Welcome to River Roots, an inviting home away from home preschool that focuses on play-based learning, social-emotional development, and a deep connection with nature. We aim to equip children for future stages in life while embracing the beauty and magic of their childhood.
At River Roots, we provide an integrated approach where children learn with the gentle embrace of Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia philosophies. Our school is dedicated to providing an inclusive and enriching environment, supporting children’s emotional, social, cognitive, and physical development.
Children at River Roots experience respect, empathy, and attunement from their teachers, supporting them to develop a strong sense of self and build confidence. We cultivate a secure base culture with the children, ensuring that each child feels safe and supported to explore and learn.
The language of children is through play. This is how they learn, explore the world around them, and develop essential life long skills. Our play-based curriculum promotes social interaction, emotion regulation, and problem-solving abilities, empowering children to express themselves and engage meaningfully with their peers and surroundings.
Integrating the Montessori method, we emphasize independence, self-directed learning, and uninterrupted time for free choice with the classroom materials. Drawing from Waldorf education, we encourage creativity, imaginative play, storytelling, and a predictable daily rhythm with an emphasis on outdoor play.
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, we embrace children’s natural curiosity and interests and weave them into our curriculum. Like the water flowing through a river, we adapt our curriculum to the children’s evolving needs and passions.
River Roots emphasizes nature, sustainability, and health. We cook our own nutritious, organic meals and engage in gardening activities where children are able to harvest and explore fresh foods grown from our school and local markets.
Our program emphasizes the outdoors where children are able to explore the gifts from nature. River Roots supports a deep connection with nature through digging in the dirt, using natural art materials, and watching the hummingbirds, lizards, ladybugs visit our school.
At River Roots Preschool, every child’s unique journey is embraced with warmth, nurtured with care and intention, and guided by their strengths to support a whole child learning experience.
Philosophy
Meet our Lead Teacher and Director
Hi, my name is Ella! River Roots has been a dream of mine for over 10 years. When I began working with young children as a preschool teacher and nanny in San Francisco, I knew right away that supporting early childhood development was my passion. I was constantly learning and filled with inspiration by the children and families that I worked with. This calling led me to pursue higher education and I attained my masters in marriage and family therapy at Santa Clara University.
As a therapist I continued to serve children and families in a one on one setting. I loved working alongside other parents as they navigated the beauties and challenges of parenthood and supporting children as they developed lifelong skills and learn about the world around them for the first time.
After moving to Sacramento, I found myself longing to combine my experiences of working with children and families and bring my dream of opening a preschool to life.
I am so excited to welcome you and your children into our home and to accompany you during this transformative time in your lives.
Qualifications:
Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy
Early Childhood Education Teaching Credentials
Bachelors in Psychology
Licensed Preschool Owner (LIC # 343626043)
CPR/First Aid Certified
Live Scan Background Clearance
Parent of 2
