ADMISSIONS
Nursery, Pre-K & Kindergarten
Growing
A Typical Day
Early Childhood Programs
Our Early Childhood Programs provide a bridge from home to school while nourishing and supporting the development and growth of each child as a unique individual.
The programs include Early Years for child and parent together, Nursery drop off (two, three and five days per week) Pre-Kindergarten (four or five days a per week) and Kindergarten (five days per week). Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten at WSOC honors the “kingdom of childhood.” The rooms are simply decorated and softly lit, the toys soothing to the touch, the atmosphere is reverent and purposeful. We learn by doing, we discover through play, and we enjoy a wealth of pre-academic activities from finger knitting and cooking to gardening and outdoor crafts. Each day follows a rhythm of in-breaths (circle time, inside play) and out-breaths (outdoor fun, snack time). Our daily rhythms build confidence and boost skills that will serve the child as they enter the grades.
If you have already visited our school and you are ready to submit an enrollment application for your child, let’s begin!
This page contains step-by-step instructions to describe the process. However, if you’d like some additional support, please contact Kathy Christian in the admissions office or call (949) 574-7775 x206. Choosing the right school for your child is a heartfelt decision. Our commitment to you is to support you every step of the way, and to share our admissions decision as soon as possible after you have completed our admissions application process.
The application process for Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten begins with a mandatory Early Childhood Orientation Evening – please go to our Events Calendar to see specific dates for these events. Applications may be completed at any time throughout the year, but those received prior to the application deadline will receive priority. If there are spaces remaining following this first round of applicants, additional applicants will be considered. Participation in our Playgroup program is beneficial, but is not a requirement for consideration to Pre-Kindergarten.
SubmitTING an Application
If a class is full, your application will be placed on file to be contacted when a space becomes available. A new application must be filled out for each academic year. Only one fee is required.
If there is space available in the class, the application will be forwarded to the Early Childhood Faculty for discussion and decision based upon class size and make-up.
If agreed, the applicant and parents are invited to a Family Interview with the two class teachers.
If it is agreed that it would be beneficial, the student may be invited to visit the class for one or more days.
A decision will be sent in writing to the applicant.
If an offer has been made, a student may not begin class until Registration has been completed.
Once your application is “complete” with all of the above, we will schedule a Shadow Day and Parent & Student Interview
Applications are considered “complete” and will be processed when all of the above has been received.
Decision letters will be mailed after interview and shadow day has been completed.
After a student has been accepted, an end-of-year transcript from the student’s current school should be provided to:
Waldorf School of Orange County
Attn: Admissions Director
2350 Canyon Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Learning
Curriculum
Early Childhood Programs
Our Early Childhood Programs provide the bridge from home to school while nourishing and supporting the development and growth of each child as a unique individual. The programs include the Playgroup for child and parent together, Pre-Kindergarten (four or five days per week) and Kindergarten (five days per week).
The Kindergartens
The Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten day includes circle time, story, creative play and outside play. Play, being the work of the young child, is the time for the child to live in his/her imagination and imitate, reenact and explore the world around them. Seasonal circles and stories are offered daily. Circle time integrates movement, songs and recitation. The children’s imaginations are engaged through storytelling and puppetry. Activities include watercolor painting, baking, handwork (crafts), gardening and walks in nature. Each artistic activity has its own special day and contributes to the soothing rhythm of the week.
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Mandatory Early Childhood Information Evening:
The application process for our private Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten begins with a mandatory Early Childhood Orientation Evening. Reservations are required – please go to our Events Calendar to see specific dates for these events.
Your attendance at this meeting is the first step in the application process for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten. Our Early Childhood teachers will describe the curriculum and activities, as well as the developmental philosophy of our program. Ideally, both parents should attend this meeting. Adults only, please.
Morning in the Kindergarten:
Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten-aged children and their parents are invited together to experience a morning in the Waldorf kindergarten. This is an opportunity for you and your child to experience a shortened day in the classroom and for you to have a peek into the life of a Waldorf classroom. Reservations are required — please go to our Events Calendar to see specific dates and to rsvp for these events.
Participation in our Playgroup program is beneficial, but is not a requirement for consideration to Pre-Kindergarten.
Rhythm
Extended Care
Extended care for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten is a conscious continuation of a rhythm in support of the Waldorf school day. Along with a rest period at the beginning, activities include arts and crafts, supervised outside play, stories and games.
Please note, extended care is not available for students in the Nursery Program at this time. Please see After School Programs on our website for more details.
Sample Schedule for Extended Care
1:15 – 1:45 —Rest/quiet indoor play
1:45 – 2:15 — Outside play
2:15 – 2:45 — Snack
2:45 – 4:30 — Inside play, story time, games
