Preschool
days of exploration and wonder
Our program strives to help children develop social and emotional skills, resiliency, and physical independence through imitation, domestic tasks, free play, and teacher-led activities.
“
The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility; these are the very nerve of education.
Rudolf Steiner
Davis Waldorf Preschool is a play-based, structured, and developmentally appropriate program for children between the ages of two and a half and four years. We have three, fully-licensed preschool classes with exceptional and dedicated teachers. Care is offered five days a week (with 2-day, 3-day and 4-day options available as well) from 8:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Children may be dropped off as early as 8:00 a.m. for no extra charge. Families who need care beyond the standard preschool schedule can sign up for the Junebug Aftercare program for an additional fee. All preschool children must be toilet trained by the start of school. Children must be two by March 1st for first-year preschool and three by June 1st for second-year preschool.
A Joyful First Step
In our preschool, young children are guided by experienced Early Childhood teachers through days of exploration and wonder. Our program strives to help children develop social and emotional skills, resiliency, and physical independence through imitation, domestic tasks, free play, and teacher-led activities. A balanced routine gives children the security from which to explore freely and confidently.
Gentle Beginnings
Children spend their days in our carefully curated, home-like classrooms and the beautiful outdoors. Teachers work closely with families to ensure a smooth transition to school and to create an experience that supports each child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Children are given the time and space to immerse themselves in sensory and artistic activities.
Movement
In the early years, movement is learning. Children develop motor skills, integrate the senses, and work cooperatively. Teacher-led movement activities and games are balanced with time for free movement, indoors and out. Fine motor and artistic expression are encouraged through activities like watercolor painting, handwork, cooking, and free play.
Exploration
Preschool children have a beautiful garden to run, climb, build forts, and experience the seasons in all kinds of weather. Regular excursions provide plenty of fresh air and help children gain confidence in the wider world. Children walk, run, explore, and observe the seasons in the grade school field and the nearby Davis greenbelt.
Work & Play
Preschool children find delight in simple activities like bread baking, painting, crafts, and clean-up. Puppet shows and stories capture a child’s imagination and help build strong language skills, while lively counting games lay a foundation for mathematics. Teacher-led movement games help integrate the senses, and support physical and emotional development. There is time for creative, imaginative free play each day. This play is an essential part of children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth.
Rhythm & Reverence
Songs, stories, puppetry, movement, artistic and domestic activities enable children to explore their relationships to themselves, each other, and the world around them. The program weaves daily and weekly rhythms around seasonal themes. Our teachers follow the rhythm of the year that is experienced out in nature, especially in the preschool garden. Throughout the year, preschool familes come together to celebrate festivals that are inclusive of all cultures, religions, and traditions.
Preschool Teachers
Lavender Preschool Lead Teacher
Buttercup Preschool Lead Teacher
Golden Poppy Preschool Lead Teacher
Preschool Rhythm
Below is a sample of what a preschooler’s day might look like. To minimize the number of children on the yard at one time, one preschool class will begin their day inside and the other outside.
8:00-8:45 am
8:45-10:00 am
Outdoor Play and Walk. Children play in our lovely preschool yard. They dig in the sand to find treasures, swing and climb in the trees and enjoy nature. We walk, skip and jump over our grassy campus, often paying a visit to our chickens or the nearby duck pond.
10:00-10:30 am
Healthy Snack. All of the nutritious food provided is organically grown, seasonal and local when possible.
10:30-11:30 am
Indoor Free Play. Children play in the classroom. It is during this time an activity will be offered such as painting, drawing, baking or a seasonal craft.
11:30-11:45 am
Clean Up. We all work together to clean up our room. Many hands make light work!
11:45 am-12:00 pm
Puppet Show or Circle Time. We enjoy a puppet show the teacher has created, teacher-led songs, activities and joyful movement together in a circle.
12:00-12:20 pm
Lunch. We all sit together to enjoy lunch.
12:20-12:40 pm
Clean Up and Free Play. Clean up from lunch and free play to end the day.
12:40-12:45 pm
Parents Arrive. Children are received outside.
Optional aftercare begins at 12:45 p.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m. for families who need full-time care.
