Waldorf Kindergarten & Nursery School in Lower Manhattan

New Amsterdam School, New York City:
The New Amsterdam School offers Grade School, Kindergarten, Morning & Afternoon Nursery, Bridge, Parent-Child & Parent-Infant classes in lower Manhattan, New York City, that are inspired by the Waldorf curriculum. Established in 2006, it began as a grassroots alliance of educators, parents and community leaders determined to bring the benefits of Waldorf education to the Lower Manhattan community in New York City. Previously known as “A Child’s Haven,” we adopted our new name in January 2009 to reflect our setting in Lower Manhattan. We are conveniently located for families from the East Village, Lower East Side, West Village, Soho, Tribeca,Battery Park City, Dumbo and other Brooklyn neighborhoods.

Parent-Child & Parent-Infant Classes:
Offered 4 times per year in 9 or 10 week sessions these classes are a wonderful opportunity for Parents and their young children to experience our approach to early childhood education.  The children play in an age-appropriate space that challenges gross and fine motor skills, promotes exploration in a child-friendly environment with simple toys, and develops their fledging social capacities in a small group of other children. Seasonal games and songs, story time, crafts for parents, and a snack together are part of this weekly class. Parents are encouraged to give their focused attention to observing the children. Special attention is given to supporting and understanding the physical and social development of the children.

Bridge Classes:
- Children aged 2½-3½ years
- 2 days per week, 9:15–11:45 AM

New Amsterdam’s Bridge class is designed for the child who is ready for more than a Parent-child class, but needs a longer period of transition to separation from their parents. The bridge class brings children into a structured rhythm with activities including grinding grain, bread making and food preparation for a healthy snack as well as time outside to play. The children also participate in free play, seasonal songs and games and story time. The parents can be in the classroom for the first eight weeks of the school year before and engaged in handwork and classroom projects. In the spring, as the children are ready, we begin to ease them into separation.

Transitional Nursery Program:
- Children aged 2¾ - 3½ years
- 3 days a week, 9:00 - 12:00 noon

New Amsterdam’s transitional nursery is designed for children to ease into the separation process through an 8-week transitional period. Children will need to be potty-trained by November. In this class, children will start to experience the rhythm and structure of school life. As their social capacities awaken, children can engage in longer periods of free play and circle time. Activities such as watercolor painting, simple crafts, washing, cleaning, and food preparation for a healthy snack become an important part of our day. Seasonal songs and games as well as puppetry, story time and time outside to play an important part of the rhythm of our day.

Nursery Program:
- Children aged 3 - 4 years
- 3 or 5 days a week, 8:30 - 12:00 noon

Before the age of seven, children experience everything in their world through the impulse to imitate. Children entering our nursery and kindergarten classes find a sanctuary where they can confidently move, play and explore in a homelike environment with experienced educators prepared to support their development with a peaceful, caring approach. The rhythm of the day is balanced between lively and quiet activities that reflect the child’s need for active play, meaningful social interaction, and attentive focus. Free play, songs, movement games, bread making, snack preparation and cleanup, seasonal crafts, storytelling, and puppetry weave the pattern of the day. The care and reverence that teachers bring to their work gives the children a worthy example to imitate.

Children must be 3 years old by September 1, have successfully transitioned through separation, and be able to manage a morning without a nap in order to enter our half-day nursery class.

Kindergarten Program:
- Children aged 4½ - 6 years
- 5 days a week, 8:30 - 12:00 noon

The diversity of ages in our mixed-aged kindergarten gives the children an opportunity to learn from one another and inspire growth in each other. The younger ones look up to the older ones with reverence, and learn from their example. And the older children are given daily opportunities to help others in need, developing joy and self-confidence as they do so. This is a gift for all, but particularly for those children without siblings at home.

* Children must be 4½ by September 1.