Parent-Child Program Information
Our Parent-Child program supports and empowers parents and caregivers during the early years. These classes offer a simple, accessible, playful and artistic vision for nurturing the growing family. Through a practice of quiet observation, as well as shared conversation in a safe, accepting space, adults can begin to slow down and strengthen their sense of reverence, understanding, and trust in the innate competence of the young child in accomplishing the developmental tasks inherent to each age and stage.
WSP and our Parent-Child Program welcome families of all identities and backgrounds with open arms and hearts.
Winter/Spring 2025 Session
Registration is now closed for our Winter/Spring 2025 Session. Join our Early Childhood News list receive information about our Fall/Winter 2025 session. Generally registration will begin in mid-July.
For the Winter/Spring 2025 Session, the WSP Parent-Child Program has two components serving families with children 0-3 years:
Returning for our Fall/Winter 2025 Session:
Warm Beginnings and Mornings Together classes are held indoors on our Los Altos campus. Nature and Nurture Family Connections will take place outdoors at various locations in the area which are communicated to registered families before the first class.
General Wellness: If you or your child are symptomatic of any transmissible disease, please refrain from coming to class. In the event that a family member or close contact tests positive for Covid-19 kindly notify the school as soon as possible and before coming to a class.
Mornings Together with Jane Philipson
Classes for parents or caregivers with a toddler aged 12 to 36 months
- 11- week class sessions
- Beginning the week of February 24th, and ending the week of May 27th
- Choose Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday classes
- 9:00 – 11:00 am
Mornings Together classes offer a gentle introduction to Waldorf Education for parents and their little ones. We will focus on the “Three Rs” – Rhythm, Reverence, and Repetition – which so perfectly nourish and support the foundational senses of the young child. Each morning will be a joyful journey through outdoor and indoor play and exploration, preparation and sharing of food around the table, and seasonal songs, stories, and crafts. Parents will build a practice of sustained peaceful observation time each week, and share conversations on topics such as sleeping and waking, eating, communication, and healthy boundaries.
Tuition includes:
- One weekly in-person class for one adult and one toddler.
- All materials
Mornings Together classes meet on our Los Altos campus at 11311 Mora Drive.
Nature and Nurture Family Connections with Teacher Anchita Nidhindra
for parents/caregivers and their children 0-36 months
Join us on a meander in nature with other parents and their little wanderers. The focus of our time together will be how we can nourish ourselves as well as our connection to our youngsters and each other. Come share, connect, and be in community, while recharging in nature. As we explore together, we will cultivate an appreciation and preparedness for experiences amid seasonal, outdoor elements, and share the rewards offered by nature and community. We will gather each week at a local nature preserve or open space to explore, discover, and support one another in our parenting journeys. This program is especially designed for parents/caregivers and their children, with their littles ages 0*-36 months in mind. Examples of past and potential locations are: Shoup Park, Sanborn County Park, Picchetti Ranch preserve, Hidden Villa etc.
Tuition is for one family with up to two adults, and their children aged 0 – 36 months.
This session meets on six Friday mornings: 3/7, 3/21, 4/4, 4/25, 5/9, and 5/23 from 9:30 – 11:15 am.
The location for the first gathering will be shared via email in advance.
See our Registration Policies and Wait List Information
Nature & Nurture is full for the Winter/Spring 2025 Session.
Warm Beginnings
Classes for a parent or caregiver and an infant aged birth*-11 months/not-yet-walking
Returning in Fall 2025
Bring your infant and join in creating a safe, nurturing, community space with other families. Strengthen confidence in your own capacities and those of your baby, and deepen your understanding of the magical unfolding that takes place in the first year of life, in some of the following ways:
- Cultivate a practice of sustained peaceful observation time to connect with your baby and strengthen a sense of reverence and understanding of their innate competence in accomplishing the developmental tasks inherent to each age and stage.
- Learn and share seasonal songs/fingerplays/rhymes together with your baby.
- Enjoy warm drinks and nourishing snacks.
- Share joys and struggles in conversation, guided by a trained Waldorf Early Childhood educator (who is also a parent and grandparent).
- Experience an introduction to the foundational senses of touch, self-movement, balance, and well-being, and the ways in which predictable rhythms, freedom of movement/play, healthy sleep, warmth, and nourishment support these senses in the life of the young child.
Tuition includes:
- One weekly in-person class for infant(s) and their parent(s) or caregiver.
- All materials.
Warm Beginnings classes meet on our Los Altos campus at 11311 Mora Drive.
Preparing the Path – Sunday Series
Classes for expectant families on all paths to parenthood, including adoption, surrogacy, foster care, and pregnancy.
Returning in Fall 2025
- 4 Sundays
- 9:00 – 11:00 am
- For adults only.
Tuition includes:
- Four Sunday morning gatherings for expectant parents
All materials.
Preparing the Path classes will meet at a location convenient to our Los Altos campus.
Gather with other expectant families in a warm, inclusive space to begin laying the groundwork for your growing family with love, intention, and self-compassion. Facilitated by a postpartum doula who is also a trained Waldorf early childhood teacher, soon-to-be parents will begin to envision and craft their family culture through artistic activities, guided discussion, and relaxed conversation. A shared picture of the inherent wisdom of a child’s unfolding capacities and particular needs from birth and through the first three years will inform each family’s unique exploration of how to trust, protect, and nourish this organic development from a place of empowerment and authenticity. While much necessary focus and attention is directed toward preparing for pregnancy, birth or adoption – Preparing the Path will provide expectant parents with an opportunity to slow down and thoughtfully consider what will follow in order to move through this tender and joyful transition gently and with purpose.
Registration Information and Policies
Policies and registration links can be found here.
*Expectant families are always welcome to join.
Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten & Kindergarten
The distinguishing characteristics that I notice about Waldorf students are their creative thinking, their self-confidence, and their love of learning — qualities that make learning refreshing.
