Are there any kindergarten programs like this????

[Anonymous]

A program that emphasizes play-based learning, cooperative skills, stress-free academics, and offers lots of music, art, creative/dramatic expression, with understanding teachers who know how to support and encourage kids who are not cookie cutter. Or am I just dreaming? We have a 'good' K placement for next year, in a small private program. But I can already tell that my 'creative' child will have a hard time adjusting to sitting and writing on worksheets. I guess there is homeschooling, but my child also needs to peer to peer socialization...

[Anonymous]

http://www.potomaccrescentschool.org/early_childhood.html#one

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:http://www.potomaccrescentschool.org/early_childhood.html#one

Do you know the class size(s) of Waldorf schools? The one in D.C. has large (like 20) classes for a 'private' school. Assuming OP has a child 'with needs'--as I do--large, say above 15 just won't work.

I do wish there were a more play based focused early education school somewhere in the area. There's the Lucy School, way up in Middletown, MD. Too far for us, but closest to what we've seen.

I'd like to hear any other suggestions as well. A couple of other moms and I are thinking of forming a play-based learning school in the area if all else fails.

[Anonymous]

Lowell School

[Anonymous]

Potomac Crescent class sizes are very small (under 10) - or they were last year...

[Anonymous]

I was told that PC would have 18 kids for the fall. I think that Acorn Hill had 22.

I think that Lowell still has space.

OP, do you mind sharing where your son is going?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:http://www.potomaccrescentschool.org/early_childhood.html#one

Do you know the class size(s) of Waldorf schools? The one in D.C. has large (like 20) classes for a 'private' school. Assuming OP has a child 'with needs'--as I do--large, say above 15 just won't work.

I do wish there were a more play based focused early education school somewhere in the area. There's the Lucy School, way up in Middletown, MD. Too far for us, but closest to what we've seen.

I'd like to hear any other suggestions as well. A couple of other moms and I are thinking of forming a play-based learning school in the area if all else fails.

It really depends on the school, on the classroom, and most of all on the teacher and assistant, as to whether 20 is too many in a Waldorf classroom for a child with SN. I have posted on this board before about how I would not put my SN son in a Waldorf School but I was sending my daughter, who is typically developing. Well when I met a particular teacher at the Wash Waldorf School this past spring, I changed my mind! My son will be one of the 18 (I think - could be 20!) children in one of the mixed-age kindergarten classes in Wash Waldorf next year. He has a pretty severe case of apraxia, low muscle tone, signs of ADD (not ADHD), extreme shyness/social awkwardness, and global developmental delay. He also has a sweet disposition, no behavioral issues, and is very eager to do the kinds of activities they do in the classroom - knit, sew, play with beanbags, hopscotch, paint, jump, climb, etc - much more than he is ready to learn his letters and numbers, so overall, I decided Waldorf might be a good fit after all, and the teacher agreed.

I spent a full day observing her classroom, while my son was there for his class visit, and frankly I found the lead teacher and her excellent assistant better able to manage and teach the class of 18-20 children than my son's special ed teachers are in his current public school classroom of 12 children. At the end of the four hour classroom visit, the teacher gave me feedback on my son including what she saw as his strengths and his challenges that was richer, deeper, and more useful than anything we have learned from the teachers in our current "best public school system in the state" district.

I am a teacher educator for my profession, and honestly, as much as a realtor will tell you that with housing, it's all location location location, so in education is it all teacher teacher teacher. The best school philosophically can still be a nightmare for your child if his or her particular teacher isn't excellent. So it all comes down to who is at the front (or side) of the room, directing the play/learning/interactions.

To get to my point (sorry - long day so I am not being as coherent as I should be), I would not exclude a Waldorf classroom simply because of the number of students who are there. Go observe, talk to the teacher(s), talk to other parents in that particular school, and find out if it's right.

OP, it does sound very much like you would like a Waldorf environment. I am a graduate of a Waldorf school and my daughter has been in a Waldorf school for 4 years (and now my son will join her at Wash Waldorf in the fall), so I am happy to answer any questions about the education that you may have.

[Anonymous]

Burgundy Farm. Class size of up to 16 (last year each class had 13 kids) with 2 full-time teachers. LOTS of emphasis on collaborative, hands on learning. Precious few worksheets, lots of outside time for both recess breaks and outside learning, lots of science and social studies to complement early language arts and math. Very age-appropriate academics and a focus on social, emotional skills and well-being. Lots of art, music, PE, and early introduction to foreign language with a focus on culture and basic sounds/words ... no flash cards! On campus support for speech therapy (not included in price of tuition, however). Teachers are very nurturing and differentiate for each child as needed. Highly recommend.

[Anonymous]

Waldorf starts formal academics later OP, kids typically don't read until 2nd grade, there are no formal academics in K, so it can be hard to switch out of Waldorf in the early years. Either Waldorf or Burgundy Farm offer a very strong program.

[Anonymous]

OP, where are you planning to send you son?

Waldorf starts formal academics later OP, kids typically don't read until 2nd grade. There are no formal academics in K, so it can be hard to switch out of Waldorf in the early years, they are not on the same schedule as non-Waldorf schools, later it all evens out.

Either Waldorf or Burgundy Farm offer a very strong program.

[Anonymous]

I thought Burgundy Farm was not good for kids with special needs? I heard their kids tend to score high on testing?

[Anonymous]

Burgundy Farm is not a good school for special needs. However, the OP asked for a school that was play-based and good for kids who are not "cookie cutter" ... it was in response to the original post that I offered up Burgundy. Given that this thread is located on the special needs forum, I see how it could be confusing. Sorry about that.

[Anonymous]

OP - where are you planning to go?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - where are you planning to go?

What about Georgetown Hill? They end at K, but the directors are fairly accommodating to kids with SN.

[Anonymous]

What is the difference b/w Waldorf & Montessori? My ds definitely needs a school environment where he is not expected to sit at a desk and write a page of sentences every day--at least not for K next year. Yet, he REALLY needs the social (peer-to-peer) interaction, so much so it will need to be a daily support system offered by the teacher(s). Right now he is scheduled to begin a typical K program, but I am scared to death that it will not be a positive experience for him or the school. He did very well learning through Montessori in preschool, but Montessori offers very little/no support for social success. Does Waldorf offer more 'group learning' than Montessori?