THE SECRET GARDEN PRESCHOOL & KG Cultivating creativity, heart, and readiness for life

Nature, play and relationship based preschool & kindergarten

for children from 3-6 years, and their families

Beginnings & endings

Endings and Beginnings

After almost 20 years, it is naturally with mixed feelings that Dave and I have decided to step away from The Secret Garden Preschool & KG at the end of this 2024 school year... we are retiring the school, not ourselves!

We will be working more with adults; teaching, training, coaching and sharing our knowledge to support others in working holistically with children.

Keep your eyes open for our new trainings and workshops which we are excited to share!

We would love, love, love to support others in starting their own healthy programs, so please do reach out to us if we can help in any way!

Love to all - Paula and Dave

As one example-

Mission

The Secret Garden Preschool and Kindergarten supports healthy family culture and child development by nurturing the whole child and by offering family enrichment programs, classes, mentoring, and community events.

Vision

At The Secret Garden we strive to positively impact the world of children and families through nature based programs imbued with unshakable respect for individual potential, curiosity, creativity, and the innocence of childhood.

Philosophy

The vital importance of the first 7 years of life is deeply understood at The Secret Garden Preschool and Kindergarten. We are dedicated to preserving the essential qualities of childhood innocence while encouraging capable and respectful behavior. We assist your children to be at home in their bodies, in nature, and with others. We strive to empower your child’s imagination, creativity and ability.

At The Secret Garden, we recognize harmonious family culture as central to the foundation for learning and the future success of all children. We provide a natural, warm, and respectful environment to nourish and support each child’s individual development and growth, inviting a sense of curiosity for children and their families. Our holistic approach is play-relationship-nature based and offers all children the opportunity to learn through purposeful interactions with their environment while fostering joy, creativity and wonder.

Pedagogy

In our fast-paced world, where the full experience of childhood is often compromised, the Waldorf/Holistic early childhood curriculum gives children the time and space to be themselves and grow at their natural pace. At The Secret Garden we embrace each child’s individuality and developmental needs by offering rich multi-sensory experiences.

Through play, the children’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills are enhanced. These experiences combined with the daily, weekly and seasonal rhythm fosters security and trust, contributing to a solid foundation for their future schooling and overall success.

A balanced, holistic approach to the educational experience sets the stage for children to gain the necessary knowledge and skills to go forth into the world with self-confidence and responsibility for their own destiny.

We are dedicated to offering uplifting programs for children, families and educators.

In this way, there is hope for a brighter future, led by our children who have been given everything they need to be self motivated, free thinking, well adjusted members of a healthy new world, in tune with and capable of acting from their hearts.

Holistic Early Childhood Education

In the early childhood setting, children are entrusted to our care. That is worth repeating: children are entrusted to our care. Families depend on us to provide the best possible care for their blossoming children. The future will be theirs to hold. This is not to be taken lightly, it is serious business that matters. What kind of adults will the children of today become? Will their thinking be open and curious, their hands capable, and their hearts kind and warm?

Professional Development

Support the holistic development of the children in your care. From holistic practices in education to sustainable well-being and effective meetings, we offer courses and training that can help you to connect more deeply to yourself and your work with children.

Caring for Children as a Gift

Taking care of children is a gift, a challenge, and a potentially daunting responsibility. In order to stand in our strength and certainty in this task, who we are as human beings is of the utmost importance. From a place of integrity, we endeavor to love what we do, attentive to our individual path of inner development, creativity and overall well-being, thus forming the roots for what we offer the children and families. It is vital that the families are in alignment with what we offer, that we feel as though we are an extension of the family. We are here to support the well-being of all, not to require children and families to conform to ambiguous standards. When things are harmonious between families and early learning programs, health will inevitably abound, children will be free to take risks that will serve them well, and the sense of belonging will prevail.

The First 7 Years

These first seven years form the foundation upon which the future is built. To the young child, the world is good, and the world is beautiful. It is essential that we pay attention and demonstrate these principles through everything we bring to the children. Our work is to nurture and nourish the children with intention and mindfulness in order that they may flourish in their own individual way. The preschool, or early childhood program, is a place where attention is given to the complete well-being of the child and their family, as a warm blanket on a cold winter day. “The adults who surround the children are extremely important as they provide a rhythmical and ordered structure for the children. They can demonstrate an enjoyment of work as well as the willingness to work hard” (Jaffke, 2006, p. 71).

Our Work - Your Work

The holistic early childhood environment is not a place for chemicals, foul language, sugar, or foods with low nutritional value. From their beginnings, the children count on us to provide them with goodness, warmth, kindness, generosity of being, open hearts and kind eyes. This is our work. Again, the children trust us. It is essential that we are attentive to doing good things. When we approach our work day with frustration, bitterness, criticism and anxiety, that is what we impart upon the children, who see all, hear all, and make constant decisions about how life is or will be. The holistic early childhood practitioner must be aware of their thoughts, words, and actions. When our thoughts are elsewhere, the children sense or feel that we are not with them and may go to any length to get our attention. Perhaps this contributes to the challenging behavior we increasingly witness in the early years? Practitioners, to their dismay, are kept so busy documenting and managing children displaying challenging behaviors that they are not able to be fully present with the children. What they want is to care for the children in loving ways, not to spend their precious time focusing on milestones and other aspects of child development.

Holistic/Waldorf Early Childhood Educators

The Holistic/Waldorf early childhood educator works with the young child by creating a warm, beautiful and loving Nature-rich, home-like environment, which is protective and secure, and where things happen in a predictable, rhythmic manner. Here s/he responds to the developing child in two basic ways:

First, s/he engages in domestic, practical, and artistic activities the children can readily imitate (for example, baking, painting, gardening, and handicrafts), adapting the work to the changing seasons and festivals of the year.

Secondly, the Holistic/Waldorf kindergarten teacher nurtures the children’s power of imagination by telling carefully selected stories and by encouraging free play. This free or fantasy play, in which children act out scenarios of their own creation, helps them to experience many aspects of life more deeply. When toys are used, they are made of natural materials. Wood, cotton, wool, silk, shells, stones, pine cones and objects from nature that the children themselves have collected are used in play and to beautify the environment.

Sensory integration, eye-hand coordination, appreciating the beauty of language, sequencing, and other basic skills necessary for the foundation of academic learning are fostered in the kindergarten. In this truly loving, natural and creative environment, children are provided with a range of activities to prepare them for later learning and for life itself.

More about The Secret Garden Preschool & Kindergarten

What we do with our days together.

"...a child's spirit is not some casual sentiment to be added to his or her curricula of life like a spice or bit of seasoning, but rather it is the essence of life itself.) Joseph Chilton Pearce

“Our highest endeavor must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives. The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.”

~ Rudolf Steiner

Upcoming events

Please phone (541)951-1580 to find out about our Winter Break, Spring Break and Summer Programs.

Testimonials

Paula and Dave...

-Thank you for your kindness, compassion and spirit! M family

-Just can't thank you enough! Thank you for your gentle guidance. S. D. LL

-We love you so much and so appreciate everything you do for our family and I can't wait for what's to come. N

-Soooo grateful for you both. E. R.

-We are blessed to get to come to you! A. N. S.

-How lucky we are to have you in our lives! Thank you for all your kind and wise words. J. D. D. E.

Holistic Early Childhood Education Outlined

“Receive the children in reverence, educate them in love, and send them forth in freedom.” Rudolf Steiner

Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy on education (Waldorf/Steiner Education) is based upon his own spiritual and scientific research of the human being. From Steiner’s viewpoint, the influence of the teacher and parent plays a significant role in the well-being of the child. The first 7 years being the foundational years, wherein the child is learning through imitation, are of great importance and influence upon the later years. “The first thing to be aimed for is a living comprehension of the child in all its pulsing life” (Steiner, The Child's Changing Consciousness, 1996)

(See Curriculum for more)

Click here for an inspiring article on holistic/Waldorf practices in early childhood.

https://wn.rsarchive.org/Articles/LecPed_index.html

Holistic Early Childhood Educators

"See how nature - trees, flowers, grass grow in silence; see the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence...we need silence to be able to touch souls." Mother Teresa

The Holistic early childhood educator works with the young child by creating a warm, beautiful and loving home-like environment, which is protective and secure, and where things happen in a predictable, rhythmic manner. (See Curriculum for more).

Holistic Early Childhood Educators

"See how nature - trees, flowers, grass grow in silence; see the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence...we need silence to be able to touch souls." Mother Teresa

Community Videos

Playful Concepts You Tube Channel

Welcome to The Secret Garden!

Playful Concepts YouTube Channel

The Lake

Holistic/Waldorf Inspired Early Childhood Education Outlined

"Receive the children in reverence, educate them in love, and send them forth in freedom." Rudolf Steiner

Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy on education (Waldorf/Steiner Education) is based in these words and his spiritual-scientific research of the human being. From Steiner’s viewpoint, the personal work of the teacher and parent plays a significant role in the well-being of the child. The first 7 years being the foundational years, wherein the child is learning through imitation, are of great importance and influence upon the later years. “The first thing to be aimed for is a living comprehension of the child in all its pulsing life” (Steiner, The Child's Changing Consciousness, 1996)

The early childhood teachers and parents model behavior worthy of imitation and are attentive to the quality of the child’s surroundings; the rhythm of their day; the senses, including the warmth or manner in which the children are clothed and fed; their relationship to nature and the seasons; the significance of play, movement, storytelling and music and the artistic environment are aspects comprising Waldorf Early Childhood Education. “Our bodies are permeated by rhythm, in the beating of our hearts, the breathing of our lungs, women’s cycles of fertility, and the circadian rhythms of our metabolism. But as modern human beings, we have also established a life that is removed from the rhythms of nature.” (You Are Your Child's First Teacher, 2000) Steiner’s educational philosophy is detailed and widely studied. There are over 1,000 Waldorf schools worldwide, with over half of those being in the United States. Waldorf education goes through high school with the majority of the schools being 1st through 8th grade, wherein the class teacher remains with the class for the duration. Steiner based Early Childhood programs are generally in “home like” settings, offer nature, play and relationship based curriculum with substantial parent education and the celebration of seasonal festivals. (You Are Your Child's First Teacher, 2000)

Steiner’s philosophy is based on his study of human development, which forms the outline of Waldorf education. That the children are actively involved in their learning and environment is a given. The curriculum is brought to the children through close interaction with the surroundings, via poems, songs, movement, circle, storytelling, puppetry, and arts. (Steiner, Rhythms of Learning, 1998)

Steiner’s ideas are certainly applicable, effective and desirable for today’s early childhood programs. Teachers appear to be hungry for a deeper knowledge of their work and have an interest in the health that this philosophy presents, including the inner work of the teacher and nourishing quality of Waldorf Early Childhood programs. In Waldorf early childhood programs, the inner work or soul life of the teacher is of prime importance in order that they may be better prepared to meet the challenges of today’s early childhood programs and more able to be adults worthy of imitation. The therapeutic aspects of this educational model have much to offer our educational system in general, particularly in the early years. “Everything that affects a child from outside is recreated within”. (Steiner, Rhythms of Learning, 1998)

Dancy, R. B. (2000). You Are Your Child's First Teacher. CA: Celestial Arts. 

Michaela Glockler, M. (2000). A Healing Education. CA: Rudolf Steiner College Press.

Steiner, R. (1998). Rhythms of Learning. NY: Anthroposophic Press. 

Steiner, R. (1996). The Child's Changing Consciousness. NY: Anthroposophic Press.

Young boy pumping water from an old red hand pump outdoors.

A little bit of sweetness

Days at The Secret Garden Preschool & KG

"Childhood is a time of wonder and awe...What wonder does is help us see the sacred in the world." Tobin Hart Ph.D.

At The Secret Garden Preschool and Kindergarten, our holistic early childhood practices are based upon the fundamental need for relationship-based care (bonding and continuity), neurological research, and recognition of living arts (domestic, nurturing, creative and social arts) as central to the advancement of children’s social, emotional and intellectual skills. The physical setting is home-like rather than institutional or school-like.
• Adult and child activities include practical life skills such as building, gardening, cleaning, cooking, washing, repairing, and sewing, among other things.
• Movement/play curriculum emphasizes child-initiated activities that promote healthy musculoskeletal development, providing opportunities for unstructured, spontaneous movement in a safe environment. Traditional games and finger-plays provide opportunities for the children to imitate healthy movement, develop senses to support the foundations for learning, and increase both small and large motor skills.
• The children spend large chunks of time outside in all weather. This helps them become more robust and strengthens their bond with the environment in which they live.
• Child guidance is based on: observation, presence, respect, communication and warmth.
• Natural organic foods are provided and often prepared together.
• Foundation for lifelong literacy is fostered through storytelling and puppetry, individual lap time with a book, poetry, verse, daily singing and music, drama, and the daily interactions of play and movement in a healthy, secure environment.
• Emphasis is on loving human interaction with warm speech, live singing, verses, and stories rather than technology. The Secret Garden Preschool and Kindergarten is a television and video-free environment.
• Celebrations honoring traditional seasonal festivals, cultural backgrounds of the families, and children’s birthdays are offered.
• When possible, ongoing relationships are established with senior adults and youth who visit on a regular basis.
• Our program provides a developmentally appropriate, nature-rich, play-based approach found in Waldorf/Holistic preschools and kindergartens throughout the world.