Best Waldorf School San Jose Near Me

4worldlovers: Salamander Nature Awareness School is a small preschool program taking preschoolers on outdoor adventures daily. Our 2 day forest preschool classes of 3 to 5 year-olds spend time in the beautiful Vasona Lake County park here in Silicon Valley. Parent and Child classes for 2 to 3 year olds are offered on a varying basis (see below). The children hike, play with each other and what they find, hear stories and enjoy a healthy lunch (that you provide) out in nature. As many studies show, allowing children to experience nature regularly is important for their physical, emotional, social and intellectual development. The teacher shares her love of nature and environmental stewardship with the children. Their health and safety is of primary importance as they have time for child directed play and learn to interact with care for each other and nature. Salamander School offers a unique preschool experience meeting this spacious park in Los Gatos.


Your child, age 3-5 years old, can be in a 2-day forest preschool class on Tuesday and Thursdays OR Monday and Fridays from 9:30am-1pm, with five other drop-off children for the school year. Enrolling in both classes may be an option. Depending on enrollment one or three days a week may be available. Summers usually are Monday and Wednesday and/or Tuesday and Thursdays with some Fridays. Students will explore and observe nature with the teacher and grow socially with their peers. The class will focus on building their connection to nature and emotional awareness. Your child will use all their senses to develop physically, emotionally and intellectually. The teacher can share observations about your child's development with you.

To apply for School Year classes, please go to the Application page.

1 or 2 week Summer sessions for ages 3-6 years old, so there may be up to eight drop-off children, as described above may still be available after existing students register in early February. For more Summer Sessions information, please go to the Application page.

Join your 2 to 3 year old child(ren) in a series of once (or twice) a week forest preschool classes from 9:30-11:30am (or 12:30pm) at the park, with up to 10 other children. The teacher will lead parents and children in circle gatherings and on nature hikes. The class will encourage the children to socialize and connect with their environment. Parents are asked to keep cellphones off, focus on the beauty of nature and see their child using all of their senses. The teacher will interact with your child and observe if they are ready to join a drop-off nature based class. Siblings may be able to attend with prior agreement from the teacher and payment for children over age 2. You will bring your own water and snack and are responsible for your own children. Priority will be given to these students when applying for dropoff classes when they turn three.

To apply for Parent & Child classes, please go to the Application page.

Salamander Nature Awareness School is a small forest preschool program taking three to five year olds on outdoor adventures daily in a county park in Silicon Valley. They explore and observe nature with the teacher and grow socially with their peers, using all their senses to develop physically, emotionally and intellectually. Two year olds can join the class with their parent in the circle gatherings and on the nature hikes. Parents keep cellphones off, to focus on seeing their child experiencing the beauty of nature.

Born and raised in Hawaii, I enjoyed swimming in the warm ocean, seeing waterfalls in tropical forests and double rainbows. Banana, papaya, mango, and coconut trees grew in yards along with brightly colored flowers, while birds and geckos were often seen and heard. So many of my senses were engaged with my surroundings, it was paradise. This experience of the natural world I wanted for my own children while living in Silicon Valley. So I sought out like minded parent groups, a forest preschool and early childhood educators.

4worldlovers: Stratford Private Preschool in the Almaden Valley area of San Jose is committed to providing quality education and care to children in the Dartmouth, Crossgate, Kooser and Sunrise Almaden communities.