Wildlings Nature School is a licensed child-led, nature-based preschool located in East Bethel, MN. We accept children ages 2-6 and operate M-F 7:30 AM-4:30 PM.

Wildlings Nature School is located on 5 acres of private land rich with nature. Children will have access to a fenced nature playscape, chickens to care for, gardens, apple trees, raspberries, a pond, and forested trails. We also offer a beautiful, curated indoor space.

Teachers support children’s natural curiosity by observing children’s interests and following their lead. Teachers are trained in early childhood development and are eager to meet each child where s/he is at developmentally.

Wildlings Nature School operates under a philosophy that early childhood education should be child-led, active, and unhurried. Teachers at Wildlings take inspiration from Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Montessori, as well as messages from the children and the natural world.

Wildlings Nature School aims to be Parent Aware rated someday soon and currently uses Creative Curriculum, a Parent Aware rated curriculum that is open-ended and leaves room for teacher creativity and student interests. The Early Childhood Indicators of Progress (MN early childhood standards) are at the forefront of teachers’ minds and we work to embed academic learning within play and lessons that are highly engaging and motivating to students. Our main focus is not “kindergarten readiness,” but rather scaffolding children’s learning based on their current developmental abilities and interests. We craft our programming to serve the learning needs of the children now, rather than what we expect them to do later on.

Michaela Johnson, Director and Preschool Teacher

Michaela Johnson has her bachelor’s degree in Unified Early Childhood Studies from UMD and her Masters in Education with a focus on Culturally Responsive Practice from St. Scholastica. Michaela began her nature preschool teaching journey while doing a practicum at Little Barnyard Preschool in Esko, MN. This was her first introduction, and she was immediately inspired and felt this was her calling. She student taught at Wind Ridge Schoolhouse in Duluth, MN and completed research on nature-based programs with Julie Ernst. She taught and developed nature-based preschool programming at Proctor and Hermantown schools. She taught early childhood special education in Cambridge, MN as well. She was inspired to create Wildlings Nature School to bring more nature-based programming to the area and to benefit her family. In Michaela’s free time, she enjoys mountain biking, reading, gardening, and spending time with her husband, daughter, dog, and beloved chickens.

Hope Axelson, Preschool Teacher

Hope Axelson has her bachelor’s degree in Unified Early Childhood Studies from UMD. Her introduction to nature preschools began during a shadow experience with Secret Forest Playschool in Duluth, MN. From this opportunity, Hope was quickly able to see the benefits experienced by students and dreamed of someday teaching nature preschool. Since graduating, Hope has taught for CDF (Children’s Defense Fund) Freedom Schools in Minneapolis, MN. She has also worked as a Youth Program Coordinator by creating after school programming for elementary schools in Minneapolis. During her time in this role, Hope partnered with Active Solutions to bring biking and fishing classes to the schools’ programs. These classes reminded her of the joy and magic she experienced at Secret Forest, and was inspired to step back into the nature preschool world. In her spare time, Hope enjoys yoga, road trips, hiking, and spending time with her husband and two children.

2025-2026 Tuition Rates

5 days per week, 7:30-4:30	$325 per week
4 days per week, 7:30-4:30	$260 per week
3 days per week, 7:30-4:30	$195 per week
2 days per week, 7:30-4:30	$130 per week
1 day per week, 7:30-4:30	$65 per week

Starting in summer 2025, Wildlings only offers full day enrollment.