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 summer memories are made of.
A Waldorf-Inspired Curriculum Includes:
- Seasonal songs, ring games, and puppet shows
- Eating a healthy, picnic-style 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
Choose Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturdays. Classes start June 5th and run through July. All classes are 9:00am to 11:30am. See prices and more details below.
Update: ALL SESSIONS ARE FULL. If you’d like to join the waitlist, fill out the form and you can let me know which days would work for you.
Want to join the waitlist? Register Here!
What Each Day is Like
*Changes due to COVID: I’m limiting enrollment to 8 families per day, and asking each person to wash hands and take their temperature upon arrival; I’ll provide an outdoor sink and contactless thermometer. I’ve altered group activities to allow for social distancing (e.g., we will eat our meal on picnic blankets instead of at a table together). I do NOT require masks as we are outdoors all morning; however, you are welcome to wear one if you wish.
Want to Join the Waitlist? Register here!
DATES for SUMMER 2021:
Saturday Mornings, June 5th through July 29th (no class July 3rd) FULL/waitlist
Monday Mornings, June 7th through July 26th FULL/waitlist
Tuesday Mornings, June 8th through July 27th FULL/waitlist
Wednesday Mornings, June 9th through July 28th FULL/waitlist
All classes run 9:00am-11:30am. (families are welcome to arrive early or stay late if they wish.)
COST:
One Child: $260
Sibling: $175
*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.
*I can offer half-price tuition 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 15 months old this summer, and will participate in Play Garden; my daughter Sophie is 7 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@joyfultoddlers.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 will cap enrollment at 8 families this year due to Covid.
I have an older child I’d like to bring. Can they come too? Older children can be enrolled 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 I can make 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.
Questions not answered here? Email me at faith@joyfultoddlers.com with the subject “Play Garden Question”
Ready to enroll? Register here
