Shining Star Waldorf school is home to two amazing Early Childhood Classes, Linden Tree and Osoberry.
Linden Tree is our traditional Waldorf Kindergarten, offering play based learning that emphasizes nature, imagination, and the arts. Located at the school building next to Columbia Park. Ages 4-6
Monday - Thursday 9:00 - 1:00 pm. After-care is also available from 1 to 3 p.m.
Osoberry is our fully outdoor class, combining the best traditions of Waldorf Kindergartens and the wonder of outdoor education, located at Whitaker Ponds Nature Reserve, about 15 minutes from the school. Ages 3.5-6
Monday - Thursday 8:30-12:30 pm. Transportation to aftercare at Shining Star available.
For young children, our early childhood classes are a dreamy time of play and fun, of singing and painting, stories and friendship. The gentle rhythm of the day gives children time to become absorbed in the rich world of play. Joyful movement and song fills each morning; simple open-ended toys and natural materials nourish the senses and inspire the imagination of the class. Teachers include the kindergarten children in preparing and cooking soup and baking bread for snack, and in caring for our physical space. Seasonal festivals and crafts connect us to the beauty of the natural year.
Studies show that this kind of play-based approach to learning in the early years provides strong and long-lasting benefits to children. In addition to social-emotional skills, children build strong foundations in pre-literacy, math and science. These are developed imaginatively through play and storytelling, songs, rhyme, rhythm and movement, and plenty of time and opportunity for child-led inquiry in nature.
Our caring and experienced teachers provide children with a gentle, nurturing transition from home to school life. Small class sizes allow teachers to connect with each child and family, welcoming you into our warm school community.
We hope you will join us! Contact us at admissions@shiningstarschool.com for more information and an application.
We offer two choices for early childhood education at our school:
LINDEN TREE KINDERGARTEN
The Linden Tree mixed-age Kindergarten class at Shining Star provides abundant time for play in our wonderful outdoor play space and cozy classroom with its baskets of natural materials and handmade toys. We offer organic snacks, seasonal stories and poems, singing, crafts, and community for young families. For children ages 4.5 – 6 years, four days a week, Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. After-care is also available from 1 to 3 p.m.
OSOBERRY FOREST KINDERGARTEN
Osoberry Forest Kindergarten is an outdoor, nature-based class for ages 3.5-6 years. We meet each morning at Whitaker Ponds, which is home to beautiful woods and spacious meadows, right off the Columbia Slough, located a short drive from the main school. The daily rhythm includes nature play and learning in the forest, seasonal songs and stories, Waldorf arts, outdoor cooking over an open fire, and traditional crafts. For children ages 3.5 – 6 years, four days a week, Monday - Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Transportation to the main building for after-care is available by request.
