness of living things. The connectedness and curiosity about nature that Joe and Amanda have nurtured in our son has become a part of the way he interacts with and sees the world.
Amanda and Joe create one of the most positive learning and growing experiences for children I know of (we went to a handful of places before we landed with them). It was exactly what I wish every experience in school for my son could be like. He was fully accepted and loved just as he was, and was encouraged to grow as a little one in such tender and loving ways. Unfortunately, these two are rare, and their kindness, compassion, and presence is hard to come by. I felt very fortunate to have found them for my little one over 2 years ago. It was hard to leave their sweet and patient care! I think of these two very often and how lucky the families in the community are to have them.