At NWST, our Early Childhood program creates a warm, home-like environment for children aged 18 months to 6 years. Rooted in Waldorf education, we nurture curiosity, creativity, and a love for life through meaningful daily rhythms like baking, painting, and play.

Crafts, handwork, games, and regular outdoor play encourage the healthy growth of the child’s body. Toys, art materials, and classroom aesthetics emphasize natural, simple materials, encouraging the child’s imagination. Through play, each child learns a broad range of cognitive, social, and linguistic skills.

Our mixed-age classrooms foster collaboration, while seasonal festivals and community events enrich each child’s experience. Through free play and hands-on activities, children develop essential motor, social, and emotional skills, preparing them for lifelong learning.

With flexible schedules and an extended day option, we provide the support families need while ensuring every child thrives in a joyful, nurturing space.

Toddlers (18 Months to 3 Years)

Our toddler program focuses on nurturing the youngest learners in a warm, safe, and stimulating environment. Through a carefully designed rhythm of daily activities, we encourage social interaction, sensory exploration, and foundational motor skill development, all guided by the principles of Waldorf education. Children report from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and parents have the flexibility to choose a schedule that suits their needs—bringing their children for two or three days a week, or the whole week if they prefer.

Daily Rhythm

Each day follows a consistent structure that helps toddlers feel secure and engaged. Activities include:

• Morning Ring: Songs, poems, and rhymes that enhance language skills and introduce rhythm and repetition.
• Storytime: Engaging tales such as “The Little Shell” and “The Tiny Caterpillar,” which ignite curiosity and imagination.
• Creative Play: Opportunities for free play with toys, blocks, and natural materials, fostering creativity and social interaction.
• Artistic Exploration: Painting, drawing, and modeling activities help refine fine motor skills while encouraging self-expression.

Seasonal Themes and Activities

Our curriculum is woven around seasonal themes, introducing children to the natural world in an age-appropriate way. For instance:

• Nature Exploration: Children experience the weather and learn about their environment through sensory activities.
• Festivals of Light: Celebrating the season with songs, crafts, and storytelling, fostering reverence and joy.

Developmental Goals

The toddler program supports key developmental milestones:

• Socialization and collaborative play.
• Language and listening skill development.
• Building large motor skills and foundational senses through movement and rhythm.
• Encouraging creativity and individuality.

Materials and Resources

We use simple, natural materials such as crayons, paint, play dough, and wooden blocks to encourage sensory exploration and creativity. Waldorf-inspired manuals or guidelines and teacher-created stories enrich the program with age-appropriate activities and meaningful experiences.