About Us
Apple Blossoms Forest School was founded by Lacey Hemming in 2016. We are located in the Scenic Foothills Neighborhood. We have transformed from a traditional preschool to a forest school over the last two years.
Our Staff
Apple Blossoms Forest School is a in-home preschool program run by Lacey Hemming and Bri Ramsey. We are a very small school with a 8:2 ratio and spend a majority of our time outside adventuring in our neighborhood. We are located in East Anchorage in the Scenic Park Foothills neighborhood. We love walking to the Baxter Bog for nature walks, hanging out at the scenic park playground, and even have field trips to our local coffee shop.
Lacey Hemming has been a children's librarian for the last 8 years and decided in 2016 to start a preschool for her son and a few families. "I wasn't satisfied with my choices of child care, I didn't like the large class size and small percentage of time spent outside. I knew my son would thrive better in an environment that was play based and outside in the fresh air."
Lacey Hemming has a BA in Art History and minor in Chemistry from Oregon State University and Masters of Library and Information Science with a focus in Early Literacy and Children Services from University of Denver.
Lacey is a Level 1 certified educator of Forest and Nature Schools through Eastern Region Association of
Forest and Nature Schools.
Our family loves to get outdoors and travel around Alaska, both my Daughter Charlotte (11 years old) and Son Max (7 years old) attend Begich Middle school and Scenic Park Elementary Chinese Immersion Program. My Husband Paul is a nurse at the Alaska Native Medical Center.
Erica Ruston has worked with youth over the span of several years including working as a camp trip guide, teaching outdoor education programs, and nannying. Erica is very excited to start her first year with Apple Blossoms! Erica has a BA in Environment and Society with a minor in Dance from the University of Alaska Anchorage. In her free time Erica enjoys hiking around Alaska with her dog Alliyah, ice skating, dancing, baking sourdough bread, and working on art projects.