Program	Ages	Caregiver attends?	Schedule	A lovely fit for…
Peapod Playgroup FREE	0–3 years	Yes	Wednesdays, 9–11 a.m.; drop-in	Relaxed play, connection and a first experience of our community
Lighthouse Parent-Child Class	18 months–3½ years	Yes	One morning each week; offered in 5–8 week sessions	Seasonal songs, crafts, free play and a gentle introduction to Waldorf rhythms, led by one of our early childhood educators
Young Nursery Classroom	18 months–3 years	No	Three full days; option to add a fourth morning or full day	A nurturing first independent classroom experience
Nursery	2½–4 years	No	Four or five days; morning or full-day options	Imaginative play, outdoor learning and growing independence
Kindergarten	4–6 years	No	Four or five days; morning or full-day options	School readiness through purposeful work, movement, stories and play

Early Childhood Programs

Where Wonder Gets to Take Its Time

Seacoast Waldorf School offers nurturing early childhood programs for children ages 18 months through 6 years, along with parent-child classes and a free playgroup for younger children. Located in Eliot, Maine, and serving the greater Seacoast Maine and New Hampshire, our programs combine imaginative play, outdoor exploration, practical activities, storytelling, movement, and dependable daily rhythms.

Come Experience Early Childhood at Seacoast Waldorf School

The best way to understand our program is to experience it. Visit our classrooms, meet our teachers, and see how children move through the rhythm of their day.

Below, please find details on each of our Early Childhood programs:

Peapod Playgroup

Peapod Playgroup is a free drop-in parent-and-child playgroup for babies, toddlers, and young children ages 0 to 3. Children attend with a parent or caregiver and are invited to explore a welcoming Waldorf-inspired classroom while adults connect with other local families.

The playgroup meets Wednesdays from 9–11 a.m. Families may drop in for relaxed play and community connection. Simple, open-ended toys and natural materials give children space to explore at their own pace in a calm and nurturing environment.

Peapod offers families an easy first experience of the Seacoast Waldorf School Early Childhood community in Eliot, Maine. No prior experience with Waldorf education is needed.

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Lighthouse Parent-Child Class

The Lighthouse Parent-Child Class offers toddlers and young children a gentle introduction to Waldorf early childhood education. Children ages 18 months to 3½ attend with a parent or caregiver, making Lighthouse a welcoming bridge between home and a child’s first independent school experience.

Led by one of our Early Childhood educators, each class includes seasonal songs, circle time, simple crafts, free play, and opportunities for caregivers to connect. The class meets one morning each week from 9–11 a.m. and is offered in five- to eight-week sessions.

Lighthouse gives families time to experience the rhythms of a Waldorf classroom, become familiar with the school, and build relationships within the Seacoast Waldorf community.

Learn more.

Nursery

Our Nursery Program offers children ages 2½ to 4 a warm, screen-free environment where learning grows from imaginative play, movement, meaningful work, and time outdoors. Children may attend four or five days per week, with morning and full-day schedules available.

Each day follows a dependable rhythm that may include creative free play, seasonal songs, stories, painting, beeswax modeling, outdoor exploration, and preparing a wholesome snack together. Natural materials such as wooden blocks, silk cloths, shells, and simple dolls invite children to create their own games and strengthen their imaginations.

Through these experiences, children develop language, coordination, confidence, early social skills, and growing independence. Our nature-based preschool welcomes families from Eliot, Kittery, York, South Berwick, Portsmouth, Dover, and communities throughout the Seacoast.

Young Nursery

Our Young Nursery Classroom provides children ages 18 months to 3 with a nurturing introduction to independent group care. Families may choose a four-day schedule, with an optional three-day schedule available for greater flexibility.

The classroom offers a warm, home-like setting shaped by Waldorf early childhood principles. A calm and consistent daily rhythm may include imaginative play, songs, movement, fingerplays, shared snack preparation, sensory-rich activities, and outdoor exploration.

Guided by caring Early Childhood educators, children gradually develop trust, confidence, early social skills, and independence. Natural materials and predictable routines help young children feel secure as they form relationships and discover the pleasure of participating in classroom life.

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Kindergarten

Our mixed-age Waldorf Kindergarten serves children ages 4 to 6 in a nurturing classroom where younger and older children learn alongside one another. Four- and five-day schedules are available, with morning and full-day options. Second-year kindergarten students attend full days.

Kindergarten days include imaginative play, storytelling, puppetry, singing, movement, artistic activities, shared meal preparation, and extended outdoor play in every season. Teachers tell fairy tales and nature stories from memory, helping children strengthen listening, vocabulary, comprehension, and recall.

Rather than rushing children into formal academics, our kindergarten program builds the developmental foundations for later learning. Children develop attention, coordination, self-regulation, creativity, and confidence while experiencing the joy of belonging to a classroom community.

Early Childhood
Frequently Asked Questions

Our Early Childhood classroom programs serve children from 18 months through 6 years old. We also offer parent-and-child programs for younger children and their caregivers.
No. Children do not need to be toilet trained to attend our Early Childhood programs.
A three-day schedule is available only in our Young Nursery program and consists of three full days. The minimum schedule for our older Nursery program is four mornings per week.
Families may choose a morning program from 8:15 a.m. to noon or a full-day program from 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m., depending on the child’s program and schedule.
Yes. Extended care is available for Nursery and Kindergarten children until 4 p.m. Extended care for students in the grades is available until 5 p.m.
Nursery and Kindergarten primarily differ in the ages of the children and the level of responsibility they are ready to take on during the school day. Nursery offers younger children a gentle introduction to classroom life. Kindergarten serves older children who gradually assume greater responsibility within the classroom community.
Yes. Children in the full-day Early Childhood program have a rest or nap period as part of the daily rhythm.
Children generally spend an hour or more outdoors each day, depending on the weather and the day’s activities. Outdoor play is an important part of our Waldorf Early Childhood program throughout the year.
Our Early Childhood classrooms do not use computers, tablets, televisions, or other electronic devices. Children learn through play, movement, stories, artistic activities, practical work, time outdoors, and direct interaction with their teachers and classmates.
At Seacoast Waldorf Schooll, adults are responsible for recognizing bullying, intervening and following established policies to protect children.
Early Childhood tuition begins at $11,100 for the school year for the minimum four-morning schedule. Tuition varies according to the program and schedule selected.

Curious what Tiered Tuition could look like for your family? Talk to our Admissions team (no pressure, just real numbers).
Yes. Seacoast Waldorf School offers Tiered Tuition for Early Childhood families. Financial aid is available for students in the grades.
Yes. We welcome families to visit with their children, meet our Early Childhood educators, and experience the classroom environment. Please schedule a tour so we can arrange the best time for your visit.
Our Early Childhood classrooms average approximately 13 students per class, with two teachers (2:1 teacher/student ratio) per class..

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