***COMING SOON***

Fostering whole-child development through play-based exploration of art, music, and the natural world.

Nature Driven Learning

Children are capable, curious, and full of potential. My approach honors their innate sense of wonder, allowing them to take an active role in their learning journey. Whether caring for animals, going on a bug-hunt, wandering through the forest, harvesting from the garden, creating art together, or learning to use real tools, children engage in hands-on experiences that foster curiosity, confidence, and a deep connection to the natural world. A combination of indoor and outdoor learning spaces supports whole-child development in an intimate setting.

Program Emphases

Nutrition

I take pride in providing nutritious, home-made food options for the children, relying primarily on local, seasonal, organic meat and produce and giving them ample opportunity to explore new flavors and textures.

Throughout the growing season, children engage in planting, tending, harvesting, and preparing ingredients from a large onsite organic garden. They are both learning that food has a story and experiencing the richness of eating food they are connected to through effort and care. The garden serves as a  primary outdoor learning space for most of the year. 

Creativity

It is important for children to engage in both process-focused and product-focused creative works. Process-focused creativity allows them to explore tasks or mediums, learn from each other, follow their own curiosity, collaborate, and discover the inherent joy in flow-state creativity and problem solving. To this end, children have the opportunity throughout the year to explore in a variety of outdoor spaces and to play and build with materials gathered from the surrounding forest. They also have opportunities to explore a variety of traditional creative mediums such as musical instruments, dress-up bins, clay, paints, and more! 

To support product-focused creativity, I provide a guided craft series for children in a more classical instructive environment. These seasonally-inspired crafts allow children to learn patience and practice fine motor skills while working toward a specific creative goal. This helps prepare them for more involved projects and results in high-quality crafts to bring home to their families. 

Relationship

I take great care in guiding children toward a healthy way of relating to themselves, to others, and to their environment. Through practicing respectful listening, boundary setting, and problem solving in individual and group settings, I help children become more self-aware and independent while learning to communicate their needs and experiences to others.

I also encourage children to notice the impact they have on their environment and to act intentionally. For example, regulating their speed and attention in more delicate environments, watching for trip hazards as we walk through the woods, moving carefully through the garden, caring for the school by putting their things away, and participating in cleanup.

What Parents Say

“Cassie has truly been one of the best things to happen to our family. For more than two years, she has guided our children through creative crafts, forest adventures, farm animal chores, and endless opportunities for free play. My kids ask to go to Cassie even on days we’re not there, and she has genuinely become part of our family. The artwork that comes home is frame-worthy (and has happily taken over our house!). She is absolutely magical with children and was clearly born for this work. Anyone lucky enough to send their children to her will know exactly what I mean—we feel incredibly lucky.”

-Andrea Bemis

“Cassie is an incredibly thoughtful and energetic caregiver. She creates a magical, creative space where children feel safe to explore and be themselves. Our son absolutely loves spending time with her and always looks forward to visits to her beautiful farm.”

- Jeni McKay

“If I had to sum Cassie up in one word, the word would be ‘magic’. Cassie is one of those magical adults that still has child like wonder and an energy when teaching that is infectious. Leaving my child to go back to work was really tough but knowing he was in Cassie’s care was a balm to my heart. She saw my child for the unique human that he is and adjusted her teaching according to his strengths and encouraged him in a way that taught him to believe in himself in ways that he might not have seen or developed otherwise. My kiddo loves Cassie and still to this day calls her one of his friends. I feel so fortunate for the foundation of curiosity, creativity, kindness, clear communication and guidance that he got to experience with her. To boot Cassie is a talented artist and a brilliant cook!”

-Ashley Brown

Meet Teacher Cassie

Hello and welcome! Mountain Mama Farm School is a combination of my love of learning from the natural world and my passion for early childhood development. I have over two decades of experience in child care and mentorship. Over the past ten years living in the Hood River Valley, I have worked as an artist, built a small homestead, raised my son, and continue to develop my understanding of permaculture and the joy (and challenges) of organic gardening, foraging and the like.

I love tinkering with new ways to explore myself through art, movement, and creative endeavors and find it deeply rewarding to help children explore those same avenues of expression to connect to their own rich imaginations and sense of place. 

Over the years, I have raised quail, rabbits, ducks, chickens, and pigs here on the farm. I currently have chickens and cats and have leaned into supporting other locals for my meat sources, freeing up time for backcountry adventures, skill-development, creative ventures, and my own journey of motherhood. 

I maintain active certifications in First Aid and CPR, am enrolled in the Central Background Registry, and continually educate myself on the latest research in childhood development to bring the best and most intentional care possible to the little ones in my community.

Your Questions, Answered

What is the group size at the preschool?

There will typically be 6 children in the group per day.

What if the Farm School has to close unexpectedly?

If the school has to close due to an emergency or illness, I will open up a subsequent Friday, Saturday or date night event as an optional make-up session for the families impacted.

Do you offer any services aside from the preschool program?

I do occasionally host art classes for different age groups, as well as other special “Date Night” events. Sign up with your email address to get updates about these community offerings!

What are the age range, schedule, and tuition for the program?

Age range: 3 - 5

Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 9:00am - 5pm (pickup 5-5:15pm)

Tuition:

Enrollment is offered on a monthly basis. There is a 10% discount for 6 month enrollments (Jan.-June; July-Dec.), and a 10% discount for second child enrollments. These discounts are stackable.

There are two rates for monthly enrollment:

  • $2,752/month for 4 days/wk (Mon. - Thurs.)

  • $1,500/month for 2 days/wk (Mon. & Wed, or Tues. & Thurs.)

Tuition includes high-quality, nutritious snacks and lunches, as well as the cost of materials used for educational activities and art projects.

What kinds of food do you give the kids?

I provide a variety of healthy, home-made meals and snacks relying primarily on local, seasonal, organic meat and produce. All meals are gluten free. During the growing season, children are actively involved in harvesting food from the garden to incorporate into meals for the day.

What if my child is sick?

Runny noses are part of childhood and as long as your child is otherwise in good spirits they are welcome. However, if your child is lethargic, or has vomited or had a fever, diarrhea, or other severe symptoms in the last 24hrs, please keep them home out of respect for the health of the other families.

Contact Teacher Cassie

For enrollment inquiries or more information, reach out to Teacher Cassie today!