Early Childhood Experience
“The playing adult steps sideward into another reality; the playing child advances forward to new stages of mastery.” -Erik H. Erikson
Children thrive when their lives are rhythmical – they can count on events to unfold in a predictable way and with this sense of security comes the opportunity to engage in their play and work with confidence. New skills, both physical and social, develop as the child encounters a familiar, dependable environment, tailored to their needs. These principles guide the organization of our classrooms each day, week, and year, and allow children to fully experience the turning of the seasons, their own growing competence, the joy of friendship and our rich festival life.
At Summerfield Waldorf School, our children meet goodness, beauty, and truth in the world around them. Fostering the magic of childhood builds a foundation not only for creative and flexible thinking later in life, but also helps preserve the merriment and awe inherent in a young child.
Parent and Child
The first years of a child’s life are full of a phenomenal amount of growth and learning. Parent and Child classes offer support and guidance for families as they begin to establish routines that encourage the healthy development of the growing child. These classes provide a place, week after week, for children to enrich their world beyond their family circle, while their parent stays near by. Each Class offers an open time for the child to explore free play.
From Pregnancy to 1 year 11 months (by June 1)
Preschool Program
Summerfield’s preschool program strives to make the transition from home to school as gentle as possible by creating a classroom setting that feels homelike. At the age of three, children are just beginning to interact with their peers and they naturally imitate the world around them. It is through active play with each other and work with their teachers and peers that these children develop a foundation for future learning.
Seedlings Preschool
For children age 2-3 years (who turn 2 by June 1st of this year)
2-Day Program: Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30am-12:30pm
5-Day Program: Monday through Friday from 8:30am-12:30pm
Rosebuds Preschool
For children age 3-4 years (who turn 3 by June 1st of this year)
3-Day Program: Monday through Wednesday from 8:30am-12:30pm
5-Day Program: Monday through Friday from 8:30am-12:30pm
Two pick-up times are allowed.
Register with lead teacher; choose days per week and enroll by semester.
Kindergarten
Our Kindergartens serve children from ages four to six and aim to support the healthy development of the young child in a nurturing, non-academic setting, through imitation, movement, imaginative play, story and the work of daily life. The day begins at 8:30am and ends at 12:45pm with a nutritious snack and a warm, healthy lunch. Our aftercare program begins at 12:45pm with a quiet rest, then the children go outside and have a nourishing snack. Aftercare ends at 5:30pm.
For ages 4-6 years.