MORNINGS
A Vibrant Preschool Playgroup
Our playgroup is a mixed-age environment admitting children between ages 2.5 and 3.5. It is very common for children to continue at Willow Nest for more than one year, graduating sometimes at the age of 5. Because children develop at different rates across disciplines, they benefit greatly from engaging with children both older and younger than themselves. Older children are often able to help guide play and increase the level of vocabulary sophistication for younger children. Becoming leaders and teachers in their own right gives voice to children's own, developing ideas. Younger children often find older children to be engaging additions to the learning experience. All the children get to take part in the joy of nurturing others. We place a strong focus on helping and kindness which is very well received by all the children in our community!
Tuesdays and Thursdays
Hours:
9:00AM -12:00PM or 1:00PM
Time and Pacing
Children need to have opportunities to stretch their minds in their own time. It is important to understand that children develop at different rates and also need space to play out their ideas. Children should not be rushed as they follow the ebb and flow of their own, personal learning trajectories. We give children permission to take their time, to experiment freely with a wide range of materials, to sit with their mistakes, make alterations to them and to make discoveries. The hours seem to wiz by anyway! We are always amazed at what children articulate and what they can accomplish!
Interdisciplinary Education
Many early childhood educators across the globe recognize and agree that children come to school already endowed with fluency in many languages. The arts languages are among these. They inform and support one another in a myriad of ways. For this reason, the arts should be integrated as much as possible, rather than kept as domains separate of one another. Children can use these languages to make important connections in thinking about the world and in making meaning.
The environment is also a teacher. Children are forming impressions in every moment. They are curious and awake to the mystery and wonder all around them. Therefor it is important that we help to create not just aesthetically beautiful environments that are malleable and stimulating, but that we allow children the opportunity to take part in its redesign. We spend time talking with children about changing and manipulating the environment to serve their creativity and play experiences.
Environment is Key
How to Apply for Morning Playgroup
1.Schedule a Tour
We recommend you attend a private tour with your child. You can schedule by contacting elisha@willowneststudio.com.
Tours are available most Monday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Tours generally last 30-40 minutes.
2. Submit Application for Morning Playgroup
You may print the form here and email back to elisha@willowneststudio.com
You will be billed a $100 application fee to process your application. This fee is refundable if you are not given a spot in playgroup. Deliver or mail your application to Willow Nest Studio.
Additional info
Upon acceptance to our program, you are expected to provide a first month's, non-refundable deposit along with your signed contract within 30 days. Failure to do so will open your spot to another interested family.
Monthly payments are due first of the month for eight months after receipt of your deposit. Our program runs for nine months total, mid-September to mid-June. The first payment begins August 1st.
The first week includes a couple of partial days of parent participation in order to help children gently separate.
