Early Childhood & Kindergarten Programs

For the fall of 2008, Tidewater School offers 5 early childhood programs for children ages 18 months to 6 years.

Tidewater Programs | Our Approach | Extended Day Program

Lighthouse Parent/Child Programs

For parents and children ages 18 months to four years, this 6 – 10 week parent/child playgroup meets one morning each week. This is a gentle introduction to the Waldorf preschool environment and a supportive atmosphere for parents.
Admissions Info | Lighthouse Application

Beach Pea Nursery

For children ages 2.6 – 4, this program serves children in a caring, rhythmical environment adhering to the Waldorf curriculum for early childhood. The lead teacher is Waldorf trained; materials and furnishings are classically Waldorf. Beach Pea meets Monday – Wednesday, 8:30 – noon. An extended day, after care program is available for Beach Peas.
Admissions Info

Periwinkle Mixed-age Kindergarten

Read the December 2007 Periwinkle Newsletter
For children ages 4 – 6 years, Periwinkle is a 3 or 4 day program meeting 8:30 – noon.

Sea Star Mixed-age Kindergarten

For children ages 4 – 6 years, Sea Star is a 4 or 5 day program meeting 8:30 – noon.

Both mixed-age kindergartens serve children in a caring, rhythmical, play-based environment that is pre-academic, adhering to the Waldorf curriculum for early childhood. The lead teachers are Waldorf trained; materials and furnishings are classically Waldorf. An extended day, after care program is available for both mixed-age kindergartens.
Admissions Info

Waldorf Approach to Early Childhood Education

The following three statements can sum up the Waldorf approach to early childhood education:

Extended Day Program

Snug Harbor Extended Day Program is for students in Kindergartens and Nursery from 12:00 – 3:00 pm. Contact us for a fee schedule.

Extended Day may be free to parents who are engaged in volunteer work at the school at that specific time, such as committee meetings, preparation for school festivals, etc.

This program is licensed through the State of Maine under childcare regulations. It is open only to children of Tidewater School.

1. Adult Activities

Imitation of adult role models, who are engaged in wholesome activities and work, develops gross and fine motor skills and provides a sound basis for confidence in self and trust in the world.

2. Activities in Nature

A sense of wonder is cultivated through activities in nature. Celebration of seasonal festivals fosters enthusiasm for learning and life-long moral strength.

3. Imagination and Drama

Imagination in play, dramatization and artistic work provides the first step of a cognitive process that is furthered through the academic work of the elementary school. Much genius originally springs from the fantasy and imagination of individuals whose creative thinking enables them to visualize how things are also how they might be.

While the Waldorf nursery-kindergarten curriculum does not emphasize cognitive learning, it does prepare children for elementary school in many important ways:

Foundation for Language Arts
Broad fundamental work in listening and speaking skills, including singing, proper pronunciation, rhymes that form the later basis of word families, poems, listening to and comprehending stories, which also provide vocabulary enrichment.

Foundation for Mathematics
Broad work in developing gross motor skills, graceful movement, balance, coordination, and dexterity in fingers and limbs; Imaginative play with simple objects provides the basis for abstract manipulation of symbols in school.

Artistic Training
Beeswax modeling, watercolor painting, music, singing and Eurythmy and simple dramatizations.

Social Skills
Learning to live, work and play in a group, sharing and taking turns; practicing common courtesy and politeness.

Work Habits
Learning to complete tasks, helping to clean up after themselves and working within the gentle structure provided by the daily rhythms of similar activities.

Learn more about our elementary school programs.