Welcome to Chesterbrook School of Natural Learning!
We are an Attendance Approved K-3 Nonpublic school with the NH Department of Education as well as a unique, fully licensed CCLU program. According to NH Child Care Licensing, our program is “paving the way” for forest schools in NH! Our nature-based program is centered on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community. This is a place where children can spend their days exploring and discovering the world around them with naturally integrated learning opportunities. We strongly believe that exploration and outdoor play is important to a child’s growth, health, and development.
The child’s interests and their natural surroundings guide the curriculum. Our unique “Reggio-inspired, Montessori-motivated, and wishfully-Waldorf” teaching philosophy is built on our core nature-based foundation. We are our own conglomeration and love it that way!
At Chesterbrook School of Natural Learning we base our curriculum off of three core values:

Care for
Yourself

Care for
Others

Care for the
Environment

Our Programs


Nature Preschool
Our CSNL Nature Preschool is a mixed-age program based on love and respect for children as whole beings and the natural world around us. We hope to instill a love of learning through open-ended provocations, teacher-guided explorations, and emergent based curriculum focused on the foundational skills that will support your child in becoming an resourceful, confident, and kind learner. The program consists of three age groups: The Cottontails (2 years), The Chickadees (3 years), and The Coyotes (4 years), and runs from 9:00am – 12:00pm with extended care options until 3:00pm.
Forest Kindergarten
Our Forest Kindergarten is an amazing nature-based program for 4 to 6-year-olds. These learners will have a 4-hour program that combines the benefits of outdoor nature play, highly noted academic curriculum, and plenty of time for creative child-led discoveries. We hope our nature-based program helps children make life-long, meaningful connections to nature and understand their place in this natural world. This program runs from 8:15pm to 12:00pm with extended options until 3:00pm.




Lower Elementary
Our Lower Elementary program is a mixed-age classroom supporting children 1st – 3rd grade. Academics from scientifically proven curriculum will be intertwined with outdoor exploration and discovery to give children a holistic education. For the 2022-2023 school year, CSNL is excited to host a Homeschool Co-op Model. This program will run Tuesdays & Thursday from 8:15-3:00 with the option of a 3rd day on Wednesdays.



Our Forest Leaders
All of our educators at Chesterbrook School of Natural Learning, Nature Preschool through Lower Elementary, are highly qualified and enthusiastic life-long learners. The CSNL Team participates in a variety of professional development regularly to ensure we are giving our students the best educational experience possible. Our Forest Leaders are committed to creating an enriching environment where all children feel safe, loved, and happy. Only then can a child truly learn!
Sarah Surrette
Kassie Hoidahl
Marissa Collier
Ashley Santa Fe
Lori Blaine
Kitty Michelotti
Tina Watson
Caitlin Clague
Megan Estes
Interested in joining the CSNL family?
Start Your Childs Adventure


