Learning Without Walls: How Fern Brook Nature School Built a Business Rooted in Nature and Community

At the Fern Brook Nature School outside the village of Middleborough, Massachusetts, the rural outdoors serves as its primary classroom. It’s where the certified teaching staff encourage their preschool students to move, play and connect with others as they build confidence, independence and a sense of belonging.

In spring, Fern Brook’s fields fill with wildflowers and birdsong; by fall, leaves crunch underfoot as the frost signals winter coming. Three indoor classrooms are available when needed, but most days unfold outside without fluorescent lights or rows of desks, just a field, a brook, and a group of children learning how to move confidently through the world.

For founder and director Lindsay Runey, that scene reflects a conscious rethinking of early childhood education. After 15 years teaching in Boston Public Schools, she stepped away when she had her second child just before COVID.

Her perspective on classroom education shifted when she spent time outdoors with her own young children on the small homestead she and her husband, Kevin, were building. She saw how natural learning unfolded outside: measuring garden beds, caring for animals, observing local wildlife in their own habitat. “We believe anything you can do inside, you can do outside,” Lindsay said.

In September 2022, she opened the school on 15 acres adjacent to their home. Today, the school serves children 2- to 8-years-old in a nature-based program grounded in play, inquiry and a consistent school-year schedule. Also available are an enrichment program for homeschoolers and a summer program.

A different kind of classroom

School days begin between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Children arrive dressed for the weather and head straight outdoors. There’s a mud kitchen, loose lumber and crates for building, wooded trails, a meadow and gardens.

Each day has a rhythm, with circle time, storytelling, snacks and pre-reading exercises, among other activities. Students also have plenty of unstructured time to explore the fields and woods, solve problems and engage each other. For example, they can chart chipmunk behavior, search for animal tracks and test their balance on a slack line in the woods.

Lindsay explains that many families come to Fern Brook after struggling in more traditional school settings.

“Parents will tell us their child had difficulty sitting still or managing big emotions,” she said. “Here, you’d never know. They just needed space to move and room to make choices within a routine.”

Progress shows up in quiet ways both in and out of school. A once-shy child may now confidently ask a librarian for help. Students may be able to resolve conflicts without adult intervention. They can enter public school with more resilience and self-assurance than they might otherwise have.

Growing carefully and intentionally

Since its founding, Fern Brook’s enrollment has expanded and its waitlists are growing. Future plans include an afternoon preschool option, an after-school club for alumni, and eventually a greenhouse that could double as an outdoor classroom.

Some of these additions require access to capital, which is where TD has played a role. Early on, Lindsay opened her first business checking account with TD. As the school prepared to add a third learning space, she worked with Sarah Gold, Senior Small Business Banker, TD Bank U.S., to establish a business line of credit.

“I wanted peace of mind,” Lindsay said. “Seasonal income fluctuates, and when you’re investing in something new, our expenses generally occur before enrollment fees come in.”

Banking built on a strong relationship

Sarah first connected with Lindsay while conducting outreach to local business owners. She was struck by the clarity of Lindsay's vision. “As a mother of young children, I was immediately drawn to what she was building,” Sarah said. “This isn’t just a preschool. It’s an environment where children can thrive in a different way.”

Through the bank's lending support, Lindsay secured financing to expand facilities, and she added a TD business credit card to manage ongoing supply purchases. She also makes extensive use of TD’s digital banking tools, including mobile deposits, connected accounts for operating funds and reserves and convenient online access that complements in‑person banking.

The nearest TD location is in Plymouth, about a 30-minute drive, but Lindsay says the relationship and digital access matter more than geography. “Everything is in one place,” she said. “That saves me time and mental energy. As director, I wear many hats, so Sarah and TD give me peace of mind.”

Sarah views her role as an ongoing relationship manager.

“My goal is to be here as the business evolves,” she said. “Whether that’s future lending for a greenhouse or just answering a quick question, I’m here for Lindsay to support every next step she wants to take.”

Lessons from the field

Lindsay concedes that starting a small business tested her resolve in the early days. “You may well question your decision to open a business,” she said. “And possibly even regret it at some point. But if it’s truly your passion, keep going. You’ll come out on the other side.”

That persistence has helped Fern Brook succeed. Staff turnover, which is always a challenge in childcare, is extremely low. Teachers who joined early stayed. Families continue to refer to friends. Enrollment now grows largely through word of mouth.

Looking ahead five years, Lindsay envisions a steady, measured expansion while protecting what makes the school distinct. She hopes to introduce sliding-scale tuition or scholarships to broaden access. She wants alumni to return during their public school years for after-school programs. And she still plans for that greenhouse. “With Sarah’s advice on how to best use TD’s financial solutions, I’m confident we can make it all happen.”

Lindsay’s tips for small business success

Expect challenging times: “About a year in, I remember thinking, 'What did I do?' Starting a business is going to test you. If it’s truly your passion, you have to stay with it long enough to get through that stretch.”

Create financial breathing room before you need it: “The expenses usually come before the enrollment. Having access to capital gave me peace of mind and allowed me to grow without worrying about making payroll.”

Grow in ways that protect your values: “It’s tempting to expand quickly when demand is there. But you have to make sure growth still reflects what matters most to you and your community.”

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