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What our friends and parents say about Rockfish Country Kids and The Nature School NC:

I have personally known Cheryl Allin for many years. As Director of Children’s Ministries at RockFish Church, I immediately recognized a special teaching ability in Cheryl. Her patience and consistency with the children she worked with in our children’s ministry program exceeded any similar characteristics I had observed in the past. Her teaching style and demeanor reflects that of a superbly trained education professional with kindness and gentleness towards the students an added bonus. I would not hesitate to place a child in Cheryl Allin’s preschool. I believe she will do her upmost to meet each student’s academic, social, and emotional needs.  

-Annie McVickers, Director of Children’s Ministries, RockFish Church, Raeford, North Carolina

I have known Cheryl for about 19 years now and can truthfully say she is one of the most trustworthy, considerate and caring people I know. She gives 110% to every endeavor, whether it is for her family, her home or her ministry. I have had the opportunity to see her serve in many capacities, from tutor at the public school, to homeschool mom, to children's church teacher, to ministry director, and she excels in each endeavor. She has a passion for teaching children and her patience is boundless. She is a gifted teacher, one who can maintain order and discipline yet at the same time be caring and loving. Her organizational skills are superior and she strives for excellence in everything she does. She honors God above all and constantly seeks to grow in her Christian faith. I am so blessed to call her my friend and feel completely confident trusting my children in her preschool, knowing that they are so well provided for in such a loving, Christian environment. 

--Rhonda A., homeschooling mom of 2 and bookkeeper, Raeford, NC

Having ​previously worked as a childcare quality consultant, I had (and still have) very high standards! I knew almost immediately, upon visiting with her in her home, that this was a woman who was passionate about caring for and teaching children, and took the utmost pride in her program. On that first official day, my daughter went right in and started playing. I had to ask her to give me a hug and kiss goodbye! As a parent, that is the very best of signs— to know that your child is somewhere that they feel comfortable, safe, happy, and cared for. I am not sure who loves it more- my daughter or me! Every single day she goes, she runs right in with her friends and starts playing. Often, forgetting to tell me goodbye! Cheryl is meticulous about providing the children with appropriate learning experiences and a thoughtful curriculum. And one of my favorite things is when I hear my daughter start signing a song or speaking Spanish, or signing words out of the blue. And when I ask her, “Did Ms. Cheryl teach you that?” the answer is always a happy “Yes!”

Having gotten to know Cheryl and her family, I feel blessed to have such a wonderful care provider and teacher (and friend!) for my daughter. She is not just an asset to our daughter, but to our entire family. I never doubt for a moment that she cares for my daughter as if she were her own, and that she always has her safety, well-being, and intellectual and spiritual growth as her top priorities. With as many challenges as we face as a military family, I know that God has blessed up immensely by bringing Cheryl into our lives!
 

Rockfish Country Kids is such an outstanding preschool program- I simply cannot recommend it highly enough. Our family will be moving from this area in about a year, and RCK is the one reason I am reluctant to move! I only pray with we can find another preschool program for my daughter next year that will live up to the wonderful experience we have had with Cheryl.

Very sincerely, Sarah R. Lake, Former Teacher and Childcare Quality Consultant

I first met Cheryl a little over 16 years ago while assisting her in children’s church. Her love for children is evident through her interaction and compassion. Not only does Cheryl have a heart to serve but she is exceptional from the inside out. When looking for a preschool for my son the two most important factors were safety and quality. Rockfish Country Kids was an easy choice for our family due to the quality of her program and the safe environment that she provides. Since my son has been attending Cheryl’s program he has progressed wonderfully and the transition has been seamless. Cheryl strives for excellence and excellence is what she provides.

--Jena Wright, former teacher assistant, counselor, and stay at home mommy

RCK has truly been a blessing to our family and our strong willed daughters development. She has had bouts of separation anxiety that all of the staff handled with patience and gentleness. RCK now feels like a second home to her and we have watched her thrive in their care. The environment they have created in the school is full of genuine love, safety, creativity, and learning. The best decision we made when moving to Raeford was enrolling her in RCK! 

-– Courtnie Neill, Nurse and stay at home mommy

What our parents and friends say about The Nature School NC and hybrid

We love the nature school! I am so glad that RCK is adding this program - we love being outdoors. My son is a bit reserved in the classroom as things can get a little overwhelming for him but he is so happy when he gets outside on the trails and is opening up more each time. He tells me his favorite parts of nature school is pushing the wagon, playing in the dirt, finding animal tracks and eating his snack..oh and we can not forget the dirt slide! 

Just one word: LOVE!

The Nature School forest school has provided my son with many opportunities to use his creativity through nature play and spark curiosity about the world around him. He has so much fun with his classmates on their adventures and he raves about his time spent in the forest! 

I highly recommend both the RCK and Nature school program to any new parent. I love that they offer this alternative and that the children are able to experience and learn in these two programs. I was excited when I heard Ms. Cheryl is adding the Nature school to their program. Our son was always a bit reserved in a classroom setting, a small room filled with lots of kids made him go into his shell. That totally changed when he started going to the Nature school. He loves being outdoors and loves exploring. He opened up quickly to his new friends and his teachers. His favorite part is the dirt slide, collecting treasure and  finding animal tracks. We are so grateful to have found this school! 

My two boys have loved forest school as soon as they started! They always tell me about everything they saw, and it is always their favorite part of their day. The pictures that we get weekly always match up with their stories and its wonderful to see and have them talk about it more!

The hybrid program was the perfect mix of traditional preschool setting and outdoor school to keep my child from becoming bored with everyday being the same experience. He has been able to experience nature in a way he would not have been able to without going to nature school. It has been a wonderful experience and program for my child to be a part of. 

We absolutely LOVE that RCK offers both traditional and nature school. It is such an incredible learning experience for all of the kids. And my child can never wait to show me his treasures. 

Nature school at RCK is really an amazing and unique program. Our daughter loves to explore and learn about the forest and its animals. The program is structured and very organized. I highly recommend!

Highly recommend! Our son was an outdoorsman from birth. The only way to calm him down was to go outside. Being able to do a Hybrid program with Nature School as a choice, allowed him to have the much-needed outdoor time. Instead of being told not to explore or not get dirty, he was taught to embrace the beauty that God gave us. The teachers keep the children safe, while allowing them to explore, get dirty, collect sticks, rocks, and nuts, and striking their curiosity about all the living things around us. Our son has so much fun to tell us about when he is picked up. Not to mention how cute they all look in their gear. Lol. This program teaches these children so much more about life than what can be taught in a classroom. This is why we love the Hybrid option. The best of both worlds.