AN ADVENTURE ON EVERY BRANCH
ABOUT
LET'S GROW OUTSIDE NH
Our Story
Let’s Grow Outside began with our first location, The Amherst Preschool. Founded in 2009 by Executive Director Ellen Grudzien, TAP (as we lovingly call it) introduced a new kind of early childhood experience to our community—one rooted in nature, play, and connection. Children hiked to the top of the “mountain” each day, engaged in long stretches of unstructured play, and developed the social and emotional skills essential for lifelong success.
Over time, TAP evolved both in enrollment and philosophy. While Ellen always encouraged teachers to step back and observe rather than direct, our program deepened its commitment to the power of play. We moved away from circle time and predetermined crafts, embracing instead an emergent curriculum shaped by children’s interests, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation to learn.
As kindergarten began to feel increasingly academic, more families sought an alternative—one that honored childhood through play and time outdoors. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the importance of outdoor learning environments. In response, we opened Joppa Farm and Forest School in 2020 in partnership with Joppa Hill Educational Farm in Bedford. That same year, we launched Let’s Grow Outside NH to provide training and support for parents and educators. JFFS offered a fully outdoor program for families in the Bedford and Manchester communities, while also integrating meaningful agricultural experiences into children’s daily lives.
In 2025, Let’s Grow Outside NH formally adopted the Reggio Emilia philosophy as the foundation of our schools and training programs. Its emphasis on the image of the child, inquiry, curiosity, and child-led learning beautifully reflects the values that have guided us from the beginning, while also providing a rich framework for continued growth among both educators and families.
In 2024, Ellen’s daughter, Emily, joined the organization and now serves as one of our directors. Today, after 17 school years, we are proud to have provided thousands of children with the opportunity to experience a joyful, meaningful childhood—rooted in play, nature, and discovery.
Our Philosophy
At The Amherst Preschool, Joppa Farm and Forest School, and Ponemah Forest School we are inspired by the Reggio-Emilia philosophy; a child-led, nature-rich approach to early learning.
We see the environment as a powerful teacher, with nature offering endless opportunities for discovery, reflection, and growth. Our educators act as collaborators, observing, supporting, and learning alongside children as they explore the world around them.
We recognize play as the foundation upon which all future academic development is built, while creating an environment which offers tools and opportunities for our students to explore and develop fundamental skills that provide the basis for life-long learning. Learning emerges organically through play, driven by the interests and experiences of the children.
Through the Reggio lens, every stick becomes a story, every puddle a possibility, and every question a path to deeper understanding.
Our Environment
At all three of our schools, the environment is an active and essential part of how children learn, grow, and connect. Whether in our thoughtfully designed indoor spaces or the ample outdoor space available at each location, every setting offers unique opportunities for exploration, creativity, and discovery. Together, they reflect our belief that children thrive in environments that are rich in beauty, possibility, and purpose.
