Castella, CA

Mountain Sprouts offers a nature-based, play-centered curriculum that emphasizes outdoor exploration and environmental education. Located just 15 minutes from Castella, this highly-rated center features certified early childhood educators with specialized training in emergent curriculum and Reggio-inspired approaches. The facility includes extensive outdoor learning environments, organic gardens, and developmentally appropriate classrooms. They maintain excellent teacher-to-child ratios and focus on social-emotional development through hands-on learning experiences. Their comprehensive program includes nutritious meals and strong parent communication systems.

Located just 8 miles from Castella in Dunsmuir, Little Learners Academy provides a structured yet flexible educational program blending Montessori principles with California Early Learning Foundations. The center features state-certified teachers with bachelor's degrees in early childhood education and maintains small class sizes with low student-teacher ratios. Their curriculum includes literacy development, STEM activities, creative arts, and physical education. The facility boasts modern security systems, sanitization protocols, and age-appropriate learning materials. Parents consistently praise the center's communication and individualized attention to each child's developmental needs.

As part of the nationally recognized Head Start program, this Dunsmuir location serves families throughout the Castella area with comprehensive early childhood services. The center employs credentialed early childhood educators and provides evidence-based curriculum focused on school readiness, social skills, and cognitive development. Services include health screenings, nutritional meals, family support services, and special needs accommodations. The program emphasizes parent involvement and community connections while maintaining high safety standards and developmentally appropriate practices. Their sliding scale fee structure makes quality early education accessible to diverse families in the region.