The Early Childhood Program at Hawthorne Valley School encompasses three mixed-age classes serving approximately 50 children (ages three to six.) In addition, we offer two parent-child programs for parents and their children (ages one to three.)

For additional information or an application, please fill out and send the Online Request Form on the Admissions & Information Inquiry Form section of this website or call our Admissions Office at (518) 672-7092, ext. 111.

Peach Blossom Parent-Child Program
for parents and their children up to 3 years old
Thursday or Friday morning
from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Peach Blossom Kindergarten
for children 3 - 5 years old
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings
from 8:15 AM to 12:00 noon

Rose and Morning Star Kindergartens
for children 4 - 6 years old
3 - 5 mornings per week
from 8:15 AM to 12:00 noon

Afternoon Playgroup
for Hawthorne Valley School Kindergarten children
1 - 5 afternoons per week
from 12 noon to 2:30 PM

The early childhood curriculum begins with two basic tenets: that the child, before the age of seven learns through imitation, and that play is the "work" of early childhood. With these as a foundation, the Hawthorne Valley Early Childhood Program provides an environment of activities worthy of the child's imitation in which the child feels secure enough to explore the many possibilities for creative, free play. The early childhood teachers strive to understand the child and work with a developmentally appropriate curriculum.

The young child has a strong need for familiarity and predictability. As teachers, we work consciously with rhythm in the kindergarten—the great rhythms of the seasons, as well as the smaller rhythms of the weeks and days. Through story, verse, song, and movement, we live with seasonal moods and experience subtle changes. There are many special celebrations that mark the festivals of the year and also afford opportunities for parental involvement. The weekly rhythms include storytelling (with beeswax modeling), watercolor painting, eurythmy (a movement class), bread baking, and soup making. The daily rhythm includes circle-time, coloring, free-play, snack preparation, clean up, rest, snack time, and outdoor activity. These activities create a vessel of security and predictability in which the child can relax and proceed confidently.

We are especially fortunate at Hawthorne Valley to have a 400-acre, biodynamic farm across the road. Throughout the year, we make frequent visits to the farmers, the gardens, and the animals.

Each activity in the Early Childhood Program helps the child take hold of his body in a healthy way, integrates the senses, and lays a firm foundation for academic learning through the grades.