WELCOME TO WILDFLOWER GARDEN
Opening Soon! A gentle holistic early learning program for infants to six year olds located in Bradford Vt
We are a family model, relationship-based program on a five acre homestead surrounded by nature. We offer a full and half day preschool program, a playgroup, and flexible wrap-around childcare options. Inspired by the Waldorf and Reggio philosophies, we aim to create a nurturing home away from home where children are free to grow and explore, allowing their natural sense of wonder to guide the learning process. We believe “life is the curriculum” and a home-like environment is the best place for young children.
HOURS AND TUITION
Below is a description of some of our offerings. Unless noted otherwise, tuition is for Monday through Fridays (all five days). Contact us for a full description of all our programs and rates (including extended care and part time options). Meals and snacks are included in the tuition.
Preschool Program (Ages 2-6): Half days (8:00-12:30) Monthly Tuition $395,
Full days (8:00-4:00) Monthly Tuition $775
Toddler Care (Ages 18 Months- Two Years) Half days (8:00-12:30) Monthly Tuition $550
Full days (8:00-4:00) Monthly Tuition $975
Infant Care and School Age Care Individualized
Parent/Child Playgroup (Ages 2-7, Siblings welcome) Two mornings a week (8:00-12:30)
Suggested donation/supply fee: ten dollars per session
"Go out, go out I beg of you
And taste the beauty of the wild.
Behold the miracle of the earth
With all the wonder of a child."
~ Unknown
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Inspired by LifeWays,® the work of Dr. Rudolph Steiner and guided by the Reggio Emilia approach, we value the child as a capable human being. We believe in nurturing the child's own innate desire learn. We see ourselves as co-learners in this process with them, and recognize the power of a quality environment filled with beauty, goodness and abundant opportunities for discovery.
Built on Warm Supportive Relationships
We believe in connection first, and that the heart of teaching is interaction. We use a loving and warm approach with the children, and practice gentle guidance. We keep our group size small and maintain low student to teacher ratios. We do mixed age groupings and your child will stay with the same teacher for their entire time in our program. Our community of parents, caregivers, friends and neighbors are a vital part of the program. We recognize the value of intergenerational relationships. We create many opportunities for friends and families to participate including hosting a festival for each season. We also welcome families to share their culture and traditions with us.
Emergent Curriculum
Guided by the children’s own sense of wonder, the seasons and the living arts, our days are filled with play, and open ended exploration. We also provide abundant opportunities for children to learn practical life skills such as building, gardening, cleaning, cooking, washing, repairing, and sewing. We interweave math and literacy into our program in a holistic way. We include story time with puppets and other visual aids, read beautiful books, and incorporate repetitive song, verse and finger games all throughout the day. Children have many opportunities to count, follow directions, and develop phonemic awareness.
Nurturing Environments
Our learning environment is set up as a thoughtfully curated "third teacher." We consciously surround the children with goodness, beauty and truth, including using natural materials, soft colors, and designing open invitations for play and discovery. We also believe the outdoors are an ideal learning environment and that nature is one of the best teachers of young children. Children get to work in the garden and experience the farm to table process of growing and preparing food. We provide many opportunities to run, climb, play, and be immersed in the outdoors in a way that is meaningful and enjoyable for each child.
FESTIVALS
Harvest Festival/Michaelmas (late September/Early October)
Lantern Festival/Martinmas (Early November)
Festival of Light/Advent (Mid to Late December)
Candlemas/Imbolc/ Saint Brigid’s Day (Beginning of February)
May Festival (Beginning of May)
Midsummer Picnic (Mid to Late June)
Lammas/Beginning the Harvest (Early August)
OUR STORY
Hi, I am Abby, the founder and lead educator at Wildflower Garden.
Working with children has been a life-long passion of mine. I currently hold a bachelor’s degree in general studies with concentrations in psychology and education. I have worked in professional education as a teacher and preschool director for over ten years, and more recently homeschooled my own children. Wildflower Garden is the result of my years of combined experience as a parent and educator and brings together the best of what I have learned through both environments.
In 2022 I discovered LifeWays, ® an organization that recognizes the value of a homelike environment for young children, and the vital importance of relationship based care in the early years. This year I attended the one week LifeWays in-person fundamentals retreat, and am now working through the year-long online portion of the course. To learn more about LifeWays click on the link below.
At Wildflower Garden we are not trying to create a school at home but rather to create a unique and individualized experience for each child who walks through our doors and to build a community of families learnng from one another and growing together. We believe we were never meant to raise children in isolation, and it is our sincere aim that your whole family will find a nurturing network of friends who become like family and a home away from home where you know your child is being cared for and educated with the same love and tenderness you give to them.