Our Story
Our story began with a pandemic...a Pod...and a pig. Now, five years later, after a devastating fire ravaged our community, here we are....still fortunate enough to be standing and serving that community.
In 2020, Nature Meets Nurture was founded as a Pod, located in the Mount Washington area of Los Angeles by Mr. Brett and a group of parents who wanted a safe place for their children, where kids could still be kids, during the pandemic. After a successful school year it was determined that the school should continue on in the space so lovingly created by Mr. Brett and those families. Nature Meets Nurture flourished over the next three years. Now, Mr. Brett has welcomed his first born and the school has found a new home in beautiful Altadena. The location might have changed, but the principles and philosophies that the school was built on remain as it's unwavering foundation.
Mission
We are driven to create a space for children where they can nurture that which comes freely to them; A place where curiosity and connections can spark naturally in an environment crafted just for them. Where trust in oneself and one's community can be developed and imprinted the way it was meant to be during these milestone years.
​
We aspire to create a seedling village of families and caregivers who seek to build the strongest of foundations together now, with courage, determination, tolerance, and compassion for whatever is yet to come.
​
We aim to be an integral part of their community as they find themselves, when nature meets nurture.
Values
The phrase “To thine own self be true” uttered by Polonius in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, has become a mantra by which many in our society now measure their own person. At the core of this statement you will find a belief system that incorporates basic ideas about how we choose to live our lives; the belief that we can better judge ourselves when we know beyond any shadow of a doubt we have put our best selves forward in the first place; the belief that within a community, one must be honest in our relationships and in our personal ways; and the enlightened belief that we should just simply try and do the right thing. At Nature Meets Nurture, we hold steadfast to these same values and in turn hold a mantra of our own, “To PLAY be true”.
​
Play IS the work of young minds and we strive to provide a learning space that supports a realia learning philosophy. We have carefully chosen materials to stimulate the senses and provide an architectural support to the amazing outdoor environment of our school. Simply stated, the toys and the environment are provocations in and of themselves. While visiting “Timber Cove” or “The Canyon”, children will learn concepts like height, balance, mapping, and symmetry or perhaps partake in negotiations while developing leadership skills during dramatic play. The “Art Burrow” and “Mud Pit” provide opportunities that delight the senses and reinforce the notions of adaptability, cause and effect, and experimentation to name just a few. The “Cabin” offers tranquility while lending itself naturally to the development of divergent thinking and the power that lies in multiple forms of storytelling. The “Treehouse” and playscape itself ushers in gross motor and fine motor activities alike, while tackling issues surrounding subjects like physics, prediction, and directionality. Each of these spaces are meant to be aesthetically pleasing, a curriculum tool themselves, but most of all playful.
​
At the heart of Nature Meets Nurture you will find an emphasis and celebration of that magical thing we call play.
What Parents Are Saying...
My 4 year old is a NMN kiddo and I cannot be more thrilled with this blessing of a program! I can't imagine a more loving, play-filled, gorgeous, and joyful place for my little treasure. The level of care, fun, and thought that has gone into building this absolute gift to our community is next level. My husband and I are both professional educators and we have been wow'd since day 1. The teachers have their whole hearts invested in their work; the space is a kid's dream with so much to do, touch and experience; the hours/price are family friendly!
-Therese E., mom of T., 4 years old
Forming a pod with Mr. Brett was one of the best things to come out of 2020. He's not only earned our son’s friendship and respect, Brett's able to communicate with us what our little guy is thinking about and working through. Brett believes strongly in free play, imagination, positive communication, and exploration — and as a parent, you get to see these value light up your kid’s day-to-day experience. What’s maybe most impressive is that there is not “one type” of kid that Brett connects with, he’s beloved by them all.
- Rider S., dad of I., 5 years old
We were so happy to have a safe and caring environment for our five year old daughter to play, learn and grow. Brett's focus on the whole child, social and emotional growth as well as guided activities, was an amazing experience for her.
-Jonathan R., dad of O., 5 years old