So, as I sit here totally inspired to get this Waldorf-inspired preschool/daycare off the ground, I face some details to be sure.
I need to figure out some advertising strategies that I can handle. I am working on a logo, and will be posting fliers, maybe putting an ad in the Independent. And, for sure asking all of you to spread the word.
I think we may have found the perfect space. And, if all goes well, would be able to move into it in May. So, our school would officially start then. Before then, I will be busy enrolling and meeting parents and kids. Once I get a good sized group on board, we can have a few meetings, maybe at the public library? Or somewhere else if possible.
Also, I will be looking for an assistant to help me out during the day with the kids. I'll need someone who wants to work 20-30 hours per week at $10 per hour. If you know of someone, or you yourself might need some work and would like to stay with your child, let me know.
As a sample of what our day might look like, to those of who are wondering what this "Waldorf-inspired" thing is all about. Here is a sample of what a day might look like at Seedlings.
9:00-9:30- Morning circle that includes a greeting verse like:
Morning has come,
Night is away.
We rise with the sun
To welcome the day.
Then we will sing a song or two, related to the season, or a finger play related to what we are doing that day. We will announce any news that the kids need to know, and set the mood for a peaceful, playful, productive day. And then end with a closing verse, like:
I can be as small as a small, small reed or
I can be tall as a tall, tall tree.
9:30 -10:30 Main Lesson Time
This is going to be different for each age group. The older kids (five-7) will devote this time to activities involving Language Arts, Social Studies, or Math, while the younger kids will be helping with food preparation for lunch, or doing an art project. The purpose of this time is to provide an activity that gives the children a time to contract, focus, and work with purpose. Of course each age group will have different abilities and attention span. We wouldn't expect a three year old to hold his focus on a project for as long as a 5 year old.
10:30-11:30 Creative Free Play
This will be a time for expanding. where kids can explore the outer world and move around in it! In good weather this time will be spent outside, gardening, playing, running, jumping, etc. Big body movements help a child in so many ways, not just to strengthen muscles, but to develop coordination, to help the child focus, and fuel the brain. And, like adults, children are inspired by fresh air and nature! We will also use this time to go on walks, field trips, etc.
In bad weather we will still try to get outside, but perhaps for only half of that time, in which case we will have dancing, singing, and movement activities inside.
11:30-12:30 Lunch and Clean up
Kids help prepare the food, set the table, and everyone eats together at a big family style table. We all share what we are thankful for, or tell a story about what we did today. And, then after slowly and deliberately eating our lunch, we ALL clean up. Duties will be assigned in advance, and everyone participates in the cleaning up of the entire home before rest time. Some kids will be doing dishes, some will be sorting silverware, some will be putting blocks away, some will be getting cots and blankets out. This will be a time for group effort!
12:30- 2:00 Rest
2:00- 2:45 Snack and Creative Free Play
Kids wake up and have a healthy snack, and then can play freely doing whatever they wish; dressing up, assisting in household tasks if they wish (sorting laundry, sweeping, mopping, dusting), or working with beeswax, felt projects, knitting, etc. This is free choice time, they can decide what it is they want to do, with direction from adult if needed :)
2:45-3:00 Closing Circle
In the closing circle will will recite a closing verse, sing some songs, reflect on our day, and give a glimpse of what to expect tomorrow.
Of course this all looks very similar to any style of preschool, it isn't cutting edge. Kids want and need rhythm, that is the key element to our days. The stories we tell, the fairy tales we read, and the work we do will be more distinctly Waldorf. And, that I will save for a different post! For now, keep the spreading the word, and please let me know if you have any leads on space!
