play-based Early Childhood

“Young children are naturally curious, and play really builds on that natural curiosity and helps them to explore the world around them and build their knowledge and build their skills.”

— Laura Longhine, US News

Pillars of Early Childhood Waldorf Education

Pre-academic foundations

Language development
Basic math
Working with peers
Listening & comprehension
Lengthen attention span
Develop memory

Play-based learning

Build neural pathway
Encourage development
Social skills & peer navigation
Advance motor skills
Planning & coordination

Sensory integration

Builds mobility

Motor skills
Flexibility
Spacial awareness
Tactile sense
Proprioceptive senses

Nature-based learning

Boost cognitive performance
Reduce anxiety
Inspire curiosity
Respect for nature
Foundation for scientific learning

Preschool

Our preschool is designed with the young child in mind, with cozy classrooms that feel like home and a gentle rhythm that creates a sense of order and security for preschoolers. At this age, children learn best through play, and our teachers encourage the children's explorations into the world with stories, songs, beautiful handmade toys, and seasonal craft projects. Through this play-based learning time, our teachers encourage social development, problem-solving skills and language development.

Preschoolers spend a large part of their day outdoors, rain or shine, in our beautiful preschool play yard and redwood grove. This inspires curiosity in the natural world, reduces anxiety helps improve cognition. Then, they gather to share a fresh organic snack, prepared in the classroom every morning. Most mornings, children will help to prepare and contribute to their own snack, helping to develop fine motor skills and patience. Our low-tech approach to school and home life encourages imagination and wonder.

We offer a 3-day (Monday - Wednesday) and a 5-day preschool program and extended care until either 3:00 or 5:20pm.

What does a preschool day at Marin Waldorf look like?

8:30am - Welcome, doors open
8:30 - 9:00 - Artistic activity, story time, imaginative play
9:00 - 10:20 - Tidy up / circle time
10:20 - 10:45 - Morning snack (provided by school)
10:45 - 12:10 - Outside playtime
12:10 - 12:45 - Lunch
12:45 - Dismissal, aftercare begins
1:15 - 2:20 Quiet time / nap
2:20 - 3:00 - Outdoor playtime, snack
3:00 - Early aftercare pickup
3:00 - Late aftercare begins
5:20 - Late aftercare pickup

Sample snack schedule

All snacks are made daily in the classroom by teachers using high quality, organic ingredients. Fresh organic apples and oranges are served daily at snack time.

Monday - Vegetable soup (parents send children to school with a vegetable to contribute)

Tuesday - Bread buns with honey butter

Wednesday - Oatmeal porridge with raisins

Thursday - Rice and beans

Friday - Baking day

Learn about our preschool application process here

Kindergarten

Guided by a team of dedicated and experienced early childhood teachers, our joyful two-year kindergarten program is designed to ignite a child’s curiosity and imagination. Inviting and homelike classrooms and a beautiful outdoor play yard create a nurturing backdrop to structured activities and free play. In kindergarten, we are practicing academics implicitly, learning numbers and language through story-telling and daily activities. This lays the foundation for the academic program in the grades and prepares children for the explicit decoding of letters and numbers that happens in first grade.

Highlights of kindergarten activities include watercolor painting and handcrafts, gardening, cooking and baking, singing and puppet shows, healthy movement and physical activity, a fresh organic snack provided daily and weekly hikes in Lucas Valley (with parents encouraged to join whenever possible!).

Our kindergarten program is 5 days per week and they day is from 8:15 - 1pm. We also offer extended care until either 3pm or 5:20pm.

What does a preschool day at Marin Waldorf look like?