Potomac Crescent Waldorf School — Early Childhood Programs

Our Preschool and Kindergartens

Our preschool and kindergartens are, first and foremost, places for creative play. In a secure and home-like setting, children of mixed ages are active in play, living out the axiom that “the work of the child is play.” The children learn about themselves and their world under the guidance of two teachers. Natural, open-ended materials, which lend themselves to a variety of uses, are provided in the classroom.

During the first part of the morning, with gentle encouragement the children take up these materials in wonderfully imaginative ways. Tree stumps, chairs, and play cloths arranged as a Metro train one day may be formed into a royal castle the next. Such play fosters the development of flexible and creative thinking. Other activities such as baking, painting, and craftwork also form a part of the free-play time.

After free-play, the children sing and move together during circle time when songs, verses, and rhythmic games help, in an artistic way, to build important language skills and physical coordination. Circle time is built around the seasons — the ever-changing picture of the natural world around us. A wholesome organic snack and outdoor play are always a part of the morning. Their time together concludes with the telling of a story or a puppet play. Stories and puppet plays are carefully selected and presented. The wisdom of age-old folk and fairy tales and the beauty of nature stories unfold before the child in expressive language.

The rhythmic repetition of these daily activities strengthens and nourishes the child. Throughout the year, as well, we observe a rhythm. Fall, winter, and spring each brings a particular seasonal observance. Harvest time, the advent of winter, and the arrival of spring are celebrated in an experiential way appropriate to the young child, who lives strongly in nature and its changing faces. We strive to present simple, universally meaningful images in these festivals to support and nurture the child's sense of wonder and reverence. Our observances are non-sectarian, since our school welcomes families of all faiths. We honor the diverse.

Our Parent-Child Program

The Parent-Child Program is a simplified morning designed to provide the first school experience for the younger child who is not quite ready for separation from the parent. A parent or other caregiver attends with the child in a one-day-a-week classroom program. Guided by the teachers, the parent is involved in simple, purposeful tasks, while the child can help or play freely. With the support of the parent and with the help of trained teachers, the child can begin to move into a more social play experience.

Through classroom participation, parents can experience first-hand the Waldorf approach to early childhood education and can deepen their understanding of the young child and specifically of their own child. As with all of the early childhood programs, regular parent evenings offer a time for study and discussion on topics relevant to the challenges of parenting the young child and provide an opportunity for questions and for sharing, especially about the classroom experience.

Spring 2012 Sessions begin January 10. Two sessions, Tuesday and Wednesday, are available. Registration is open now. The application may be found on the admissions page.

The Afternoon Program complements the morning Kindergarten: the same Waldorf education principles and care shape the program. The morning program flows into the afternoon program, creating a seamless transition for the child. The Afternoon Program offers a time to receive nourishment, rest, digest the morning activities, socialize, and play.

The program begins at noon, with a brief time outside, followed by lunch. Children bring their own lunches. The morning is so full for the children that the afternoon should allow for them to breathe in and digest their morning; lots of "soul warmth" is provided for them. After a short rest in a darkened room, the children are gently awakened. Those who need to rest longer do so, and the others enjoy coloring or making a craft. Depending on the day of the week and/or the weather, they may garden, go for walks to collect "treasures" for a craft, go to the playground, or stay inside for part of the time with a planned activity.

Children enrolled in either kindergarten may enroll in the Afternoon Program. Children may enroll at any time during the school year for one or more days each week. Space is limited, however, and there are no "drop-ins." Those who start part-way through the year will have their tuition prorated. Financial assistance is not available for this program.

PCWS offers a Summer Program for children from 4 years old to rising first graders. Each day will begin outdoors, enjoying sand and water play, bubbles, wet felting and more. Indoors, we will have time for imaginative play, cooking, camp crafts, circle and story time.

Life with new babies can be full of joy and delight, and it can be tiring, lonely and challenging. Join Liz Hagerman for a thoughtful exploration of our roles as mothers and fathers and life with new babies.

Each session begins with a time to give our loving, focused attention observing and attuning to our babies, letting them BE and learning from them. We will play and sing gentle baby games and songs that are simple and easy to learn by heart. There will be facilitated discussions on a variety of topics, based both on reading material and the interests and needs of our group.

This program is open to parents with their babies from 6 weeks to the creeping stage of development. Our goal is to offer guidance and support, and to foster a community of young families.

The Extended Day Program is now being offered for both the Grades as well as the Early Childhood classes and is a continuation of the Afternoon Program. Extended Day runs from 3 - 5:30 p.m during which time children have a snaand engage free-play. For those nursery school/kindergarten children who are in the Afternoon Program, the same teacher remains with them until the end of the extended day which provides good continuity in accordance with the rhythm of the child's day.