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Who leads this group?
Who leads this group?
My name is Samantha Arce, and I've been an Arizona State certified teacher since 2010. I received my bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University, and my master's degree in Instructional Leadership with an elementary math specialization from the University of Washington.
After spending 10 years in the classroom, I made the shift to being a stay-at-home parent when my son Leo was born. By founding this group, I hope to give my son a chance to connect with other children his age, and for us both to be able to learn and grow with families in our community.
Mission
Mission
Desert Sky Outdoor Co-op is seeking to:
Create a space for young children to experience high quality play and learning with their peers in a stimulating outdoor environment.
Collaborate with families who are choosing to educate their young children at home, but are looking for a supportive network of parent partners for themselves, and playmates for their children.
Philosophy
Children are instinctual, curious, and supremely capable learners. They grow their understanding of the world through play and making connections with those around them in their own unique ways and in their own good time.
Our role as educators and caregivers is to nurture children's instinctual drive to learn by providing the environment, the space, and the pace they require to thrive.
In Desert Sky's preschool playgroup, this looks like:
Environment
Environment
Children construct knowledge by exploring: touching, looking, experimenting, and questioning.
Desert Sky provides children with outdoor play areas that encourage hands-on exploration in a nature-based space. The environment is stocked with a variety of open-ended and natural materials to encourage and enhance collaboration, imaginative play, and problem solving.
Space
Space
Children need space to try new or challenging things; they need room for mistakes and the time to problem-solve. They need chances to be the decision maker, and opportunities to exercise independence.
Desert Sky protects children's autonomy; the ability to direct their play and immerse themselves in activities of their choice with minimal interruptions or distractions from adults.
Pace
Pace
Desert Sky allows children to set their own pace; they are free to explore as much or as little of the environment and available materials as they wish.
We follow an "observe first, intervene when necessary" approach, in order to give children the right amount of support at the right moment to help strengthen their social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development.
Future Plans
As a former elementary school teacher, my plan as the founder of Desert Sky Outdoor is to grow from a play-based group for toddlers and their caregivers to a small, hybrid private school. Each semester we will take steps towards our inaugural class of kindergarteners, gradually transitioning kiddos to longer blocks of learning time.
I say "hybrid" private school for two reasons. First, at Desert Sky Outdoor School, parents will have the option to design their children's school schedule to fit their lifestyle, choosing between attending 2, 3, or 4 days per week. Second, parents who have a desire to homeschool, but wish to do so with more support, can choose between a co-op style of education (in which a caregiver attends with their child to support their learning alongside the teacher) or a drop-off style of education more typical in elementary schools (in which the teacher is responsible for supporting learning).
Phase 1: Opened Spring 2023
Accepted children aged 18 months-3 yrs and their caregivers
Met Thursdays for 2.5 hrs
Extensive free play
Phase 2: Fall 2023
Accepted previously enrolled children or those aged 2-3 yrs and their caregivers
Choice to meet 1 or 2 days (Tuesday, Thursday) for 3 hrs
Extensive free play, with optional projects/teacher led explorations
Phase 3: Spring 2024
Accepting previously enrolled children or those 2-5 yrs and their caregivers
May accept up to 4 children aged 2.5-4yrs without caregivers present, must be potty trained
Choice to meet 1 or 2 days (Tuesday, Thursday) for 3 hrs
Extensive free play & teacher led explorations
Phase 4: Fall 2024/Spring 2025
Accepted previously enrolled children or those 2-5 yrs and their caregivers
Choice to meet 1 or 2 days per week (Tuesday, Thursday) for 3 hours
Hosted an intentional math focused play period & classes in art, music, pe, and engineering.
Extensive free play: 2/3 of our day is PLAY! 1/3 is developmentally appropriate class time.
Phase 5: Fall 2025 and beyond
Blending a toddler/preschool focus with an elementary focus, beginning with kindergarten in 2025 and continuing through 5th grade, and eventually beyond.
Taught by passionate caregivers, who are experts in their chosen areas.
Homeschooling parents may enroll their children in Desert Sky to complement their home instruction
Accepting previously enrolled children or those 4-6 yrs in 2025
Choice to meet 1 or 2 days per week from 9am-2pm on Tuesdays and 9am-11:30am on Thursdays.
Will offer math play, science, spanish, literacy, social emotional skills, and art
Monthly dues can be covered through Arizona ESA; help will be provided for enrolled families looking to secure this funding.
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