Early Childhood
Our youngest students are surrounded by friends, warmth, and beauty in joyful spaces that feel like home. Our Waldorf Early Childhood programs serve children ages 13 months to 6 years old. Flexible schedules, from two days to five days and an Extended Day program, meet the needs of a wide range of families.
Nurturing connection and confidence
At the Waldorf School of Philadelphia, our play-based Early Childhood programs welcome young children into a gentle environment. Seasonal celebrations, festivals, and a rich community life encourage healthy, age-appropriate self-awareness and respect for others.
Children’s curiosity and self-expression are nurtured through free play, while teachers model kind and respectful interaction and interest in others, supporting social development. Our programs balance freedom and structure, and our students engage in meaningful activities — in and out of the classroom — that promote brain development, support self-regulation and executive function, develop large and fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and strengthen flexible thinking, creative problem-solving, and emotional resilience.
Taught by trained Waldorf educators certified by the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN), our Early Childhood programs serve children ages 13 months to 6 years old.
Mixed-Age Early Childhood Program | Ages 3–5 years
Children learn and benefit socially from being with companions of different ages. In our mixed-age program, older children relish guiding younger classmates, who themselves look forward to one day teaching newcomers to the class what they have learned.
Rooted in the Senses
Rhythmic daily activities offer a sense of security and include cooking, crafting, self-care, and rest. Outdoor free play provides limitless possibilities for discovery and fosters a lifelong relationship to the natural world.
A Foundation for Academics
The intentional curriculum in our mixed-age program inspires creative expression and provides the foundation for substantive academics in our grades program. Music and art promote language development. Games and movement develop physical agility, mathematical thinking, and self-esteem. Outdoor exploration fosters observational skills that lead to scientific inquiry.
Five full days: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Three full days: Monday–Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Early Childhood families whose children participate in the Mixed-Age Program (ages 3-5 years) can take advantage of our Extended Day Program, enabling your child to be cared for in our warm, home-like environment from 7:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Nursery Program | Ages 2–3 years
Our Nursery program allows children to develop at their own pace. Rich sensory experiences, indoors and outdoors, encourage awareness without excessive stimulation. Small classes, led by a lead teacher and an assistant teacher, support children learning to practice self-care and thrive in a group setting.
Our teachers work out of the Emmi Pikler approach to caregiving and Rudolf Steiner’s indications for Waldorf education. The Pikler approach informs teachers’ one-on-one moments throughout the day, developing strong bonds of trust between teacher and child. Teachers design a schedule that supports the child’s natural internal rhythms; this provides the child a sense of peace and security in the group.
Five days: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Three days: Monday–Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Two days: Thursday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Parent and Child Program | Ages 13 months–3.5 years
The Parent and Child Program at the Waldorf School of Philadelphia is located on our beautiful wooded campus in Germantown, Philadelphia.
Each week, your child will take part in free play, fostering creativity, imagination, and emotional development. Parents and caregivers can observe their children's adventures, and enjoy time to discuss child development, parenting issues, and Waldorf education. With support from our welcoming community, families can embrace this exciting and challenging time in their child's life.
The child to caregiver ratio for this program is 1:1. Younger siblings of participating children can accompany caregivers until they are of crawling age.
Details on Spring 2024 classes coming soon!
In the spirit of community, we ask that you please stay home if you or your child are feeling unwell.