Easiest review I've ever written, if I could give 6 stars, I would. The educators and the school's approach to social emotional development is beyond what I could've hoped for my kiddo. Not only is my son developing and flourishing, I am a better parent because of what I have learned. The element of being in the forest is so beautiful and unique. My kiddo was confused at first "how a school could be closed on the weekend if there are no doors" :), but I've grown to really adore the benefits of a fully outdoor school. From pointing out where sour grass is in abundance to spotting dark-eyed junkos, my son has a beautiful appreciation for the natural world around him that is not something that I would've instilled in him. They have a book station, a "mud" kitchen, and sometimes structured art activities (and I can't speak to what they do in the older classes yet), but I love that the majority of their play is imaginative. There is space to run, climb, and explore. The educators really follow the lead of the kids interests too and bring in books, conversation, art within that space. I am grateful to have stumbled upon such a magical, intentional place. It is a community that we are so glad to be a part of and couldn't imagine life without. read more

Parks Plus Creation - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Our family couldn't be happier with Spire School, a fully outdoor forest preschool based in the Presidio. Our son has been in pre-school for two years and we've loved the program's play-based, emergent curriculum deeply rooted in nature connection. Our son was timid and introverted when he started this program and it's amazing to see his physical and emotional confidence build through exploring in nature and experiencing the physical range of weather. What most struck me was the growth in the expansiveness of his imagination through the program which was an unexpected outcome. Watching his ability to play imaginatively within the constraints of the nature classrooms has been amazing to watch. I've also been so impressed by the quality of the educators at Spire. Teacher Kristyn, in particular, is so intentional about how she uses the outdoor environment to develop the various components of early childhood education. She's very clear how she uses various parts of the forest to work on fine or gross motor skills, for example, or how she engages the children in various play-based scenarios and activities to work on cognitive function or various interpersonal skills. The school is also very flexible, inclusive and supportive of families. The lack of rigidity in the school has been a huge plus for us. They are very supportive of each child's individuality and focus their time on adapting to each child's unique interests and needs. The school has a very low student to teacher ratio so the level of individualized support and the depth of relationships is wonderful. I feel very grateful to live in a place like San Francisco where the weather allows for a school like this. I figure my son has years of sitting inside at a desk so why not let him spend as much time outside in his early school years as possible. Nature is powerful and healing. read more

Parks Plus Creation - Muddy day in the Presidio - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Spire is an exceptional fully outdoor preschool that excels in nature connection and social-emotional learning through responsive language and teaching practices. Spire/Parks plus creation is one of the first forest preschools in San Francisco, and as a result, they really know what they are doing on many levels. This review is coming from a mom of active twin boys. I also hold a masters in early childhood education and taught at a prominent preschool in San Francisco for a decade, which speaks to my passion for the importance of these early years-- This program is truly top-notch. All the educators our boys have had are fantastic which speaks to Megan and Mark's leadership of the school and their ability to both hire kind, passionate teachers as well as their ability to lead with love and kindness and to train their teachers mindfully. Having administrators that are also parents whose children also went through the program, as well as being current teachers at the school, is a major benefit. Megan and Mark can relate to both parents and teachers on many levels as a result of these combined experiences and involvement. Spire is a unique and creative program that truly partners with families. We couldn't be happier with the 3 years our children, and all the children in the program, have been nurtured and am amazed at all they have learned. They have developed critical thinking skills through their ongoing classroom projects, life & social emotional skills, and deep nature connection. We love this community and all the teachers' passion for learning alongside children outdoors. As we move on to Kindergarten in fall of 2026 we plan to stay connected to Spire as we have been parenting less alone in this community and highly recommend sending your young child here as they will love going to school every day. read more

Parks Plus Creation - Our boys pretending to be a family of hawks one morning at drop off with a friend in their class (who is not pictured). - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

When I applied to Spire School for my 2 year old, I hoped she'd develop her social skills, and grow her confidence and strength through interaction with nature. After 3 years in the program, we've certainly achieved those goals, and so much more! Not only is she an expert at climbing trees and identifying the native plants and animals of the presidio, she's also developed incredible conflict resolution skills, empathy for others, and strong early literacy. Plus, our whole family has been enriched by the wonderful school community, and we've all deepened our connection with nature. I cannot speak highly enough of the caring teachers and staff. The organization and attention to detail of the whole school team is top-notch, and we've always felt confident in their policies and safety protocols. Spire School is an absolute gem, and we feel so fortunate to have found our preschool home here. read more

Parks Plus Creation - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

Our child has attended Park Plus Creation's Spire School for two years and absolutely loves it! This is our third forest school in San Francisco (the other two closed) and it is by far the best. Her teachers are kind, very knowledgable about child development, and so intentional with how they guide the children through the day, the year and the program as a whole. I have no doubt that she is well prepared for success in kindergarten! And there is something truly magical about going to preschool every day in a national park. Her joy in playing in the Presidio every day lights up all our lives! read more

We love Spire! So happy we found this forest school. The staff is amazing and the locations in the Presidio are beautiful. We're so impressed with the program and highly recommend it. read more

Spire School has been one of the best decisions we've made for our family. 2 of our children (soon to be 3!) have attended, and they genuinely love going to school every day. It's not just "cute outdoor play"--it's a beautifully designed learning environment that builds confidence, imagination, and emotional maturity . Our kids have learned to navigate friendships, manage big feelings, and build independence, all while climbing, hiking, creating, and exploring the forest. We've been amazed by how much they've grown socially and emotionally through the program. They come home with stories about forts, trails, insects, mud kitchens, and elaborate pretend games that go on for weeks. The staff is outstanding. The teachers are calm, capable, and incredibly attuned to each child. They strike the perfect balance between giving kids freedom and providing gentle structure and support. The community is also wonderful--supportive, grounded families who really value childhood and nature connection. Spire is truly a gem in San Francisco. read more

Our son has been at Spire School for the past 2 years and we couldn't be happier. The teachers are exceptional -- warm, attentive, and deeply skilled at fostering social-emotional growth in a way that feels completely natural. Every day he comes home happy and full of stories about his Presidio adventures. The school helps children develop true character and confidence, learning some of life's most valuable skills (resilience, independent, agency, conflict resolution, and much more). The parent community is wonderful too. It's truly feels like a village in this busy city. For anyone on the fence about outdoor school, I too was cautious initially, but am now convinced this is probably the happiest preschool experience imaginable. read more

Parks Plus Creation - An every day wildlife sighting in the classroom - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

We feel incredibly lucky to have found Spire School. Both of our children have absolutely thrived there, and it's hard to imagine a better early childhood experience than spending their days outdoors in the Presidio. Every pickup comes with muddy clothes, rosy cheeks, and endless stories about what they discovered, built, or imagined that day. What we've loved most is how naturally Spire supports confidence, independence, and resilience. Our kids have learned how to take appropriate risks, solve problems with their peers, and stay engaged even when the weather isn't perfect. It's amazing to see how capable they've become simply by being trusted to explore and move through nature every day. The teachers are truly exceptional--warm, attentive, and deeply intentional. You can feel how much care goes into the program, and how thoughtfully they use the environment to encourage creativity, social-emotional growth, and curiosity. Spire feels like a rare combination of joyful childhood freedom and skilled, structured guidance. We recommend it without hesitation. read more

My children have attended a variety of preschools, each very good, but none have teachers as caring, nurturing, and present as the ones at Spire School. And the families are warm and generous, making you feel like part of a real community. Take advantage of this time in your child's life by enrolling them in a school that can exist almost nowhere else in the country. Or if you want to get your feet wet, try one of their summer camps, or smaller programs for very small kids. read more

Parks Plus Creation - Preschools Near Me - San Francisco, California

Spire school is truly something special. The teachers bring a deep well of knowledge of both early childhood development and the natural world, and learning is rooted in meaningful daily connection to nature. The school is intentional about equity and social emotional learning--these values are embedded in the culture, not treated as extras. We have seen our daughter grow tremendously in confidence, curiosity and resilience, supported by a warm, engaged, and caring school community. As the only forest school program located in the Presidio, it offers a truly unique environment for children to learn and grow in. read more

Spire is a true gem in San Francisco, and we would wholeheartedly recommend it to any family looking for a warm, deeply caring, and thoughtfully run outdoor preschool. From day one, Spire felt like a place that truly understands and honors childhood. Our son has learned so much about himself and the world around him through his time at Spire--learning to take appropriate risks, communicate and respect boundaries, and self-regulate. He has grown leaps and bounds in confidence, curiosity, and resilience, and is genuinely happy and thriving. The teachers at Spire are extraordinary: they are genuinely kind, caring, and nurturing; and the program itself is impressively well run and organized. We've always felt supported, informed, and cared for as a family. Being based in the Presidio makes the school experience even more magical: it's stunning, peaceful, feels incredibly safe, and its quite honestly one of the most beautiful places in the world. It's hard to imagine a more idyllic setting for young children to be spending their days. We feel so lucky to have found Spire, and so grateful to be part of this community. read more

Spire School has been amazing for our 5yr old twins and our family. The educators make nature such an awesome place to learn and they really embrace childhood. I would recommend Spire to any families looking for educators that genuinely care about their students, the growth of their students and enjoy being in a wonderful nature space for the school day. read more

My son took three different series of classes and camps here when he was three and four years old, before I sent him off to his one year of preschool at Neighborhood Playgarden. Parks Plus Creation was the perfect stepping stone for him moving away from all of his time with me to three hours away from me at a time (with Parks Plus Creation) to eventually four and five hours away from me during his year of preschool. At the time, their programs were outside in either Golden Gate Park or the Presidio. In his last camp at the Presidio they buried a time capsule with personal notes to their future selves, which he still happily recalls and talks of. I really felt like I could trust these people (who were essentially strangers to me) with my precious boy, and that says a lot. read more

We enrolled our son in the Winter Coyote Camp with Parks Plus Creation last year and cannot recommend it enough. It's a unique program that allows children to play outdoors all day - rain or shine - where their imaginations (and little bodies) can run wild. Everyday my son would come home exhausted and dirty, but with the biggest smile on his face. He would tell us about the "oven" and "fort" he built using rocks and sticks with his friends, the names of plants and insects the class found along their hike. It's been a couple of months since Winter Coyote Camp has ended, but our son still sings the songs he learned and talks about going back to camp. On top of all this, the teachers and staff at Parks Plus are all enthusiastic, dedicated and make learning fun! read more

This is a hidden treasure in the Presidio. Both of my children enjoyed many days filled with adventures at Parks + Creation. They never want to miss a day at their "Spire School". Both of them LOVE Megan and Ilana. At pickup time, we are greeted with big smiles and dirty faces, with exciting stories about the "Octopus" and "Mr. Raccoon", and with artwork made of sticks, clay and paint. Megan and Ilana are very warm and kind with all children, funny and knowledgable, calm and full of creativity. They taught them respect for nature and for each other. They helped them solve their conflicts and reflect on what they enjoyed the most or challenged them. Parks + Creation is inspired by Reggio Emilia. In every regard, we could not be happier with this wonderful program for preschool children. read more

This was my son's first year of summer camps. He's 5.5. He did Parks Creation's Coyote Camp for two weeks this summer, full-day program. He was one of the older kids in the class, as the camp is for 3-6 year olds. When we dropped him off the first day, he was pretty much afraid of being in nature. He didn't have a lot of experience with it, was afraid of animals, bugs, the unknown. We didn't know how this was going to turn out, but we knew that we wanted him to be a kid and enjoy roaming the outdoors all day! He LOVED it! He came back every day completely filthy (sand, mud, food), exhausted, and with a huge smile on his face and stories to tell of what they found that day in the Presidio. It was a HUGE win for us. We loved the camp counselors and felt very comfortable with them. I'll be the first to admit that I can be a bit of a paranoid helicopter mom. "Where will they go to the bathroom?" "What if he gets scared?" "What if they lose him?" "What if they encounter a coyote?". All of these thoughts came into my head, but it was all useless anxiety. The staff at Parks Plus Creation have done this year over year, they had an excellent system, they knew how to handle themselves and how to manage the kids. I could not have asked for a better experience for my son or for me. I dropped him off every day knowing that it would be a good one. read more

Seriously the best outdoor camp in San Francisco. You cannot find better a more memorable way for your child to spend their summer in overcast SF. No other camp has the same level of dedicated teachers and the amazing ratios of teacher to student. My daughter who is now 5 and started at 3 in the summer camp has serious separation anxiety even through her first 2 years of preschool where she had seen since birth when we dropped her older brother, but here with the caring teachers, her separation anxiety dissolved easily even for one week camps! She eagerly looks forward to their summer camp and will be sad when she ages out after next year! Despite their expansion over the years, the founders Megan and Ilana have been able to hire high quality teachers. Every child should be lucky enough to participate. read more

Ilana hosted my daughters 4th birthday party this past weekend. It was a magical experience! I had no idea what to expect. We were blown away! The children (and adults) had a wonderful time. We met in the Presidio where our guides Ilana and Gia led us on a short hike to an enchanted forest complete with fairy dust along the way. The enchanted forest was a beautiful, enclosed redwood grove where the children could build forts, collages, climb trees, catch bugs and play. After about 1 hour and 15 mins we headed back to where we began and had cupcakes picnic style. It was the easiest birthday party I've hosted. All we had to bring were the kids and the cupcakes :) I am looking forward to experiencing their after school programs and camps. I will be telling everyone I know about them. read more

My son's experience at Parks + Creation was nothing but amazing. I was hesitant at first because it was his first camp experience. After the first day I felt comfortable. Ilana and Megan are two of the most attentive caring teachers/counselors. After each day my son told me of his adventures: Hiking, building forts, arts and nature. My son learned to be more caring towards his environment as well as his friends. When we planned our summer we only had time for him to attend one week. I wish I had planned on two weeks instead. Bravo to these ladies for providing such an enriching experience for this age group. read more

This is the most amazing program! We knew Ilana and Megan from the Rosenberg school and always thought they were gifted teachers. We had a chance to check out Parks + Creation last September while we were gearing up for a move to the east bay. My 5-year-old son was in-between schools for 4 weeks until we moved and I was struggling to get the house packed up as well as care for my one-year-old. Parks + Creation was a miracle for our family! My son went five mornings a week and loved it. Every day was an adventure - hiking, building forts, crafts, reading. They really encouraged his imagination and appreciation for nature and the environment. He still asks to go back to "his camp." read more

We sent our 3-year old son to 3 summer camps this summer (there were only a few in the city that accepted kids under 4 years old). This was BY FAR his favorite one. He absolutely loved going - partly because he loved being outside and playing all day long and partly because he loved the camp counselors. They are all awesome - Ilana and her whole team. They're warm, fun and they love the kids. Can't recommend this place enough. read more