Blossom @ Taino Farm
Blossom @ Taino Farm is a nature-based learning community in the heart of the Caribbean jungle in the Dominican Republic, created for families (age0 -100+) who want to experience a different way of learning, living and connecting. Ask us for our immersion experience where you live on the farm for up to a month.
Blossom grew from a simple belief: childhood is lived, not scheduled. We don’t see learning as something that needs to be separated from life. Children learn through play, relationships, nature, real experiences, curiosity, challenge and being trusted to follow their own interests.
Our roots are in home education, unschooling and more than two decades of experience within education. We have now teamed up with Nathan at Taino Farm to continue the journey of Blossom in an extraordinary natural environment — an 8.8-acre permaculture farm surrounded by trees, tropical plants, wildlife, water and the rhythms of everyday farm life.
Here, Forest School sits within a much wider ecosystem of learning, nature, community and practical experiences. Children might spend time exploring the jungle, caring for animals, growing and harvesting food, getting their hands dirty on the farm, playing in the river, creating, building, cooking, climbing, wondering, or simply having the space and freedom to be children.
Our accredited Therapeutic Forest School is rooted in a child-led, play-based and Froebelian approach, with nature as an integral part of the learning environment rather than simply the backdrop.
Blossom is a place for families who want to step outside the usual structures of education and experience learning as part of everyday life — together.
Meet the Team
Blossom @ Taino Farm is a collaboration between Gillian, Davie, Nathan and Natali, bringing together experience in education, Forest School, youth work, alternative education, permaculture and community living.
Gillian is a former teacher and teacher trainer with over 20 years in education, including 15 years in mainstream schools. She is a qualified Therapeutic Forest School Leader and has followed a home education and unschooling journey with her own family.
Davie has over 20 years’ experience supporting children and young people across education, care and community settings. With a background in social pedagogy and youth coaching, he supports confidence, resilience and belonging through nature, movement and relationships.
Nathan is a youth mentor and steward of Taino Farm, with over eight years’ experience supporting young people through community development and reform programmes. He brings expertise in permaculture, sustainability and holistic living.
Natali is a homeschooler and experienced guide in alternative education, with a passion for community living, art, healthy cooking, gardening, and growing and sharing food.
Venue Details
Blossom @ Taino Farm is based on an 8.8-acre permaculture farm in the heart of the Caribbean jungle, close to Rio Yásica and Cabarete in the Dominican Republic.
The farm is a living, working environment rather than a purpose-built school. It is surrounded by tropical trees, plants and wildlife, with over 100 fruit trees, vegetable gardens, greenhouses, aquaponics, chickens, bees and a worm farm woven into everyday life on the land.
There are natural spaces to explore alongside practical spaces for creating, building and learning. The river runs through the wider farm environment, providing another natural setting for exploration and play, while the surrounding jungle offers shade, quiet spaces and endless opportunities for discovery.
Families staying at Taino Farm have access to comfortable cabins, a community kitchen where breakfast and lunch are prepared, shared outdoor spaces and an adult workspace with Starlink. The farm also provides space for gathering as a community, relaxing, eating together and simply being immersed in nature.
The setting is intentionally informal and connected to real life. There are no classrooms or school bells — the land itself becomes part of the learning environment, with children able to move between nature, farm life, community and practical experiences throughout their time here.
Cancellation Policy
We understand that travel plans can change, but because places at Blossom are limited and some bookings include accommodation, meals and arrangements made specifically for your family, cancellations can have a significant impact on our small team.
30 days or more before arrival
Cancellations made 30 days or more before the start date are eligible for a full refund, less any non-refundable booking or transaction fees.
15–29 days before arrival
Cancellations made 15–29 days before arrival are eligible for a 50% refund.
Less than 15 days before arrival
Cancellations made less than 15 days before arrival are non-refundable.
Bookings that include accommodation are subject to these terms because cabins and spaces may be reserved specifically for your family and cannot always be rebooked at short notice.
If we are able to fill your cancelled place with another family, we will always do our best to be flexible and may be able to offer a refund or credit for the amount recovered, less any unavoidable costs.
Missed sessions, no-shows and early departures are non-refundable.
If Blossom or Taino Farm needs to cancel a programme due to circumstances beyond our control, such as severe weather or other unforeseen circumstances, we will work with the family to arrange an alternative date or provide an appropriate refund.
We are always happy to discuss exceptional circumstances individually.
What's Included
What is included depends on the programme or length of stay, but families joining Blossom @ Taino Farm can expect a combination of Forest School, farm experiences, community and time immersed in nature.
Forest School
- Guided sessions with our qualified Therapeutic Forest School Leader
- Child-led, play-based learning in the natural environment
- Opportunities for exploration, creativity, practical skills, challenge and connection with nature
Life on the farm
- Opportunities to explore and participate in everyday farm life
- Growing, harvesting and preparing food
- Experiences connected to permaculture, aquaponics, animals and caring for the land
- Access to the wider farm environment and its natural spaces
Community
- Time to connect with other home-educating, unschooling and worldschooling families
- Shared meals and opportunities for families to spend time together
- A relaxed environment where adults and children can become part of the wider Taino Farm community
For families staying at Taino Farm
- Accommodation in one of the farm cabins, where included in the chosen package
- Breakfast and lunch prepared in the community kitchen, where included in the chosen package
- Access to shared outdoor spaces and the adult workspace
- Starlink internet access in the designated workspace
Specific inclusions vary between Forest School, immersion and longer-stay options, and will be clearly outlined when families enquire or book.