4 SUMMER 2023 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT The allure of First Roots – Wild Roots—for children, families, and teachers—is its focus on the deep roots of community, embedded and fostered through a love of play, outdoor learning, and familycentered practices. Bumblebees to Fisher Cats Its main campus is located on 3.2 acres of diverse outdoor space in Hinesburg, Vermont. Beloved features include the magical Little Woods, a naturally fed “dry river” (which can collect water and mud with the flip of a switch), mud pits, hills, and even chickens! From the youngest Bumblebees (6 weeks) to the oldest Fisher Cats (8 years), children and their teachers tap into the curiosity, joy, and beauty of wild Vermont. Owners Andy and Andrea Sambrook acquired First Roots – Wild Roots (previously Annette’s Preschool) in 2013 and began a journey to become the first-choice early care and education program in Chittenden County. This journey has been one of growth—for the children as well as the business. The Hinesburg campus of First Roots – Wild Roots is licensed to serve up to 116 children and employs 26 full-time educators and staff. There are seven classrooms for full-year programs, a morning preschool program that follows the Champlain Valley School District’s calendar, and an afterschool program that transitions into the Treehouse Summer Camp from June through August. Two other locations also serve the needs of local families: • First Roots Underhill is a full-year, full-day program supporting 24 children ages 6 weeks to 3 years, located near Mills Riverside Park. It has five full-time classroom teachers, a part-time support teacher, a full-time support teacher, and a director. • First Roots Hinesburg is a nature-based, year-round infant program for 12 children ages 6 weeks to 2 years. It’s in a community church next door to the Hinesburg campus and staffed by three teachers, a full-time support person, and a director. First Roots –Wild Roots This early care and education program strives to “Keep Kids Wild!”
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