since 2015
About Green Gables
A small, warm play school in Golden, Colorado — built around one teacher's belief in the wonder of childhood.
Nº 05 · The Teacher
The heart of it all is Ms. Rachel.
A nationally certified Waldorf teacher who approaches early childhood from a nurturing, therapeutic and restorative place — an advocate for children, an avid gardener (farmer at heart), a nature lover, and a mother of three boys.
After thirty years teaching young children — the last twenty devoted entirely to Waldorf education — she guides each morning of play and work, story and song: a warm, steady presence weaving a rich and gentle curriculum.
A home that became a school.
Green Gables has welcomed children since 2015, growing from a single nurturing home into a beloved fixture for families across Golden, Wheat Ridge, Arvada & the Denver area. A woman-owned small business with a simple mission: to nurture children in the development of reverence and imagination, to wonder at beauty, and to foster their genuine interest in the world.
Rachel discovered Waldorf education as a young mother and was compelled to bring it to the children and parents of her own community. Before Green Gables she taught across many early-childhood settings — Montessori and traditional among them — and the school she built resides in a haven of trees, sculpted landscape and blooming magical beauty: a soft grassy lawn, swings and rope ladders, balance beams, sand boxes and tree forts, with a beautiful indoor refuge for snack and for cold or rainy days.
Families often speak of “Rachel & Nathan.” Nathan Ballenger — educator, builder, circustician, Waldorf math & STEM teacher, certified EMT, and caretaker of Green Gables — co-leads the summer camps. He can usually be found high in a tree, doing the dirty jobs, or turning up the next mysterious natural phenomenon on the grounds.
“Green Gables Play School is committed to creating and sustaining an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community. We encourage and invite people of all races, genders, languages, learning styles, ethnicity, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, origin, ability status, cultural, political, religious, military or other affiliations. Green Gables stands for ALL children.”
Nº 06 · From our families
Loved by parents.
“What fortunate children are those who can be in Rachel's school! Her gentle ways, her love of animals and nature, her imaginative art of storytelling, her kind heart and clear head offer each child a way to become the best of who they are.”
“I can't imagine a better place for my children.”
“The time outdoors, the animals, the seasonal craft projects, cooking, stories and puppet plays make a wonderfully rich curriculum. But the most wonderful thing about Green Gables is Miss Rachel.”
“From the cozy, magical setting to the kind, attuned adults — we could not ask for a better preschool experience.”
“Rachel and Nathan have created the most welcoming and playful space I've seen. I felt so comfortable dropping my child off, knowing he would be in the best care.”
“Ms. Rachel honors each child's unique spirit. Green Gables focuses on togetherness, nature, and the wondrous spirit of children.”
Now enrolling
Whatever the season, come visit.
Tours are held year-round. Come feel the rhythm of a Green Gables morning — meet Ms. Rachel, walk the gardens, say hello to Earl.
call us · 970.799.0143