Website: https://farmhousekindergarden.com/
Farmhouse Kindergarden LLC is a nature-based preschool and outdoor early childhood education program in Nashville, Tennessee, serving children ages 3 to 6. Described as “a true nature preschool where children have the freedom to learn, play, run, and explore in the meadows, hills and forests,” the program centers on play-based, outdoor learning on a large farm property in the West Nashville area near the Cumberland River ecosystem.
Services
Farmhouse Kindergarden offers a play-based outdoor education program for children ages 3-6. Daily activities include:
- Extensive outdoor time on the property
- Hiking and nature exploration with an emergent curriculum based on children’s interests
- Gardening using organic methods
- Foraging for wild plants
- Farm-life experiences such as feeding animals, observing livestock, and egg incubation
- Reading and math instruction
- Natural arts and creative projects with loose parts
- A rest period after lunch
- Journal writing and documentation
The program uses The Wild Learning curriculum, described as “a story based, hands on guide that will travel with us around the farm and weave nature exploration into contextualized learning,” integrating literacy and math skills through outdoor, sensory-rich activities. The school cites its three core principles: “We take care of ourselves. We take care of each other. We take care of our environment,” and states that “Nature is Our Classroom.”
A typical school day runs from 9:00am to 2:00pm and follows a routine of: 9:00 arrival, handcrafts, and garden and goat chores; 9:45 circle time with songs, stories, and shares; 10:00 hiking, farm exploration, and foraging integrated with the Wild Math and Wild Reading curriculum; 12:00 lunch; 12:30 quiet time with books and nature journaling; 1:00 arts and free play; and 2:00 dismissal.
An after-school “Farmer Friends” program, led by Allison and Zack Tomlinson, aims to “inspire kids to connect with animals, develop hands-on farming skills, and cultivate a love for agriculture.” It runs from 2:00 to 3:00pm on Tuesdays and Fridays and from 2:00 to 4:00pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
About
The school’s philosophy holds that “long stretches of time spent in nature with friends builds a strong foundation for learning,” and references research from pediatric occupational therapist Angela Hanscom on the importance of outdoor play for child development. The program’s stated mission is developing independence, self-confidence, and resilience through outdoor learning. Much of the programming takes place outdoors on a 300-acre property that features River Run Farm. The school describes itself as an inclusive program, stating that “Nature is for everyone. Farmhouse is an inclusive program that celebrates diversity” and nurtures diverse abilities.
The founder and director is Liz Meeks, a Nashville native with 12 years of experience in nature-based early childhood education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Appalachian State University and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from East Tennessee State University (2018). Her teaching incorporates farming, gardening, and herbalism; she states, “I believe that the natural world is a vital backdrop for educating young children.” The after-school program is led by Allison Tomlinson, whose background includes 4-H, FFA, and work on farms and at a zoo, and Zack Tomlinson, a Tennessee native and farm manager.
Location & Contact
Farmhouse Kindergarden is located in West Nashville, Tennessee.
- Email: [email protected]
Additional Information
The program serves children ages 3 to 6 and operates Tuesday through Friday. For the 2025-2026 school year, the program runs from September 2, 2025 to May 22, 2026, with an optional June session, and breaks noted for fall, Thanksgiving, winter, and spring. Listed tuition options include four-day attendance at $1,040 per month (or three installments of $3,120) and two-day attendance at $530 per month (or three installments of $1,590). The site also notes the 2026-2027 school year begins Tuesday, September 1st, with enrollment open. Prospective families are directed to use the website contact form to schedule a tour and begin enrollment. The website includes pages covering the program, a day at Farmhouse, the educators, and the school-year program. A physical address and phone number are not listed on the site.
Profile compiled from the company’s official website (farmhousekindergarden.com).