Preschool, Nursery, Kindergarten and Parent and Child

UNDERSTAND

Early Childhood

Waldorf Early Childhood Education classrooms don’t look like other preschool and kindergarten classrooms, and there’s a reason for that. Calm, uncluttered spaces encourage the child’s imagination and creativity.

For the young child, open-ended, imaginative play offers a way to understand the world. Through a play-based curriculum, Waldorf hones inner forces of creativity and flexibility that become the capabilities for later learning in school, career and life. Our Parent and Child, Nursery and Kindergarten classes focuses on the children’s overall well-being, including nutrition, sleep and connection with nature.

Early Childhood Programs

Nursery Classes

In Nursery, through a play-based curriculum, Waldorf lays the foundation of skills that are needed to succeed later on in academic studies. Through daily rhythms of free play, outdoor time, circle time, story time, visual arts, handwork and practical activities, children exercise their creative muscles, develop their fine motor skills and create a strong foundation for their emerging literacy skills.

We offer mixed-age Nursery classes for children age 2 years, 9 months old to 4½ years old, with options for 3-, and 5-days per week. These classrooms are vibrant communities of young learners who accomplish so much each day. Classes begin at 8:10 am and end at 1 pm, with aftercare available until 3:00 pm or 5:30 pm.

Please click here to learn more about our daily rhythm.

Parent and Child Classes

We offer classes for children ages 3 months to 6 years old to attend with a parent, grandparent, or caregiver. Classes are grouped by age to offer a rhythm that is well-suited to the child’s development.

We meet weekly with the same group of families as we share the parenting journey together. We have classes that include both indoor and outdoor play and activities AND classes that are ALL outdoors.

We have a beautiful campus on 9 acres that is a hidden jewel on the north shore. Our Moraine Farm property has gardens and nature trails where children may enjoy being outdoors, climbing, swinging, exploring, and where play comes from the child’s imagination. The classrooms have all natural toys and furnishings and are designed for the young child.

Activities include circle games and a shared snack of freshly baked bread. A seasonal craft or two will be offered per session.

Topics such as creating a rhythm for your child, supporting the senses, healthy boundaries, learning through imitation and play, warmth, sleep, and meal times will be explored. We have an extensive lending library. We will tap into the wisdom of the group as we explore questions about parenting and family life.

Please note that while we use age as a guide, placement in class is also based on the child’s developmental stage and the group as a whole.

Please click here to learn more about our parent and child classes.

Nursery Classes

Please click here to learn more about our daily rhythm.

Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Classes

Starting in Nursery and Kindergarten, through a play-based curriculum, Waldorf lays the foundation of skills that are needed to succeed later on in academic studies. Through daily rhythms of free play, outdoor time, circle time, story time, visual arts, handwork and practical activities, children exercise their creative muscles, develop their fine motor skills and create a strong foundation for their emerging literacy skills.

In our Nature Kindergarten class, much of the day is spent outside on the playground and on nature walks.

In Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten, we offer mixed-age classes for children ages 4½ to 6-½. These classrooms are vibrant communities of young learners who accomplish so much each day. Classes are 5-days a week and begin at 8:10 am and end at 1 pm (half-day) or 3:00 pm (full-day) with aftercare available until 5:30 pm.