Raising thinkers, makers, and community builders.

➤ TRI-CITY AREA, CA

We're gathering local parents who believe education can look different — more joyful, more purposeful, and rooted in how children actually grow. Join our Parents' Circle this month to help shape what we build together.

Reserve My Spot

Our Philosophy

Nurturing the whole child through living systems.

At MeadowLab, we view a child, a community, and the earth not as resources to be optimized, but as living systems to be nurtured. Inspired by evolutionary psychology and the research of Dr. Peter Gray, our philosophy is centered on the truth that children are biologically designed to learn through self-directed play, exploration, and community connection. We cultivate a slow, creative, and intentional rhythm where children grow into human beings who deeply care for both people and the planet.

Radical trust in self-directed curiosity

True learning cannot be forced — it is driven from within. Following Dr. Gray's insights, we prioritize an unhurried rhythm that allows us to follow the child. Given freedom to direct their own learning, children naturally dive into deep, focused exploration at their own unique pace.

Structured, inquiry-based exploration

Play is the bedrock of learning. Adults intentionally scaffold real-world, meaningful challenges within a consistent mixed-age peer group — turning abstract concepts into active creation, discovery, and collaborative inquiry.

Born from a shared promise as parents.

Stephanie Chan

CO-FOUNDER & EDUCATOR

For over a decade, I've taught kindergarten right here in Fremont Unified. I love teaching, but working deep inside the public school system showed me how early the institutional pressure starts — and how easily a child's natural joy and curiosity for learning can get lost in a rigid, one-size-fits-all box. I wanted a daily rhythm for my own child that prioritizes emotional resilience, unhurried outdoor play, and deep relational safety over traditional academic tracking.

Yesha Bavishi

CO-FOUNDER & SYSTEMS DESIGNER

I’ve spent my career applying human-centered innovation and venture strategy to complex systems. When considering how my daughter’s educational journey would unfold, I knew I wanted a path where she could fully be herself, explore her wild curiosity, and preserve her natural empathy. This initiative is a living extension of my regenerative values, aligning the freedom to learn with natural rhythms to nurture a child’s holistic well-being.

What our neighborhood is looking for.

"It can't just be about surviving a curriculum anymore. It has to be about preparing them mentally and emotionally for an unpredictable, AI-driven world. How do we teach them adaptability, critical thinking, and resilience when the old playbook no longer applies?"

— A parent in Newark

"Low teacher-student ratio, explorative learning — not wanting kids to fit in a box."

— A parent in Fremont

"I wish it were easier to find a co-op. I just want to sign up with other like-minded families, have some academic curriculum mixed with play, and have a consistent group."

— A parent in Hayward

Frequently Asked Questions.

  • Our inaugural pilot is based in Newark, CA. The exact details are shared privately with registered cohort families to maintain safety and privacy.

  • Our foundational focus is on the critical early childhood window of ages 4–8, matching our own children's age group. This naturally expands into multi-age inquiry work as our community grows.

  • MeadowLab is for families who feel something is missing in conventional education and are ready to explore a more intentional, community-rooted alternative. Whether you're in public school, homeschooling, or somewhere in between — if you're curious, you belong here.

  • The world our children will navigate is fundamentally different from the one traditional schooling was designed for. At MeadowLab, we focus on the skills that no algorithm can replace — critical thinking, creative problem-solving, emotional resilience, and the ability to collaborate across difference.


  • MeadowLab is built on the belief that children thrive when their whole community is invested in their growth. Parents aren't just drop-off participants — they are co-creators. Whether through sharing skills, participating in community sessions, giving feedback on the evolving model, or simply showing up to the Parents' Circle, your voice and presence shape what MeadowLab becomes. This is a living community, not a service.

  • The best next step is joining our Parents' Circle — an informal gathering where you can meet Stephanie and Yesha, hear the vision, ask your questions, and help shape what MeadowLab becomes. Reserve your spot below.

Parents’ Circle

Ready for a different path?

Let's co-create the future of our kids' learning. Join us for an open conversation with other local families. Spots are intentionally limited.

Reserve My Spot