Wildflowers Preschool

Our Teachers

Laura Henning, Owner and Director

Wildflowers was founded in 2019 by Laura Henning, who has spent the past 30+ years as a leader and educator of children, teens and adults in various capacities. Laura is an Idaho native. She spent 9 years in Peru with her husband and two daughters before returning to Boise in 2016. She is incredibly proud of her children and can been seen cheering them on the soccer field, driving them to music practice, cooking dinner together, gardening and generally enjoying the simple things in life with them.

Laura holds Bachelor degrees in Psychology and Philosophy and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Care from Seattle University. She is a lifelong learner who is passionate about helping families and children grow naturally and holistically. For the past 14 years she has been dedicated to Waldorf education with extensive training hours in Waldorf Early Childhood.

Laura loves supporting parents in the most important job they will ever have. She brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and training in child development to families. She is knowledgeable about topics around nutrition, homeopathy and she is a Certified Simplicity Parenting Group Leader offering parent workshops in the Treasure Valley around Family Life and Guidance and Discipline. ​

She is deeply committed to Waldorf education and helping children and families grow into their capacities. With her husband’s support, she founded two other Waldorf inspired schools (Peace Valley Charter in Boise and El Colibri in Peru)

Richard Zavaleta, Co-Teacher/Owner

Richard Zavaleta (Tio to the WF children) is Laura’s husband and co- teacher. He is a Peru native and brings the gift of Spanish language and culture to Wildflowers. With his degree in Business Administration, his first career was in microfinance banking for 20 years. Several years ago, he decided to leave the stressful financial world behind and became co-owner of Wildflowers. He brings a lively and balanced element our school. He loves looking at life through children’s eyes and always makes everyone laugh. Richard continues to be inspired by the education he is receiving through his 5 year Waldorf Teacher Certification in Cuernavaca, Mexico from which he will graduate in 2025.

When he’s not at WF, he can be found coaching his daughters’ soccer teams, referring games, jogging along the canal behind the house, cooking Peruvian food or washing the dishes to salsa music.

Through Wildflowers our staff both offer a unique, personalized, high-quality early childhood center with dedicated space in their home in the Borah Neighborhood. Together they bring a balanced and peaceful approach to early childhood in the Treasure Valley.

Testimonials

Our daughter is so happy to go each day. We love listening to the songs she learns each season, especially in Spanish. She has made great friends. Wildflowers understands our family values and supports them at school. We are thankful for this school.

WF Parent

We are sad to leave this phase of our life. It’s been a blessing to have this community. Our child was safe, happy and growing every day. The art, outdoors and socialization was perfect. The relationship to the teachers will be with us forever. We couldn’t be happier to have been a part of this community. -Graduated WF Parent

We started with Montessori, but we love the focus on free play that allows children to really use their imaginations. We see our daughter bringing creativity and independence home from school. -Graduated WF Parents

I am thankful for the personalized care of our daughter. We are thankful to know that she is safe, happy and healthy every day. She has made wonderful friends and is always excited to go to school. -A McBride

Philosophy

At Wildflowers we don’t rush childhood. We stive to create a safe and caring community of children inspired by Waldorf practices and principles. Our program is a place where children can develop through doing, making, exploring and playing together. Wildflowers emphasizes the basics of “play-based - imagination-powered” child development by infusing arts and nature each day. Children at Wildflowers strengthen their personal and social development through weekly activities like gardening, water color painting, singing, seasonal projects, story telling, puppet shows and daily access to our beautiful, interactive outdoor play areas.

We believe that when children are free to engage in their environment, magic happens. Wildflowers children are given the time and space they need to create, engage, and explore at their own pace. Our experienced teachers do this by creating a warm, inviting and non-toxic space where children can thrive.

Decades of research in developmental psychology support our early childhood philosophy. Free play and imitation are the most effective ways for young children to learn and develop social skills, and emotional regulation. Through our blend of mixed ages, open-ended play, nature and art we promote the deepest kind of learning by encouraging children to become self-directed learners who explore, develop curiosity, and solve their own problems. Wildflowers supports each child’s unique, holistic development. At Wildflowers children laugh, learn and connect. There is Joy, Humor, Happiness & mud!

Our team of experienced and dedicated teachers create a healthy space for children to learn and grow socially, emotionally and creatively.

Location

We’re in the Borah Neighborhood in Boise, Idaho. Our facility has dedicated space on the lower level of our single family home. Borah Park is just a short walk away and there is a large walking path on the canal behind the street. It is a quite, private location for families. We also have easy access from I84 for those coming from Meridian, Nampa or further.

About our program

At Wildflowers Preschool in Boise, children thrive in a supportive setting where their unique personalities are celebrated. Our program stands out with a blend of art, nature, and Spanish immersion, fostering well-rounded growth. Specializing in guiding young ones through crucial stages of learning and growth, we provide a truly enriching educational experience.

Wildflowers children are a part of a worldwide community that nurtures children’s mindfulness, socialization and meaningful connection to nature. Here children are surrounded by a calm, organized, chemical free home that provides an inner sense of warmth, peace, and beauty. These peaceful moments create healthy neural connections that are essential to developing young children’s future abilities.

Admissions

Join the Wildflowers Community and enter our waitlist pool today! We enroll year-round. Check our website for details on the complete process.

1. Explore our website and learn more about our philosophy and offerings to decide if we might be right for your family.
2. If you’re interested in enrolling now or in the future, submit an Enrollment Application via mail or pdf via email. You’ll be sent an invoice via Wonderschool to pay your $50 application fee. (Fees are not refundable and do not guarantee enrollment,)
3. Following your application, fee payment and child profile, we will schedule a private tour for you and your child.
4. If there is a space open and it feels like like a good fit for all of us, you’ll be sent enrollment information. If enrollment is declined when offered or we cannot reach you within 7 days, you will need to repeat the process to be considered again.  ​As a year-round program, openings happen as availability arises, but the most availability is in early and late summer when children move on to Kindergarten. 

If you are interested in enrolling, please email us at [email protected].