Where is Barefeet Farm School?

-We are located about 5 miles Northeast of Bellingham, Washington, off of the Mt. Baker Highway. Email us to set up a tour!

Do you accept Working Connections subsidies?

-We do!

What happens if it rains?

-We put on our raincoats! Appropriate gear is necessary for enjoying our time outside together. (And if it rains during the summer, we have hot chocolate for breakfast.)

What happens if it’s freezing rain and gale force winds?

-We have a shelter with walls and a heater where we gather when it’s extra cold. We don’t have class if it’s less than 20 degrees.

Are you vaccinated for COVID-19?

-Yes, all of our staff have been fully vaccinated.

Do you charge an enrollment fee, a supply fee, or an application fee?

-No, those are covered by tuition costs.

Why Barefeet?

-When Erin was a kid, she almost never wore shoes. Even in the winter. Even in public. To “that girl is freezing! you should put some shoes on her!” Erin’s mom would reply, “you try putting shoes on her.” Barefeet is a reminder to celebrate decision making and a little bit of wildness. Having bare feet has all kinds of benefits for a person’s microbiome, mental health, balance, and spirit.

What’s your discipline strategy?

-Conflict is part of community. We empower kids to work through their conflicts by speaking to each other and listening to their own emotions. Some kids need more support to reach this point than others, which is a normal part of development. This support may look like taking centering breaks, deep breaths, 1:1 adult support, conversation modeling, and more. Being out of control feels bad for everyone, and we support kids to learn how to stay in control.

-Kids learn what they see, what they experience. We have teachers at school to create a safe container for play. In our community, the adults are energetically sturdy so that the kids can be free and flexible in their learning. It is taxing for young kids to have to be the strong ones in a community and it often comes out sideways in out-of-control behaviors. Teachers work to be conscious of their emotions- it is so much harder for kids to regulate if their adults aren’t regulated. In this way, our discipline strategy is preventative and ongoing.

What do you do all day?

-We play! That really is mostly it. We provide tools and an environment that supports different kids of learning through play, and the kids take it from there. We read books and sing songs together every day as a group. To learn more about self-directed play and its benefits, visit our Resources and Inspiration page.

But will my kid be ready for kindergarten?

-Will kindergarten be ready for them? When children are supported to be confident communicators and curious investigators, they will be ready to learn how to read and write. When their muscles have tumbled and ran and stretched, they will be ready to sit in chairs. We don’t get them ready for kindergarten by starting kindergarten earlier, but rather by supporting the skills they need to enter kindergarten, or whatever happens next for them.

Do you accept mid year registration for preschool?

-Yes, we do! There is currently space in the 2022-2023 school year and we’d love for you to join us.

Will you teach me how to start a school too?

-Yes! Visit our Coaching and Consulting page to get started.