Mixed Kindergarten Program Requirements
Our Mixed Kindergarten classes are designed for children 4 years old by the beginning of the school year to 6 years old. This age group includes children who would be eligible for Kindergarten in a traditional school setting. Children on the lower end of this age range may also be eligible for our Preschool program depending on space, class dynamic and development. Children in our Mixed Kindergarten are expected to be potty trained.
Enrollment Information
We offer 2/3/5 full or half day options. Part time options must include a Monday or Friday and be consecutive days.
Full days are from 8:30am - 3:00pm and half days are from 8:30am - 12:30pm.
Children in our Mixed Kindergarten program are eligible for tuition assistance.
Full days are from 8:30am - 3:00pm and half days are from 8:30am - 12:30pm.
Children in our Mixed Kindergarten program are eligible for tuition assistance.
Benefits of Mixed Aged Classes
Our mixed aged classes limit the amount of transitions children have of teachers and environment during this important part in their development. Because children learn through imitation, it also gives our younger children a chance to learn from our older children, while giving the older children a sense of pride in their growth and ability to nurture the younger students in their class. Each year of growth, children are able to take their turn to handle more responsibilities in the classroom.
Rhythm of the day, Week, and Seasons
Every day there is a clear rhythm for children to follow. As the day progresses, activities alternate between open-ended, child-directed activities and more inward activities, like circle-time, story time and eating snack together. Children learn organization skills by following this rhythm and feel secure because they know what to expect.
Our literacy curriculum follows what is developmentally appropriate for children. In Mixed Kindergarten aged children, the foundation for literacy is laid by focusing on developing a love of language through magical story telling, song, poetry, and verse.
Our daily rhythm includes 2-4 hours of outdoor play in our natural playscape and plenty of opportunity for play and socialization throughout the day. While at many other schools children are not allowed out on rainy days, at Bayou Village School, safe rainy days provide children a chance to suit up in their rain gear and enjoy making mudpies and engage in meaningful sensory activities in a natural environment. Children work out many of life's lessons by learning through play and imitation, and giving them the opportunity to creatively imitate what they see adults doing is vital to their growth and development.
The day also includes "home arts", including snack preparation and assisting in daily chores such as setting the table, folding laundry, and cleaning their space. These activities give children a chance to develop a sense of responsibility for their space and their ability to take care of themselves.
Each class has their own weekly rhythm which is followed throughout the year.
Below is an example of a weekly rhythm:
Our literacy curriculum follows what is developmentally appropriate for children. In Mixed Kindergarten aged children, the foundation for literacy is laid by focusing on developing a love of language through magical story telling, song, poetry, and verse.
Our daily rhythm includes 2-4 hours of outdoor play in our natural playscape and plenty of opportunity for play and socialization throughout the day. While at many other schools children are not allowed out on rainy days, at Bayou Village School, safe rainy days provide children a chance to suit up in their rain gear and enjoy making mudpies and engage in meaningful sensory activities in a natural environment. Children work out many of life's lessons by learning through play and imitation, and giving them the opportunity to creatively imitate what they see adults doing is vital to their growth and development.
The day also includes "home arts", including snack preparation and assisting in daily chores such as setting the table, folding laundry, and cleaning their space. These activities give children a chance to develop a sense of responsibility for their space and their ability to take care of themselves.
Each class has their own weekly rhythm which is followed throughout the year.
Below is an example of a weekly rhythm:
Monday: Painting
Tuesday: Bread Baking
Wednesday: Beeswax Molding
Thursday: Soup Making
Friday: Eurythmy
Tuesday: Bread Baking
Wednesday: Beeswax Molding
Thursday: Soup Making
Friday: Eurythmy
Finally, there is the seasonal rhythm. We celebrate seasonal festivals and incorporate certain seasonal activities into the children's daily rhythms. Classes have beautiful nature tables set up by the teachers, which change to reflect the seasons. Children are encouraged to bring nature items they find to add to their class' nature table.
Meet The Teachers
Moonflowers Class
Lead Teacher: Jenna Arbogast-Truver
Jenna has spent most of her life caring for children in varying capacities, beginning when she was just a child herself! She quickly learned that this was her life’s calling. Her teaching career officially began in 2011. She was first introduced to the Waldorf philosophy while attending a teaching workshop. It resonated so deeply that she continued her own research and discovered that this philosophy was in close alignment with her own values and lifestyle. In August of 2016, Jenna accepted a position as a classroom assistant at Bayou Village School. She was soon promoted to a lead position that same year. Jenna is a proud 2019 graduate of the West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy and holds a certificate as a Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher. Outside of her passion for teaching, Jenna is a devoted wife and Momma, an artistic dabbler, yoga practitioner and an aspiring herbalist.
Lead Teacher: Jenna Arbogast-Truver
Jenna has spent most of her life caring for children in varying capacities, beginning when she was just a child herself! She quickly learned that this was her life’s calling. Her teaching career officially began in 2011. She was first introduced to the Waldorf philosophy while attending a teaching workshop. It resonated so deeply that she continued her own research and discovered that this philosophy was in close alignment with her own values and lifestyle. In August of 2016, Jenna accepted a position as a classroom assistant at Bayou Village School. She was soon promoted to a lead position that same year. Jenna is a proud 2019 graduate of the West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy and holds a certificate as a Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher. Outside of her passion for teaching, Jenna is a devoted wife and Momma, an artistic dabbler, yoga practitioner and an aspiring herbalist.
Assistant Teacher: Karina Vasquez
Honeysuckles Class
Lead Teacher: Elizabeth Webb
Elizabeth has worked in Early Childhood since 2010 and began her journey with Bayou Village School in 2016. While she always worked in a more traditional setting, since joining Bayou Village, she has come to cherish the philosophy behind Waldorf Education. Her dedication to her student and their families is something she holds very dear to her! She has worked with many age groups while at Bayou Village and has found a home with mixed kindergarten.
Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her children and husband, crafting and needle felting, cooking and being outside. She has attended various trainings and workshops including a puppet making course through Sofia’s Hearth and is working toward her Waldorf Early Childhood Certification through Sunbridge Institute.
Lead Teacher: Elizabeth Webb
Elizabeth has worked in Early Childhood since 2010 and began her journey with Bayou Village School in 2016. While she always worked in a more traditional setting, since joining Bayou Village, she has come to cherish the philosophy behind Waldorf Education. Her dedication to her student and their families is something she holds very dear to her! She has worked with many age groups while at Bayou Village and has found a home with mixed kindergarten.
Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her children and husband, crafting and needle felting, cooking and being outside. She has attended various trainings and workshops including a puppet making course through Sofia’s Hearth and is working toward her Waldorf Early Childhood Certification through Sunbridge Institute.
Assistant Teacher: Berta Jasso
