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 multi-age kindergarten program.
Multi-Age Kindergarten
Ages 3 – 6
Ashwood’s two multi-age kindergarten classes meet the children’s increasing capacities for work and play as they participate in the social setting of the class. This program 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 and multi-age kindergartens. 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
Parent-Child classes meet on Tuesdays from 9:00–11:00 a.m. in six-week seasonal sessions. Each morning offers a gentle rhythm of play, song, movement, seasonal work, snack, outdoor time, and conversation for parents and caregivers.
Parent-Child classes support both young children and their families. In these early childhood years, warm relationships and steady rhythms help children feel secure, while parents and caregivers find connection, conversation, and a welcoming community around the shared work of family life.
| Session 1: Early Autumn | Sept. 22, 29; Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27 |
| Session 2: Late Autumn | Nov. 3, 10, 17; Dec. 1, 8, 15 |
| Session 3: Winter | Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9 |
| Session 4: Late Winter / Early Spring | Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Apr. 6 |
| Session 5: Late Spring | Apr. 27; May 4, 11, 18, 25; Jun. 1 |
.