Transforming Smiles One Treatment at a Time
Welcome to Mount Baker Preschool, a unique Waldorf cooperative preschool nestled in the heart of Seattle. Since our early beginnings in the 1980s, we have been dedicated to providing a nurturing and inspiring learning environment for young children. Our community is a diverse and inclusive group of individuals who strive to love and care for all of the children as if they were our own. We welcome families of every race, creed, religion, and sexual orientation, and are committed to removing barriers that might prevent families from joining us.
Our Philosophy
At Mount Baker Preschool, we believe that education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. We are committed to developing the creative, nurturing, and cognitive capabilities of our students. We are a member of the Waldorf Early Education Association of North America and strive to nurture:
- Love and warmth
- Free, imaginative play
- Care for the environment and awareness of our interaction with the world around us
- Gratitude, reverence and wonder
As a cooperative, our teachers design and implement the curriculum, and parents work to support them in creating an environment where our children are free to learn, explore, and play safely. We believe that young children learn best when they are given the opportunity to play freely, explore, and direct their own learning. The classroom is intended to resemble a home with an emphasis on natural materials, the smells of grains cooking in the kitchen, and a large communal table for sharing meals. Our day at school flows with a predictable rhythm and alternates between periods of free play (outdoor and indoor) and coming together to share a meal, join in circle time, or gathering at the art table for a quiet project.
Our Services
At Mount Baker Preschool, we offer a variety of services to meet the needs of our families. Our daily schedule includes:
- Outside play: Physical activity including climbing, jumping, swinging, splashing in puddles, running, and digging
- Daily walks, and adventures in our local community
- Gardening
- Inside play: Circle time with songs, games and poetry
- Oral storytelling and puppetry
- Drawing, painting, sewing, finger-knitting, and crafts
- Preparing wholesome snacks and baking bread
We also offer a variety of community and family events throughout the year, including seasonal celebrations such as pumpkin patch, Bradner Gardens Halloween party, lantern walk, winter spiral, kite day, and maypole dance.
Enrollment
Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year opens in February. For more information about the enrollment process, please view our enrollment page. We welcome families in need to apply for financial aid and are committed to removing barriers that might prevent families from joining us.
Donations
Mount Baker Preschool is a non-profit organization that relies on the generosity of our community to support our mission. We welcome donations of any size and are grateful for the support of our families and friends. Donations can be made directly via PayPal or by supporting Mount Baker Preschool through Amazon. Your support helps us to provide scholarships for families in need and to maintain and improve our facilities and programs.
Program Focus and Philosophy
Mount Baker Preschool emphasizes simplicity and learning through play and imagination. The program focuses on nurturing creativity, social competency, and problem-solving skills in a diverse and inclusive environment.
Classroom and Curriculum
The preschool has a mixed-age classroom with 3, 4, and 5-year-olds sharing the play space and materials. The school offers a co-op model, where parents can choose to help out in the classroom, and also provides a non-co-op option. The curriculum is centered around play-based learning, with activities such as art, open-ended play items, story time, and songs.
Outdoor Play and Activities
The school provides ample outdoor playtime, with activities such as gardening and harvesting fresh produce from a partner organic garden. Children are encouraged to explore and play freely, developing important skills such as problem-solving and teamwork.
Teachers and Staff
The teachers and staff at Mount Baker Preschool are highly invested in each child's success and happiness. They emphasize the importance of social and emotional readiness for kindergarten, and provide a supportive environment that encourages children to take risks and learn from their mistakes.
Parent Involvement
Parents are encouraged to be involved in the classroom and are required to take on a certain level of responsibility in the co-op model. While this can be beneficial for some families, it may be a drawback for others.
Consistency and Routine
The school has a strong sense of routine and consistency, which can provide a sense of security and comfort for young children.
Overall Experience
Overall, Mount Baker Preschool provides a nurturing and engaging environment that fosters creativity, social competency, and problem-solving skills in young children. While some families may find the parental involvement requirement challenging, the majority of parents are highly satisfied with the school and its programs.
