Dear Shepherdstown families interested in Waldorf education,
How beautiful spring is at this time! I see buds in the garden and around the neighborhood. I feel ready to spread my wings.
I have found a fantastic place to hold our outdoor preschool class this spring. After months of research and conversations with families, it seems the perfect environment to hold our pilot preschool program is a local herb garden, Sacred Roots Herbal Sanctuary. It is magical. Located just outside Shepherdstown, the garden nestles among fields and open spaces on a 34-acre property. Children will have many opportunities to play freely, garden, and do lots of exploring in nature.
Health-wise, I have been working on protecting against COVID. My husband and I have kept isolated, and are soon getting our second immunization shot. Just to be safe, even after we are immunized, we will still wear our masks around others. I also have found an insurance carrier for the preschool classes. We will also use an online school platform to help everyone stay organized and updated.
Before I move ahead with further commitments, I want to invite you to review how I am envisioning the structure of our small pilot outdoor Waldorf program this spring--from April 26–June 17 (8 weeks). The name of our school initiative is The Bamboo Teagarden.
1) Mondays-Thursdays, 8:30am-12:30pm. Preschool group. Ages 3 ½ -5 (must be potty-trained already). Children would arrive by 8:30, have a circle gathering, do art and movement activities and/or cooking, play freely, have a healthful picnic snack, hear a story/puppet show, explore and play and tend to our garden, and finish up with lunch (brought from home). Then, the children will depart with their parents or caregiver at 12:30pm. Factoring in costs of rent, insurance, online platform, and food/supplies, the cost for the pilot program will be $640/week. The maximum number of children will be 8 children.
2) Fridays, 9:00-10:30am. Parent-toddler group. Ages 1-2. Parents/caregiver and their young child will come together outdoors to meet one another to observe their children while they interact and explore, have a healthful picnic snack, and learn fingerplays, lap games, and songs. $15/week. The maximum number of children will be 8 children.
Which program (preschool or parent-toddler) might you be interested in? Please email [email protected] with an introduction about who you are, who your child is, when your child’s birthday is, your questions and any hesitations, and what allergies and phobias you’ve observed in your child.
I hope to realize this dream with you and your child this spring!
With sincere gratitude,
Catherine Falknor