Our Play-Based Programs: Ages 2.5 – 7
Our early years programs are play-based, creating a warm, home-like environment with a consistent daily rhythm that helps your child feel safe, engaged, and confident.
Play is an essential component of a child’s early education. Our play-based approach to early childhood education recognizes that through play, children are actively engaged in meaningful learning.
Children explore their physical abilities, develop social skills, and learn how to collaborate with others. Play supports the growth of important skills like creativity, problem solving, communication, and emotional understanding, while also promoting confidence and independence.
Early Years Waldorf Essentials:
- Love and warmth
- Rhythm and routine
- Care for the environment and nourishment for the senses
- Creative, artistic experiences
- Meaningful adult activity (examples for children to imitate)
- Free, imaginative play
- Protection for the forces of childhood
- Gratitude, reverence, and wonder
- Joy, humour, and happiness
- Adult caregivers on a path of inner development
Childcare: Ages 2.5 – 5
Our childcare operates Monday to Friday, year-round. Regular hours are from 8:30am to 3:30pm, with extended care available from 8:00am to 5:30pm. We offer both full-time and part-time options.
For more information about our childcare, please contact our childcare manager at childcare@nelsonwaldorf.org.
Childcare Fee Reduction Initiative
Our childcare centre is a part of the Childcare Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI) program provided by the BC government.
The CCFRI enhances childcare affordability for families by offering funding to eligible, licensed childcare providers to reduce and stabilize childcare fees.
Fees After CCFRI
- Under age 3 (regular hours): $19.66/day
- Under age 3 (extended hours): $21.66/day
- 3+ years (regular hours): $31.13/day
- 3+ years (extended hours): $33.13/day
- Monthly supply fee: $30/month + $1.50/day
To be added to the waitlist, click below:
- 8:00 – Extended hours drop off – Free play outside
- 8:30 – Regular hours drop off – Free play outside
- 9:30 – Nature walk
- 10:00 – Transition inside
- 10:15 – Circle time
- 10:30 – Snack (provided)
- 11:00 – Free play or activity (bread making, watercolor painting, craft, drawing)
- 12:30 – Lunch (brought from home)
- 1:00 – Storytime
- 1:30 – Quiet rest time
- 2:30 – Outside free play
- 3:30 – Regular hours pickup
- 4:30 – Afternoon snack (provided)
- 5:30 – Extended hours pick up – Centre closed
Kindergarten: Ages 5 – 7
Our Kindergarten program is mixed-age, for children ages 5 (before Dec. 31) to 7 years old. The program can be either one or two years, depending on birthdate and Grade 1 readiness.
The play-based program runs Monday through Thursday from 8:30 to 3:10. Children spend hours each day outside exploring our forest campus, then come inside for circle, a warm snack, free play and story time.
Rooted in Waldorf Pedagogy, the Kindergarten program also meets BC Ministry of Education curriculum requirements and is staffed by BC certified teachers.
More Information
If you are interested in our Kindergarten program, get on our Interest List for next year TODAY.
Step 1 – Click below to get on our Kindergarten Interest List for the 2026/2027 school year.
Step 2 – We’ll contact you to join one of our Parent + Tot Playdates at the Kindergarten with Miss Heather, February 6th, March 6th or April 10th from 10am – 12pm. If you can’t make it, not to worry, we’re happy to make other arrangements.
Step 3 – Registration will open Spring 2026.
Step 4 – Meet + Greet for parents + children, late August 2026
Step 5 – HOORAY! Kindergarten begins, Sept 2026
- More about tuition
Jasmine Thexton
Child Care Centre Manager
Heather Kezcan
Kindergarten Teacher
WECAN
Nelson Waldorf School Early Years Programs are a proud member of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America.
The mission of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America is to foster a new cultural impulse for the work with the young child from pre-birth to age seven.
WECAN is committed to nurturing childhood as a foundation for renewing human culture.
