Welcome to Cherry Ridge.
Where childhood unfolds with care and wonder.

Our Approach

Cherry Ridge invites infants and toddlers into unhurried days filled with play, discovery, and care. Our philosophy blends Pikler, RIE®, and Waldorf influences — always honoring each child as a capable and unique being.

Learn more
Four children walking hand-in-hand down a paved pathway in a natural setting, carrying water bottles and a folded cloth, with greenery on the side.

Meet the Team

Behind Cherry Ridge is Donna, our founder, and her small team of dedicated caregivers. With decades of experience in early childhood education, they share a deep respect for children and a love for learning outdoors.

Learn more
A woman showing two young children a view from a window in a rural area with green fields and trees.

Our Land & Food

Four children walking up a dirt path on a sunny day, surrounded by grass and trees.

Our Land

Donna feels blessed to call Cherry Ridge home for the last 28 years. The land is very sacred to her as it has nourished her family deeply and she is grateful to be sharing it with others.

High on the ridge, we witness all kinds of glorious, exciting weather. We play under Black Oaks, Redwoods, and Eucalyptus trees, and we roam the land listening to mourning doves, red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, and many more.

We tend our gardens, which feed us fresh fruit and berries, while also hosting butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Each day in our hillside playground, we feed the sparrows, chickadees, quail, and many other birds.

We are outdoors most of the day, in all seasons—some of us even nap outside!

A basket filled with various fresh fall apples and colorful autumn leaves.

Our Food

At Cherry Ridge, nourishing food is a foundational root of our program—supporting growth, learning, and well-being. We take great care to source the freshest, most vital organic food—delicious, nourishing, and beautiful to the senses.

All food is lovingly prepared by hand in our on-site kitchen. Most grains, nuts, and seeds are sprouted, and each day includes raw, seasonal fruits and a rainbow of colorful vegetables.

Through our partnership with the Federal Food Program, your child receives a variety of wholesome foods to nourish and support their growing body.

Young child reaching for berries on a bush, holding a small woven basket, outdoors on a sunny day.
A young child wearing a large gray sun hat and white t-shirt with colorful flowers playing at a pretend outdoor sink in a wooded area, with green foliage and trees in the background.
Children in colorful rain jackets playing with muddy water and toy shovels in a blue bucket.

Gratitude…

Gratitude for this website goes to Gwenna McKee, official photographer and core member of the Cherry Ridge Daycare team.

We would also like to thank Jennifer Salazar and Christoph Reichert for building the website.

At a Glance

Ages

4 months–3 years

Tuition

Please inquire here.

License

California Large Family Daycare · #493010295

Schedule

Monday–Wednesday · 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Location

Sebastopol/Occidental

Contact Us

Please fill out some information and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!