Philosophy and curriculum are inspired by and rooted in the principles of Waldorf early childhood education. Through carefully created experiences--and the spontaneous opportunities that nature offers up each day--we strive to give time and space for curiosity to inspire further inquiry. In this way, knowledge and connection to the natural world can grow over time and at a child’s own pace. In our Forest Kindergarten, we value singing and dancing as an integral part of our time together. While children of all ages, especially the young child, are hungry for the warmth and joy that can be found when singing, this practice is exceptionally beneficial to prepare them for their future academic success. Academic success happens best when there is a strong foundation of sensory development and motor skills, including their ability to move comfortably within their own body, to listen and to practice language. The rhythm and repetition of our songs, both in daily circles and times of transition, are essential nourishment to your child’s growth. As Dr. Laura Froyen reminds us “Rhythm gives our day flow. Routine gives our day structure. Ritual gives our day meaning.” In this way, music through singing is a treasured part of our days. Additional key principles include: Low teacher to student ratio: No more than six students per teacher. Class size is typically 12 students and three teachers. Total Nature Immersion: 100% outdoors in all reasonable and safe weather conditions resulting in a close connection to the natural world in all seasons. (During the winter months, or if the weather is exceptionally inclement, we will spend a little bit of time inside the Carriage House, modestly heated by a wood stove.
Key principles include:
Low teacher to student ratio: Class size is typically 12-14 students and 3 teachers.
Total Nature Immersion: 100% outdoors in all reasonable and safe weather conditions resulting in a close connection to the natural world in all seasons.
Waldorf Education: Age-appropriate curriculum to honor the developmental stage of the child. Enrollment for Forest School & Field School tightly adheres to specific age ranges in order to honor and support developmental stages.