Early Childhood at Ashwood
Nurturing the child through creative play and purposeful physical activity
Our early-childhood teachers create a warm, caring atmosphere that nurtures each child’s initiative through creative play and fosters healthy social experiences. Daily, weekly, and seasonal rhythms create a secure foundation that grounds the children in their world. These rhythms weave through the practical and artistic activities of each day. Imaginative play and purposeful physical activity are the true work of early childhood, providing strong preparation for the intellectual challenges of elementary school.
Imaginative play and purposeful physical activity
are the true work of early childhood
The Early Childhood Experience
A Nurturing, home-like environment
Our early childhood spaces offer warmth and security, as the children are surrounded by and engaged in purposeful activity.
Rhythms for growth
Young children grow gracefully into the rhythms of parting from parents, happy play, purposeful work, and joyful reunions.
Outdoor Physicality
Children thrive outdoors in our welcoming play yard with its gardens, deep sand pit, shovels, and wheelbarrows, and joyfully explore the wooded trails that traverse our beautiful, 32-acre campus.
Daily, weekly and seasonal rhythms
ground children in their world
Early Childhood Programs
Nursery
Ages 18 months – 3 years
Ashwood’s nursery school provides a bridge between parent & child playgroup and the preschool/kindergarten.
Preschool
Ages 3 – 4
Ashwood’s preschool class meets the children’s increasing capacities for work and play as they participate in the social setting of the class.
Mixed-Age Kindergarten
Ages 4 – 6
Ashwood’s mixed-age kindergarten lays a strong foundation for literacy and intellectual growth.
Extended Day Program
Ashwood’s extended-day program is available for children enrolled in our nursery, preschool, and mixed-age kindergarten. Extended day offers a homelike environment in which the children enjoy the company of their friends, a nap or quiet time, indoor and outdoor play, and a snack brought from home.
Parent-Child Playgroup
In our morning Parent & Child Playgroup, caregivers with children aged 12 months to three years meet for friendship and fun in the warm, nurturing setting of our early childhood center. Each weekly playgroup offers free play, crafts, songs, a nourishing snack, and time for parents to share insights and experiences. Playgroups are led by an experienced Waldorf early childhood educator.
2023-2024 Sessions
Session I. September 14th – October 19th (6 weeks) (full)
Session II. October 26th – December 7th (6 weeks)
(Snow date Dec. 14th) (full)
Session III. January 4th – February 1st (5 weeks)(snow date Feb. 8th)
Session IV. April 4th – May 30th (8 weeks)