JOYFUL BEGINNINGS

A Gentle, Joyful First Step

FOR CHILDREN AGES 2 AND 3

In a warm, homelike environment, our half-day drop-off program nourishes the senses and allows for self-initiated exploration and movement!

Students working together in a Garden School classroom

If a child has been able in his play to give up his whole loving being to the world around him, he will be able, in the serious tasks of later life, to devote himself with confidence and power to the service of the world.

Rudolf Steiner

Program Overview

  • Designed for children ages 2-4.
  • Class meets from 8:45am - 12:30pm and follows the same calendar schedule as our school.
  • We offer 5 day, 3 day (M-W), and 2 day (Th-F) enrollment options.
  • Class sizes are capped at 10 students, with two teachers per class.
  • Weekly activities include:
    • Visits to our campus farm
    • Watercolor painting
    • Practical, hands-on activities such as chopping fruits and vegetables for a shared snack
    • Forest free play and nature walks
A child exploring a tree stump on the wooded campus

Nature

Our 14-acre campus allows for the physical exploration of space that helps build self confidence, resilience, curiosity, and joy in the young child. In the Joyful Beginnings program, children spend at least 2 hours each morning exploring our wooded campus and farm!

A child chopping vegetables in the preschool classroom

Rhythm

A predictable rhythm shapes the child’s school day. This rhythm takes into account the developmental needs of children at this age as well as the natural rhythms of the body and the seasons. Each day embodies a breathing quality as the class moves intentionally between stories, songs, shared meals, and creative free play.

Testimonials

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