Group leaders serve as a vital link for families exploring alternative learning and we are truly grateful for the parents volunteering their time to make a difference in our community. Each group has their own group leader volunteer. Make sure to save your group leaders contact information. Group Leaders for WILD by Design Marial Leisge: 401-418-2295 KK Behan: 401-743-6279 Kristen Clemente: 978-621-1590 Tara Kaine: 339-927-8302

Yes! Ocean State Kids is designed to welcome and support all children, regardless of their abilities. Our neurodiversity-affirming and inclusive approach ensures we meet each child where they are, providing individualized support based on their strengths and interests.

This means we focus on what your child enjoys and what they’re good at, rather than on what they might struggle with. We use their strengths and interests to help them build skills and confidence, making learning and connection feel natural and joyful.

Neurodiversity-affirming means we celebrate and respect the natural differences in how children's brains work. We don’t try to “fix” kids or make them fit into a mold. Instead, we create an inclusive space where each child’s unique way of thinking, learning, and experiencing the world is valued and supported.

We believe every parent has a deep, natural intuition about their child’s needs. Our Mother’s Intuition, led by Kaitlyn Sharrow, will offer mindfulness and discussions that help you quiet outside noise and reconnect with your inner knowing. You’ll learn to trust yourself as your child’s greatest advocate and guide. (And yes—dads, grandparents, and caregivers are welcome, too!)

The Daily Bloom is a parent-guided daily diary designed to capture reflections on your child's strengths and special moments during their time with Ocean State Kids. You can learn more here.

To ensure our kids are meeting their dietary needs, we will host a snack rotation where each parent is responsible for bringing snacks during one program. You can sign up for the WILD by Design snack rotation on the Google Calendar here.

Occupational Therapy (OT) support is woven into our outdoor activities in a playful, child-led way. Tara Kaine, an OSK Member and licensed Occupational Therapists, can provide conversation, guidance, and support for both children and families. OT strategies are seamlessly integrated into our sensory-rich experiences to help develop fine motor skills, self-regulation, and independence. If additional support is needed, you can connect with Tara directly for any additional OT services.

We create mixed-age groups where every child is welcomed and respected. The daily activities accommodate different sensory and learning needs. There’s no pressure to perform; children are free to participate in ways that feel right for them.

Being outdoors reduces stress, encourages movement, and stimulates curiosity. Nature offers endless opportunities for sensory exploration and hands-on learning. It’s also a calming, therapeutic environment where children can be themselves without the overstimulation often found indoors.

Most people are familiar with five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch), but we actually have eight sensory systems that help us understand and interact with the world: Visual (Sight) Auditory (Hearing) Olfactory (Smell) Gustatory (Taste) Tactile (Touch) Vestibular (Balance and Movement) Proprioception (Body Awareness—knowing where your body is in space) Interoception (Understanding internal body signals like hunger, thirst, or needing the bathroom) Our programs are designed to support and engage all eight systems in a gentle, playful way that helps children feel more balanced and connected.

High-sensory activities engage all of a child’s senses—sight, sound, touch, smell, and sometimes even taste. These experiences help children explore the world in ways that are fun, meaningful, and suited to their sensory needs. Think of things like splashing in water, digging in the dirt, or listening to birdsong.

We avoid highlighting what children “can’t” do. Instead, we observe what they enjoy and do well, and use those skills as a foundation for learning and growth. This approach builds self-esteem and reduces frustration or feelings of failure.

Speech and language support is offered through natural conversations, observation and interactions during our outdoor activities. Kailtyn Mulcahay, a Speech-Language Pathologists and owner of Competent Communicators, uses play-based techniques to encourage communication, and will be regularly attending programs to help fostering meaningful connection and offer recommendations or referrals for families needing more direct speech therapy services.

We offer guides on sensory activities, tips on communication and behavior support, mother intuition practices, and access to a supportive community. These resources help parents build stronger connections with their children and support their growth in meaningful ways.

We encourage families to bring nourishing foods that support their child’s unique dietary needs. There are two days during the program where we address the TASTE sensory system and Tara Kaine will offer guidance on sensory-friendly nutrition strategies for picky eaters or children with feeding challenges.

That’s okay! We believe children learn best when they’re following their own curiosity. If a child isn’t interested in a planned activity, we offer them freedom and time to explore something else that lights them up. Follow your child’s lead, ensuring each experience feels respectful and enjoyable, not forced.

During our time together, parents have the opportunity to recognize their child’s unique strengths by observing what sparks their joy, curiosity, and engagement. You’ll also receive support from our team, who can help identify strengths you might not have noticed before. Our focus is always on celebrating and nurturing these abilities so your child can thrive.

Parents are key participants in our mission. We provide opportunities for parents to observe, engage, and connect with their children. Throughout the program you will have professional support to help you become a stronger advocate and teacher for your child.

Group leaders serve as a vital link for families exploring alternative learning and we are truly grateful for the parents volunteering their time to make a difference in our community. Each group has their own group leader volunteer. Make sure to save your group leaders contact information. Group Leaders for Owl Adventure Club: Sarah Clarke: ‭+1 (401) 480-5250

To ensure our kids are meeting their dietary needs, we will host a snack rotation where each parent is responsible for bringing snacks during one program. You can sign up for the Owl Adventure Club snack rotation on the Google Calendar here.

The Owl Adventure Club currently meets at The Barn owned by South Kingstown Land Trust. The address is: 17 Matunuck Beach Road, Wakefield, RI. However there are various locations for field trips, so please download the OSK Mobile App to stay notified and up to date!

Monthly Plans: Full refunds are available within 7 days of the initial payment or the most recent recurring payment. After the 7-day period, refunds will no longer be available.

Parent participation is required & it’s our goal to provide parents the opportunity to be your child’s best teacher and strongest advocate for their learning. Family members can bring your children, just please provide notice to the group leader.

If you registered for a program and don't have access to certain areas of the Parent Portal, please contact marial@oceanstatekids.com or text (401)-443-9096 for assistance.

Seasonal Plans: Full refunds are available within 7 days of the initial payment or the most recent recurring payment. Prorated refunds are available anytime, calculated at $8.00 per remaining week of the program.

We will still be meeting outdoors on rainy days, so please dress accordingly. Hard climates we will arrange for indoor options.

If you discover an issue with the Google Calendar for your groups snack rotation, please contact marial@oceanstatekids.com.

Photographers will be periodically be taking photos of our programs. These photos help us build awareness for participation, but also support fundraising efforts. We understand that not all families want their children’s face on marketing materials. Photo use in public domain will be on a request basis.

You have a designated group leader but these programs are a team effort. Please offer help setting up, and breaking down to make the day easier!

You have access to our library of worksheets. If you wish to download, print, and bring with you, we encourage your to do so!

It's the group leaders choice to cancel the day. If this occurs, an extra day will be added to the agenda, or a parent can step in to volunteer as the group leader for the day!

Your group leader will be equipped with a basic First Aid kit to treat any boo-boos or small injuries. Parent participation is required to secure safety for their own children. Ocean State Kids does hold a liability insurance policy in the case of any unforeseen accidents or injuries.

You can download the mobile app directly to your phone here.

You can cancel your program membership by visiting, https://www.oceanstatekids.com/parentportal and clicking on My Membership in the Parent Portal Profile dropdown menu.

Full refunds are available within 7 days of the initial payment or the most recent recurring payment. Prorated refunds are available anytime, calculated at $6.50 per remaining week of the program.

HOW MEMBERSHIP DONATION COSTS WORKS? As a nonprofit organization, we rely on membership donations and community partners to keep Ocean State Kids thriving! We strive to keep weekly costs affordable, averaging $7–$12 per week, depending on the Membership Donation plan you choose. MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS: SEASONAL (Most Popular): Most of our programs run on a seasonal basis, and the most common Membership Donation is the Seasonal Membership, which is billed every 14 weeks. MONTHLY: For families who prefer flexibility or are unable to commit long-term, we offer a Monthly Membership option to accommodate your dynamic needs. YEARLY: Our Yearly Membership is available at a discounted rate, averaging about $7 per week. This option is perfect for families who are committed to Ocean State Kids and envision a long-term future with us. SET COST: Some programs may have a fixed cost due to partnerships with specific locations that require a strategic budget. Details about what’s included in the Membership Cost will be provided during enrollment. For more details, including our refund policies, please refer to our FAQs.

If your program has a day that involves animals, please be cognizant of your child's own safety.

We understand that every child’s learning is different, so this program embraces the ‘learn at your own pace’ mentality. If at anytime your child finds interest in something, don’t pull them away. If they find little interest in something, feel free to explore something else. Let them lead the way.

We curate activities in advance, so you have the ability customize it in your own way to fit your child’s age or special needs. You will be able to review the Daily Agendas on the mobile app.

Please come prepared for the weather. If you want a better understanding on how to dress for winter, browse our Winter Clothing Recommendations.

To ensure our kids are meeting their dietary needs, we will host a snack rotation where each parent is responsible for bringing snacks during one program. You can sign up for the Teeny Tiny Trailblazers snack rotation on the Google Calendar here.

Group leaders serve as a vital link for families exploring alternative learning and we are truly grateful for the parents volunteering their time to make a difference in our community. Each group has their own group leader volunteer. Make sure to save your group leaders contact information. Group Leaders for Teeny Tiny Trailblazers Jess Mercier: 1 (978) 494-2318‬

To ensure our kids are meeting their dietary needs, we will host a snack rotation where each parent is responsible for bringing snacks during one program. You can sign up for the Little Compton Explorers snack rotation on the Google Calendar here.

Group leaders serve as a vital link for families exploring alternative learning and we are truly grateful for the parents volunteering their time to make a difference in our community. Each group has their own group leader volunteer. Make sure to save your group leaders contact information. Group Leaders for Lil' Compton Explorers: Marlen Oliva: ‭+1 (401) 480-1102‬

To ensure our kids are meeting their dietary needs, we will host a snack rotation where each parent is responsible for bringing snacks during one program. You can sign up for the Little Tweet snack rotation on the Google Calendar here.

Group leaders serve as a vital link for families exploring alternative learning and we are truly grateful for the parents volunteering their time to make a difference in our community. Each group has their own group leader volunteer. Make sure to save your group leaders contact information. Group Leaders for Little Tweets: Marial Leisge: 401-418-2295 KK Behan: 401-743-6279 Kristen Clemente: 978-621-1590 Tara Kane: 339-927-8302