Kindergarten

Our Philosophy:

The experience at the New Village School Kindergarten is harmonious, nurturing, rhythmical, and a place where every child feels at home. In this setting, curiosity and creativity flourish. Children participate in meaningful tasks that develop coordination, independence, and cooperative social skills while unfolding imaginative capacities that build a strong foundation for life and later academics. Within our core tenant, childhood is preserved and respected through slowing down and allowing children to be children.

Our kindergartners sing, move, make art, work in the garden, make soup, bake bread, share meals, clean up, listen to stories, go on adventures in nature, and, of course, play! Free play is the most important learning experience for kindergarteners and is given a key place during the course of the day. During play, we step back and observe the children in order to ensure development towards well-being and health. When necessary, the teachers step in to support their social interactions and ensure they play with each other in a healthy manner. Every child must feel seen, heard, and understood.

Our Kindergarten simulates a daily and weekly form that allows for calm and ease. Within this form there is room for flexibility, spontaneity and creativity. When there is a natural rhythm to the day, children feel more at ease, which in turn creates smoother transitions and overall less of a need for loving discipline.

Kindergarten children begin their day with music and movement in what we call Morning Circle where they are welcomed by the older children with a song creating a strong sense of family and community. After Morning Circle, they go to their own space to engage in teacher-led activities such as recitation, painting, beeswax, clay, handwork, woodwork, and seasonal crafts. Tools and toys are made of natural materials offering the children a strong sensory experience to develop their fine motor skills. This artistic work guides young children toward the ability to concentrate for longer periods of time but as an experience filled with joy rather than stress. 

In Kindergarten, stories from around the world are shared with the children, bringing to life human qualities, such as courage, kindness and honesty. These stories strengthen their listening skills, memory skills, and vocabulary. Through oral storytelling, the children create their own inner pictures free and uncluttered by adult intervention and animations on a screen. We strongly encourage screen free childhood.

Once a week, our kindergarteners travel off-campus to local beaches and forests. Once a month, they explore our farmland in Novato to work in the garden space, climb the oak trees, and care for the animals (chickens, goats, and alpacas).

We care deeply for our parents/guardians and support them as they set boundaries, slow down, tell stories and create more joy. We thank you for the opportunity for us to be a part of your child's precious early years.

General Info:

• The entry age is 4 years, 2 months
• Kindergarten Hours 8:10am-3:10pm, 5 days a week.
• The current annual tuition is $21,500. Payments are made annually, quarterly, or monthly. We offer Tuition Adjustment to qualified applicants.
• The application deadline for the 2025-26 school year is January 27th, 2025. Visit our Admissions Page below to learn more and begin the admissions process.