Today we’d like to introduce you to Bethany Chaffin.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Bethany. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The Rock Rose Village School began in 2006 as a small study group of parents and teachers committed to helping their children develop using the latest brain research.
Recognizing the need to reach more children than just those in our group, we started a non-profit Parent-Child program in Escondido and a parent co-op Kindergarten in Ramona. Wanting a more permanent location, we found a building in Fallbrook with a room and outside play area — The Hilltop Center. We opened our doors in 2009 for our first Preschool and expanded Parent-Child classes in The Friendly Village. For four years we happily ran our classes in their beautiful facility. Our waiting list expanded and we needed more space to accommodate the families who were interested in our school.
During the summer of 2013, we moved to The Creekside Plaza in Fallbrook. This new location gave the children more outdoor space and a charming place to call their school. Since our move, we have expanded to include Parent-Child classes and two Early Childhood programs which embrace Liveways, Nokken, and a Waldorf-Inspired method of reaching children ages 2.5 to 6 years. Our waiting list continues to grow as more and more families learn about and desire this type of play-based early childhood education.
Has it been a smooth road?
When we first began, it was hard to make ends meet and pay our teachers a fair salary. Many times, I reached into my own pocket in order to pay rent or make sure the teachers received a paycheck.
We were afraid of charging too much for families who were already struggling to make ends meet. Our goal was to give as many families as possible an opportunity for this type of education.
After partnering with the YMCA and the CDA and obtaining supporting grants, we were able to expand our tuition base so that we could fairly pay our teachers, make our lease payments and continue to support families who typically wouldn’t be able to afford this type of education.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Specialize in:
Waldorf/Lifeways education that combines preschool and kindergarten for a mixed age experience.
Sets you apart from others:
We are unique in that our focus is on the combination of creative play and work for the children. There is a great emphasis on the ‘domestic arts’ making lunch and snacks with and for the children and working in the garden. We also include elements of artistic work in handwork and painting.
What are we known for?
Known for/Specialize in:
In town, we are recognized as the school where the children play outside rain or shine. Our garden can be seen from the road and people always comment on how much they love seeing the children playing outside and watching our garden change with the seasons. I think it reminds them of what they loved about their childhoods – playing outside, exploring nature, and being part of a community of children doing the same.
We specialize in childhood and the Waldorf/Lifeways program we use allows us to slow down and explore the wonders of childhood — watching a butterfly emerge from a chrysalis, kneading dough and baking bread, making cakes from scratch for birthday celebrations, digging holes and making mud pies, picking flowers for a fairy house, taking nature hikes in the rain and hot sun, collecting eggs from the chickens, whispering secrets in the ear of the school rabbit, climbing up into branches of trees and hidding in the leaves or simply laying along a branch,
Most proud of:
The work we do with the children and families to form a community and that we have created a place for a rich slow childhood experience support parents with education.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
We are not located in the heart of San Diego – we are in North County in Fallbrook. We are a bit out of the way for downtown San Diego city clients but we currently serve families from: Fallbrook, Bonsall, Vista, San Marcos, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Valley Center, Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, Poway and from Riverside County – Temecula, Murrieta, Lake Elsinore, and Hemet.
Fallbrook/Bonsall is a wonderful place to start a business that is unique. Rock Rose is located in a small village that brings tourists and eventually many people fall in love with this little town and move here. One of the things that they move here for are the unique opportunities and beautiful landscapes and properties. Fallbrook is a rural village and our type of school fits perfectly!
Contact Info:
- Address: 2809 South Mission Road Fallbrook, CA 92028
- Website: www.rockroseschool.org
- Phone: 760.468.8129
- Email: info@rockroseschool.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockroseschool/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rockroseschool/?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RockRoseSchool1
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-rock-rose-school-for-creative-learning-fallbrook
Image Credit:
Stephanie Mckay and Ryan Chaffin
Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
