Our Story

KindKin Collective began in a Sebastopol backyard, nestled among oak trees on an acre of land. The space featured a yurt, a refurbished bus, and even a skate ramp—creating an inviting environment for exploration and play. In the fall of 2022, we launched Shine Learning Center, a nature-based space where children could learn through self-direction and connection. The program was facilitated by Jessica and Rose, a dynamic duo with complementary skills: Jessica, with 20 years of experience working with children of all ages, and Rose, with deep knowledge of land tending, self-resiliency, and hands-on building. Together, they worked to create a vibrant, engaging environment for children to play, learn, and grow.

However, despite the beauty of the outdoor setting, fostering a close-knit community proved challenging. The large, open space made it difficult to come together as a group and establish a shared culture. After one school year, it became clear that a change was needed.

The owner of Shine entrusted Jessica with the program’s future, signing over the business for a fresh start in a new location. Over the summer, Jessica and Rose worked tirelessly to reimagine the program under the self-directed framework. Their search led them to a charming office space in downtown Sebastopol, just steps from the bike trail and within walking distance of local parks. This new setting offered the cozy, connected space they had envisioned—a place where a strong community culture could truly take root.

With the move came a transformation. The program was rebranded as KindKin Collective, a name that reflected its core values: cultivating kindness and embracing one another as chosen family. While transitioning from an open-acre property to an office space below a church was a significant shift, they embraced it as their new home base.

One of the biggest challenges was finding like-minded unschoolers who wanted to be in community. Spreading the word became a major focus. However, low enrollment made it difficult to sustain facilitator salaries. Rose eventually moved on to other employment, and Jessica continued running the program without pay. That first year brought many growing pains, but as the 2024-2025 school year began, KindKin entered a new chapter with renewed confidence.

Today, we are a grounded, connected community that has truly blossomed. We have a wonderful group of kids, ages 9 to 12, each with a diverse range of interests. The magic of KindKin lies in their time spent playing together—a rare and beautiful thing among preteens. One of our biggest hopes is to preserve the joy of play for as long as possible. Why do we have to “grow out” of play? Here, we challenge that idea every day, embracing curiosity, creativity, and connection as our guiding principles.

If you're looking for a supportive, self-directed learning community where kids can explore, play, and grow at their own pace, we’d love for you to join us for the upcoming school year! Reach out to learn more, schedule a visit, or connect with other KindKin families. Let’s build something wonderful together!