Mixed-Age Pre-School & Kindergarten Program (Ages 3.5 - 6.5)

Our diverse Mixed-Age Kindergarten Program provides children between the ages of 3.5 and 6.5* with daily opportunities to engage in imaginative play that is self-directed both indoors and outdoors throughout the seasons. The program also includes a wide range of artistic experiences such as drawing, watercolor painting, modeling with beeswax, handwork, woodwork and natural crafts that bring much joy to their sensory exploration.

Together, teachers, children and families participate in educational field trips during the Fall and Spring seasons to historical sites where they can engage in traditional domestic activities such as weaving, wool processing, apple picking and farming. This hands-on experience early in the school year helps develop a deeper appreciation for the domestic arts integrated into our curriculum. 

Our EC teachers have a thorough understanding of child development as well as a profound appreciation for the importance of preserving the innocence and wonder of childhood. They thrive to cultivate an intentional environment that promotes natural learning. Warmth, simplicity, cleanliness, order, beauty and serenity are qualities that permeate our classroom spaces. The toys and resources in our classroom are designed to be engaging and open-ended. The children are encouraged to explore and utilize these materials in their daily play, fostering creativity and imagination.

By tailoring daily tasks to align with a child's natural inclination towards imitation through play, our teachers ensure that each activity in the kindergarten curriculum is rooted in authentic, real-world experiences. Starting at a young age, children in our program take pleasure in assisting with daily tasks like, ironing, folding napkins, setting the table, doing dishes, cooking, baking and gardening. This exposure to household chores fosters a sense of responsibility, respect for our class environment and a genuine connection between the learning process and their everyday life.

Harmonious circle times filled with purposeful developmental movements allow children to experience their body in space and the beautiful nuisances of language and song. Children are also exposed to the meaningful world of puppetry and fairy tales from around the world and often partake in the performance of these puppet plays. They receive these meaningful stories as soul nourishment and as an inspiration to imitate the theme of these tales later on in their play.

A mix of ages also stimulates the socio-emotional capacities in younger children and inspires them to grow and stretch themselves to meet their older friends, and the older children often find themselves as guides and caretakers for the little ones. The combined elements of our nurturing atmosphere, predictable rhythm, and thoughtful instruction helps every child in our program to build a solid foundation for future academic success, a lasting sense of curiosity and wonder, and a lifelong love for learning. When the time comes for first grade, they arrive with socio-emotional maturity, creative and artistic confidence, and excitement to learn. Though the shift from free play to desk may be an adjustment, they have the resilience and curiosity to embrace this next chapter. 

The Waldorf School of DuPage is excited to offer a new Afternoon Program for Kindergarteners- Five afternoons of intentional activities designed to enhance fine motor skills and foster a deeper appreciation for the arts. Students will weave, sew, craft with wood, paint, and bring stories to life through modeling with beeswax and puppetry. Spanish lessons and beautiful seasonal crafts will open young minds to new cultures and perspectives. As classmates bond over the course of the school year, they will form lasting friendships to support them through their 8-year academic voyage ahead. Let your child's inner artist bloom this year within our nurturing environment where creativity and community come together.

*Note that any child turning 6 years old by August 31, 2025 will be considered a Kindergartener for this coming 2024-2025 school year and are eligible to go through our Rising First Grade screenings in January of this year, when we determine who of those Kindergarten students are ready to move to 1st grade.

Full-Day Mixed-Age Kindergarten Daily Rhythm  8:00 AM - 2:50 PM

Morning Period for Full and Half-Day Students
8:00-8:15 ~ Drop Off
8:15-9:30 ~ Free imaginative Play (Indoors or Outdoors depending on the Season)
9:30-10:00 ~ Morning Verse, Circle Time & Movement, Finger games (Or Activity of the Day:
                        Spanish, Painting, Baking)
10:00-10:30 ~ Snack
10:30-10:45 ~ Rest and Lyre Music
10:45-11:00 ~ Story
11:00-11:30 ~ Activity of the Day (Drawing/Beeswax
                          Modeling, Handwork, Crafts, Housekeeping, Birthday Celebrations)
11:30-12:15 ~ Free imaginative Play, Closing Verse, Dismissal

Afternoon Period for Full-Day Students
12:15-12:30 ~ Afternoon Setup and Washing Hands
12:30-1:00 ~ Lunch
1:00-1:30 ~ Story and Lyre Music
1:30-2:30 ~ Rest
2:30-2:50 ~ Quiet Activities (ex: drawing, modeling with beeswax, reading, quiet play etc.)
2:50 ~ Dismissal (Indoors)

Afternoon Period for Full-Day Program for Kindergarteners
12:15-12:30 ~ Afternoon Setup and Washing Hands
12:30-1:00 ~ Lunch
1:00-1:30 ~ Story, Rest and Lyre Music
1:30-2:30 ~ Curriculum Activities and Clean Up (weaving, sewing, painting, drawing, beeswax
                      modeling, puppetry, Spanish Lessons depending of the Season)
2:30-2:50 ~ Indoor or Outdoor Play & Dismissal