2023/24 School Year
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 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! If you are interested in taking over our program please contact us.
Love to all - Paula and Dave
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
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 Nature-rich and home-like rather than institutional or school-like. (See more in Philosophy/Curriculum). Twice a week our setting is at Emigrant Lake, where we share adventures, deepening our relationship to the space and each other. Children intuitively find peace and space to breathe and grow when they spend time in the classroom of nature.
“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
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).
Here's a taste of what we have for you...
Preschool & Kindergarten: 8:30-12:30 M-Th
The word on the street...
Aftercare: 12:30-2:30 T-Th
“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
Aftercare: 12:30-2:30 T-Th
The word on the street...
Aftercare: 12:30-2:30 T-Th
The word on the street...
The word on the street...
The word on the street...
See what families are saying about The Secret Garden Preschool and Kindergarten.
Create your family culture
Create your family culture
The word on the street...
We are here to support you, and help in creating your harmonious family culture through parent-enrichment events and trainings.
FAQs
Create your family culture
FAQs
* Do we teach academics, like a,b,c?
* How do we handle disputes?
About Us
Dedicated Educators
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul." John Muir
Paula was born and grew up in Zimbabwe, where she had the most wonderful childhood she could imagine; adventuring and exploring the big wide outdoors, playing with fairies, riding bikes, feeling free and deeply connected to the natural environment and herself.
She holds the images of childhood innocence close to her heart and, with the dedicated involvement of her husband Dave Nourie, spends much time creating environments where children play, explore, stretch and unfurl in their own delightful ways.
Dave grew up in Chicago and San Diego, where he developed an unshakable love for BMX flatland riding, the outdoors and life in general. (Look him up - he's famous!)
The faculty and staff of The Secret Garden, Preschool and Kindergarten, are here to gently guide and encourage; observe and be worthy of imitation; to smile, laugh, sing, and to hold all life with the utmost reverence.
What a gift it is for us to all spend this time together!
"Imbue thyself with the power of imagination. Have courage for the truth. Sharpen thy feeling for responsibility of soul." Rudolf Steiner
more About Us
Volunteer/Practicum Student
Each term we usually welcome a practicum student or two.