Nature-Based Early Childhood Education Programs:

• Ages 3-7 - NEW FOR SUMMER 2025! Farm School Summer Session

• Ages 0-5 - Little Sprouts

• Ages 3-4 - Nature Play Preschool

• Ages 4-6 - Farm School Kindergarten

• Ages 6-12 - Homeschool Enrichment

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Mission:

Farm School by the Sea offers nature-based early childhood education programs that foster connections with nature, community, and self. Through hands-on learning, seasonal exploration, and play, we nurture curiosity, resilience, and environmental stewardship, empowering children to grow as thoughtful, capable, and compassionate individuals.​

Located at Seahorse Stables Equestrian along the Cape Fear coast, students have the unique opportunity to explore and learn about the natural world around them among 12-acres of pastures, pine forests, coastal habitats, and barnyard friends.

 

Core Values:

• Nature Connection

• Play-based Education 

• Community Building 

• Place-based Programming

• Environmental Literacy & Stewardship

• Emergent, Inquiry-based and Child-led Learning 

• Whole-child Development – Physical, Socio-emotional, and Cognitive​

 

Curriculum:

The Farm School curriculum is guided by seasonal patterns and offers developmentally appropriate lessons in phonics, literacy, math, science, art, and social studies. Our unique farm setting provides students with practical, hands-on experiences, cultivating a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of life on the farm. Skilled educators nurture the whole child by fostering growth across physical, emotional, social, and cognitive domains, creating an environment that values curiosity, resilience, and self-discovery. The low teacher to student ratio allows for an individual approach to each child’s developmental needs.

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General Information:

Location:  Seahorse Stables -1280 Hill Valley Walk

2024-25 Year:  September 16, 2024 - May 23, 2025 (32 weeks)

2025 Summer Session:  June 2-27, 2025

2025-26 Year:  September 8, 2025 - May 22, 2026 (33 weeks)

(see our calendar for holidays & teacher workdays)

Daily Options:  Please scroll down for more information on program offerings by age.​

Interested in learning more? Contact Us to schedule a farm tour or join us for a trial day!

 

2025-26 Tuition & Fees:

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• Children entering Farm School must be between the ages of 3-12 and able to toilet independently.

• Application fees are due at the time of registration and are non-refundable.

• Application fees are waived for currently enrolled families re-enrolling for the new year.

• *Enrollment fees hold your child's place on our roster and are non-refundable.

• Supplies fees are due August 1, 2025.

• Nature Play Preschool and Farm School families enrolling multiple children receive a sibling discount of $200 each year. Summer session families receive a $25 discount per family, per week.

• **Yearly cost must be paid in full on or before August 1, 2025 and does not include application, enrollment, or supplies fees.

• ***Monthly payments are invoiced for 10 months beginning August 1, 2025, ending May 1, 2026. A processing fee is included for monthly payments. 

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Interested in joining us? Please click the link below to register.

We offer school tours and trial days by appointment only.

School tours are included with your application fee. Trial days are $60 per child.

Click Here for the Enrollment Checklist

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