Nature-Based, Waldorf Inspired, Parent-Child Classes

For Families with Children Ages 1-5

Come with your child and play, bake, sing, and socialize with other families in my beautiful Play Garden. Chat with other parents as you watch the children play in the sprinklers, dig in the sandbox, and water the flowers. These are the activities that warm childhood memories are made of.

A Waldorf-Inspired Curriculum Includes:

Seasonal songs, ring games, and puppet shows
Eating a healthy snack together
A trained early childhood teacher to lead activities & support children’s play
Space for children to be immersed in nature
Support for your early childhood parenting
A copy of my book, Joyful Toddlers & Preschoolers: Create A Life that You and Your Child Both Love

Dates for 2025:

Summer Session (choose one):

THURSDAYS, 9:00am – 11:30am, June 5th through July 24th
MONDAYS, 9:00am – 11:30am, June 9 through July 28th

Autumn Session (choose one):

THURSDAYS, 9:00am – 11:30am, September 4th through October 23
MONDAYS, 9:00am – 11:30am, September 8th through October 27th

Scroll below the photos for prices and enrollment information

What Each Day is Like

There’s always time to stop for grapes, raspberries, or cherry tomatoes!

After hanging up your bags, it’s time to play!

After a bit, we tidy up and gather ’round for Circle Time.

Then we head over to the picnic tables for baking and chopping!

We’ll chop fruit in the summer, and vegetables for Stone Soup in the spring and fall.

On summer days I’ll set up the sprinklers…

…while in the fall we will roast apples over the fire pit once the weather gets chilly!

Before heading back to the tables for our meal! In the summer we’ll have bread, fruit and home-made yoghurt

and in the spring and fall everyone contributes to our delicious Stone Soup.

Enrollment for 2025:

Enrollment for 2025 will open on January 27th.

Cost: $495 for one child, $195 per sibling (infants under age 1 are always free. Unenrolled siblings may visit once or twice with advance notice).

I have a limited number of spots for families to enroll at a reduced rate in exchange for help with set-up, clean-up, or snack preparation. If you are interested in learning more about this option, please emails me with the subject line “Helper Family Info.”

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where is it located? The Play Garden is a half-acre garden behind my home in north-west Arvada, near 80th and Quaker (it’s on W. 79th Place in Arvada, CO 80007 if you want to map search). I’ll send you the exact street address once you’re registered.

Do we go inside at all? Nope! This is an outdoor playgroup: rain, shine or snow. I have a bathroom and changing table close by for families to use.

Who is Miss Faith? I am a parenting coach with years of experience in the classroom, as well as two young children of my own. Before starting Play Garden in 2017, I taught at Boulder Waldorf Kindergarten, Rainbow Bridge LifeWays Program, and Shepherd Valley Waldorf School (now Boulder Valley Waldorf School). My book, Joyful Toddlers & Preschoolers: Create a Life that You and Your Child Both Love, was published in autumn 2017 by Hohm Press. Click here or go to the Joyful Toddlers homepage to learn more about me. I have a 10 year-old daughter Sophie, and a 4 year-old son Leo who sometimes joins Play Garden during the summers.

Can I come visit to meet you and see the space? Yes, I’d be happy to arrange a time to chat and show you around! Send me an email at faith@joyfu ltoddlers.com and give me your phone number. I’ll give you a call and we can set up a time for you to come over.

When will you set your dates for the next classes? I normally set my dates for the year in late January and will post them here.

Registration just opened. How can sessions already be full? I open up my registration to returning families a few days before registration opens to the general public.

How big will the classes be? Most classes have around 10 families; I will cap enrollment at 15 enrolled children.

I’m on the waitlist! What are the chances that I’ll get in? How much the waitlist moves varies wildly by year. Some years we move through the entire waitlist, other years no families change their plans at all.

What do classes generally look like? Summer classes are usually bigger and older, with more of multi-child families. Spring and Autumn classes are generally smaller and younger, mostly ages 1-3. However, older children who come during the school year still enjoy it very much and are never bored.

I have an older child I’d like to bring. Can they come too? Children older than age 5 can be enrolled on a case-by-case basis. Please contact me and let’s chat. Older siblings who are NOT enrolled are welcome to join once or twice, with advance notice.

My child isn’t one yet, but I really want to join! Can we enroll? Sure! Just enroll at the one-child price.

My child’s grandparents are visiting from out of town. Can they come too? Sure! Grandparents are always welcome. Other visiting relatives and un-enrolled siblings are welcome to come once or twice per session. Just be sure to give me some advance notice, so we can make enough snack for everyone! Pets, however, should always stay home.

I’d like to come with my spouse/parent/nanny every time. Is that OK? Yes! Especially if you have a new baby or multiple kids, having an extra adult on hand can be nice. Just let me know in the registration comments what your plan is.

Who is responsible for my child while we’re there? I am here to run the class and I have lots of experience helping children navigate the social realm, but you are completely responsible for your children’s safety while you are here. There are hills, boulders and short bridges over the dry creek; if your child is a wobbly toddler or a reckless preschooler, you may need to stick pretty close. Regardless, please always make sure that your child stays within your view.

Questions not answered here? Email me at faith@joyfultoddlers.com with the subject “Play Garden Question”

The Play Garden