Looking for an outdoor preschool for your Sherwood Manor family? Meadowlark Schools brings nature play-based learning to children across North Stockton, with our campus now open and enrolling. As a Sherwood Manor childcare option built around outdoor exploration, child-led play, and daily time in nature, Meadowlark helps children ages 6 weeks to 6 years grow into confident, curious learners. Families searching for a nature preschool in Stockton will find a warm, whole-child program just a short drive away.
Outdoor Learning at the Heart of Every Day
At Meadowlark, nature isn't an occasional activity. It's how children learn. Little ones spend meaningful time outdoors in every season, using natural spaces and materials to build, create, and discover, while teachers guide their play and weave early literacy, math, and science into real, hands-on experiences.
Our outdoor spaces are thoughtfully designed to invite exploration, imaginative play, and connection with nature. Children climb, balance, and build with open-ended natural materials, and tend a garden where they plant, care for, and harvest as they learn where food comes from. In a Stockton market full of similar-looking indoor programs, this outdoor, nature play-based focus is what sets Meadowlark apart. You can read more about our approach to nature.
Programs for Sherwood Manor Families
Our Stockton campus serves children from 6 weeks to 6 years, spanning infant, toddler, and preschool ages. Each program fits the developmental needs of that stage while sharing the same nature play-based philosophy, so growing families can stay with us through the early years.
- Infants and toddlers: nurturing, relationship-driven care with responsive routines and plenty of sensory exploration, including gentle time outdoors
- Preschool and Pre-K: child-led outdoor play, gardening, and gentle preparation for kindergarten
To keep attention individualized, our teacher-to-child ratios range from 1:4 in our youngest classrooms to 1:12 in our oldest. Explore the full picture on our programs page.
A Typical Day at Meadowlark
Every day flows a little differently, following the children's interests, but our rhythm gives families a helpful picture. Mornings begin with arrival and open exploration, followed by a circle that builds community. Children then move into extended outdoor time in our natural play spaces and garden, where much of the real learning happens.
After lunch and a rest period, afternoons bring more hands-on activities, often outdoors again, before a closing circle and departure. This balance of active and quiet, indoor and outdoor, and individual and group time helps children stay engaged, regulated, and ready to learn.
Why the Outdoors Matters So Much
Research consistently shows that nature play-based education supports children in ways manufactured playgrounds and screens simply can't. Time outdoors builds:
- Physical strength and coordination through climbing, balancing, and navigating varied terrain
- Focus and calm, since time in nature reduces stress and lifts mood
- Curiosity and problem-solving, through open-ended materials and real-world challenges
- Resilience and confidence, as children take age-appropriate, well-supervised risks and master new skills
- A love of the natural world that grows into lifelong stewardship
Our teachers are specially trained to recognize and extend these learning moments, keeping children safe while encouraging healthy risk-taking.
Why Sherwood Manor Families Choose Meadowlark
Families across our program consistently point to a few things that set Meadowlark apart:
- Daily time outdoors, rain or shine, building resilience and a love of nature
- A whole-child focus that supports emotional and social growth alongside academics
- Family-feel classrooms led by educators who build genuine relationships with each child
- Farm-to-classroom connections, including gardening and healthy, whole-food snacks
- A trusted reputation, with Meadowlark voted Best of San Benito County for five consecutive years (2021 to 2026) as we bring the same care to Stockton
Snacks are provided each morning and afternoon with an emphasis on whole, natural foods, and families provide lunch from home. We stay closely connected with parents through daily exchanges and the Brightwheel app.
Serving Sherwood Manor and North Stockton
Our campus sits conveniently between I-5 and Highway 99, an easy drive for families throughout Sherwood Manor and greater North Stockton. With most Stockton families relying on cars for daily commutes, our accessible location and on-site parking make drop-off and pickup simple and low-stress.
We're proud to serve a diverse community, including families participating in subsidy programs as well as private-pay families, in an inclusive and nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
Tuition and Financial Assistance
Tuition varies based on your child's age, schedule, and program, so we invite you to contact our office for current rates. We serve both self-pay families and families participating in subsidy programs.
For Stockton families, we work with subsidy programs including CalWORKs and the San Joaquin County Family Resource & Referral Center, and our team can help you understand eligibility and complete the application. Learn more about the financial assistance programs we accept.
What Meadowlark Families Say
"We absolutely love Meadowlark preschool. From the moment we walked in, we felt the warmth and knew the environment is nurturing, safe, and full of engaging activities that spark curiosity and creativity. Our child has blossomed socially, developed strong communication skills, confidence, and a love for learning." Meadowlark Parent
"The teachers are incredibly patient, kind, and dedicated to each child's individual growth. The curriculum is well-balanced, offering a great mix of structured learning, creative play, and social development. It's clear that the staff truly cares about each child's wellbeing." Meadowlark Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Meadowlark's campus in relation to Sherwood Manor?
Our campus is at 2295 E. Fremont St., Suite D, Stockton, CA 95205, a short drive from Sherwood Manor via I-5 and Highway 99. You can reach us at (209) 792-6177.
How much time do children spend outdoors?
A lot. Outdoor learning is central to our nature play-based approach, so children spend substantial parts of each day outside, in most weather, dressed for the day.
What ages does Meadowlark serve?
Our Stockton campus serves children from 6 weeks to 6 years, including infant, toddler, and preschool ages, all within the same nature play-based philosophy.
Do you accept childcare subsidies?
Yes. We work with subsidy programs including CalWORKs and San Joaquin County child care resources, and our staff can help you determine eligibility and complete the application process.
How do I schedule a tour?
The easiest way to begin is to contact our office to schedule a tour, where you can watch our outdoor, nature play-based program in action and meet our teaching team.
Give Your Child Room to Grow Outdoors
At Meadowlark Schools, we nurture the whole child through meaningful, nature play-based learning that lays the foundation for a lifelong love of discovery. If you're a Sherwood Manor family looking for an outdoor preschool where your child can explore, play, and thrive, we'd love to meet you.
Contact us to schedule your tour today.