The Play Garden

Nature-Based, Waldorf Inspired, Parent-Child Classes

For families with children ages 1-6

Come with your child and play, bake, sing, and socialize with other families in my beautiful Play Garden. Chat with other parents as you watch the children play in the sprinklers, dig in the sandbox, and water the flowers. These are the activities that warm childhood memories are made of.

A Waldorf-Inspired Curriculum Includes:

Seasonal songs, ring games, and puppet shows
Eating a healthy snack together
A trained early childhood teacher to lead activities & support children’s play
Space for children to be immersed in nature
Support for your early childhood parenting
A copy of my book, Joyful Toddlers & Preschoolers: Create A Life that You and Your Child Both Love

DATES for 2022:

Tuesdays, May 31st – July 26th (no class July 5th) FULL!
Thursdays, June 2nd – July 28th (no class July 7th) FULL!
Tuesdays, September 6th – October 25th FULL!
Thursdays, September 8th – October 27th (2 spots remaining)

All classes run 9:00am-11:30am. (families are welcome to arrive early or stay late if they wish.) Cost is $340 for first child, $195 for siblings. Scroll down below pictures for more details and FAQs.

Register for Fall or join the Summer Waitlist

What Each Day is Like

There’s always time to stop for beans, berries, or cherry tomatoes!

After hanging up our bags and washing hands, it’s time to play

After a bit, we tidy up and gather ’round for Circle Time

Then we head over to the picnic tables for baking and chopping!

We’ll chop fruit in the summer, and vegetables for Stone Soup in the fall.

…while in the fall we will roast apples over the fire pit once the weather gets chilly!

And head back to our picnic tables for our meal! We’ll have bread, fruit and yoghurt in the summer…

…and our delicious Stone Soup in the fall!

Register for Fall or join the Summer Waitlist

DATES 2022:

Tuesdays, May 31st – July 26th (no class July 5th) FULL!
Thursdays, June 2nd – July 28th (no class July 7th) FULL!
Tuesdays, September 6th – October 25th. FULL!
Thursdays, September 8th – October 27th

All classes run 9:00am-11:30am. (families are welcome to arrive early or stay late if they wish.)

COST:

One Child: $340

Sibling: $195

*Babies under age 1 are always welcome for free. Non-enrolled siblings over 12 months, grandparents, and visiting relatives are welcome to visit once or twice per session, with prior notice.

*If finances are an issue for you, please reach out. I can offer a $100 discount (or more if needed) to several families in exchange for help with set-up/clean-up, or snack preparation. If you are interested in this, please contact me at faith@joyfultoddlers.com.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where is it located? The Play Garden is a half-acre garden behind my home in north-west Arvada, near 80th and Quaker (it’s on W. 79th Place in Arvada, CO 80007 if you want to map search). I’ll send you the exact street address once you’re registered.

Do we go inside at all? Nope! This is an outdoor playgroup: rain, shine or snow. There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear. Put on your sun hat, sunscreen, and jump in the sprinklers with the children. I have a bathroom and changing table close by for families to use.

Who is Miss Faith? I am a parenting coach with years of experience in the classroom, as well as two young children of my own. Before starting Play Garden in 2017, I taught at Boulder Waldorf Kindergarten, Rainbow Bridge LifeWays Program, and Shepherd Valley Waldorf School (now Boulder Valley Waldorf School). My book, Joyful Toddlers & Preschoolers: Create a Life that You and Your Child Both Love, was published in autumn 2017 by Hohm Press. Click here or go to the Joyful Toddlers homepage to learn more about me. My son Leo will be two years old this summer, and will participate in Play Garden; my daughter Sophie is 8 years old and will be with us some days.

Can I come visit to meet you and see the space? Yes, I’d be happy to arrange a time to chat and show you around! Send me an email at faith@joyfu ltoddlers.com and give me your phone number. I’ll give you a call and we can set up a time for you to come over.

What is the space like? The Play Garden takes place on a fully fenced half-acre behind my home in rural Arvada, with horse properties behind. A dry creek runs through the middle with a flagstone bridge, stepping stones, and a log bridge to cross. On one side is a big play hill with two slides and a tunnel running through it, and on the other side is a sand/gravel pit with lots of buckets, scoops, wheelbarrows, and other toys. There is a play-house with a sturdy three-rung ladder leading up to it, and a large veggie garden of raised beds with arches running between. There are flowers blooming all around. It is a place with lots of nooks and crannies to explore, and parts are well-cultivated, while others are left a bit “wild.”

How big will the classes be? I normally cap enrollment at 8 families, plus my own.

I have an older child I’d like to bring. Can they come too? Older children are welcome to visit once or twice with advance notice, or can enroll to attend regularly on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me and let’s chat.

My child’s grandparents are visiting from out of town. Can they come too? Sure! Visiting relatives and un-enrolled siblings are welcome to come once or twice per session. Just be sure to give me some advance notice, so we can have enough snack for everyone! Pets, however, should always stay home.

Who is responsible for my child while we’re there? I am here to run the class and I have lots of experience helping children navigate the social realm, but you are completely responsible for your child’s safety while you are here. There are hills, boulders and short bridges over the dry creek; if your child is a wobbly toddler or a reckless preschooler, you may need to stick pretty close. Regardless, please always make sure that your child stays within your view.