Into The Woods Playschool

About this program

Into the Woods Playschool is Tallahassee's first forest school, offering a nature-immersive preschool experience for young children. Founded and directed by Gabrielle Johnston, a certified forest school teacher with a background in Environmental Science and over 15 years of experience working with children, the school operates on a holistic philosophy that children learn best through direct experience with the natural world. The playschool is located on the 24-acre property of Unity Eastside Church in Tallahassee, Florida, featuring designated outdoor exploration areas, miles of trails, diverse habitats, outdoor classrooms with mud kitchens, a children's garden, and native Florida landscape. The program emphasizes unstructured play, appropriate risk-taking, child-directed learning, and all-weather immersion in nature. With a low student-to-teacher ratio and staff certified in forest school methodology, the program helps children develop confidence, environmental stewardship, and school readiness through hands-on exploration and play.