Our School

Our Program
Little Explorers is an educational program with a variety of offerings for children ages 3 to 10 years old in Seattle in the Green Lake neighborhood.  Our programs include Morning Preschool Program, After School Enrichment, and Summer Camp.  At Little Explorers we spend our days learning and making discoveries through play, art, music, science, nature and much more.  Our ability to engage children using positive reinforcement and encouragement provides the opportunity to learn and make new connections. Little Explorers seeks to honor each child as an individual and celebrate their creative and unique learning styles. It is our mission at Little Explorers to give children the tools to become empowered and caring individuals, while fostering a love of learning.

Jared & Cindy Vandegrift – Founders

Mr. Jared has been teaching, counseling, and mentoring children of all ages for over 25 years.  He received his B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis on Early Childhood Development and Behavior at Seattle University.  He has shared his skills and talents at many institutions in Seattle: Sweet Pea Cottage (2004-2010), The Children’s Institute for Learning Differences, Country Village Day School, Bryant Elementary, The Seattle Academy, Youth Theatre Northwest, and The Northwest School.  In Los Angeles: The Center for Early Education, Carpenter, Colfax, and Lanai Elementary.  He has also coached many different youth sports leagues in the Queen Anne and Ravenna neighborhoods.  Together with his wife Cindy, Jared created Little Explorers; which combines his commitment to early childhood education and enrichment with his talent of engaging and communicating with children.

Ms. Sara – School Director, Lead Preschool Teacher, After School Manager, Administration
Sara joined the Little Explorers family in 2013, and has been working professionally with children since 2009. With an education in the arts and a vast range of experience as a freelance artist; she infuses her lesson plans with a creative flair that makes learning super fun! Her other areas of expertise are science and health education, which are derived from her six years of experience as a nutrition consultant. Sara’s knowledge of science and art have been shared not only in our programs, but with various Seattle area elementary schools for numerous years through teaching after school science and craft classes. Sara is deeply dedicated to our school and delighted to participate in the growth and enrichment of our students.

Ms. Erin – Preschool Teacher & After School Teacher
Prior to joining the Little Explorers team in 2022, Erin graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Education Studies from the University of Puget Sound. Her interests in early childhood social and emotional development and past experience as a summer camp assistant director have inspired her love of teaching. Children’s literature holds a particularly special place in her heart, and she frequently uses books and stories to help enrich her students’ lives. She is very excited to be contributing to the growth and joyful learning of all preschool and elementary-aged children at Little Explorers.

Mr. Owen – Preschool Teacher & After School Enrichment Teacher

Owen joined Little Explorers School in 2023. He is from a family of artists in Santa Cruz, and has followed in the family tradition. Initially focusing his academic pursuits on visual arts, his interests then broadened into musical arts. His ever-evolving love of all things artistic is matched only by his love of working with children. His open-minded and uplifting nature creates an inspiring space for students to create and be creative; whether inside the classroom or on the playground. Owen loves to celebrate the individual and empowering students to discover themselves through art and creative pursuits is his mission as a teacher.

Ms. Kate – Preschool Teacher

Kate has been joyfully teaching at Little Explorers for the past three years.  She received her A.A. from Shoreline Community College, and has nannied and babysat extensively for the last 12 years.  Kate is especially passionate about teaching language, as it brings her so much joy to watch her students light up with excitement whilst learning something new.  Kate believes that one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching is that teachers themselves are constantly learning and being inspired by the teaching process.