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Preschool Program RequirementsOur Preschool program is designed for children aged 2 - 4 years old by the beginning of the school year. Children remain in the same class for the entirety of the school year and do not "move up" during the year. Children on the lowest or highest end of the age range may be eligible for a younger or older class depending on development, class dynamics, and space availability.
Children in the Preschool classes work on potty training. For children who are still in diapers, we welcome parents to bring cloth diapers, if your family prefers. Enrollment InformationWe 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 - 12:00pm. Children in our Preschool program are not eligible for tuition assistance. Rhythm of the Day, Week, and SeasonEveryday there is a clear rhythm for children to follow. As the day progresses, activities alternate between open-ended, child-directed indoor and outdoor 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 Preschool aged children, the foundation of 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: Drawing 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.
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Meet The Teachers
Sunflower Garden Class
Lead Teacher: Noemi "Mimi" Estrada
Mimi joined Bayou Village School in August 2013. Although she holds an Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification, Mimi quickly found a delight in Waldorf-inspired Education. Since beginning her journey at BVS, she has attended several Workshops and Trainings, including a Child Development Course at Sophia’s Hearth. These workshops continue to re-inspire her and have caused her to have an even deeper love for Waldorf Education. Teaching children- especially at such an early age- is something that brings Mimi true happiness, and she takes the responsibility of being worthy of imitation quite seriously. When Mimi is not in the classroom, she enjoys moments spent with her husband, Edgar, and their four-legged fur baby, Leo. Some of Mimi's favorite things are cooking and eating, family time, bicycling, naps, hugs, and laughing!
Sunflowers Assistant Teacher: Amy Mehmandoost
Lead Teacher: Noemi "Mimi" Estrada
Mimi joined Bayou Village School in August 2013. Although she holds an Infant/Toddler Montessori Certification, Mimi quickly found a delight in Waldorf-inspired Education. Since beginning her journey at BVS, she has attended several Workshops and Trainings, including a Child Development Course at Sophia’s Hearth. These workshops continue to re-inspire her and have caused her to have an even deeper love for Waldorf Education. Teaching children- especially at such an early age- is something that brings Mimi true happiness, and she takes the responsibility of being worthy of imitation quite seriously. When Mimi is not in the classroom, she enjoys moments spent with her husband, Edgar, and their four-legged fur baby, Leo. Some of Mimi's favorite things are cooking and eating, family time, bicycling, naps, hugs, and laughing!
Sunflowers Assistant Teacher: Amy Mehmandoost
Peonies Class
Lead Teacher: Merari Linares
***bio coming soon***
Lead Teacher: Merari Linares
***bio coming soon***
Assistant Teacher: Alice Martinez
Tulips Class
Lead Teacher: Emily Townley
Emily has always known that she was meant to work with children and has always connected well with children . Emily has an Associates of Arts in Early Child Education & a Bachelors of Science in Behavioral Science. Emily has been drawn to Waldorf education ever since becoming a mother and finding that their family's values align more within the Waldorf Philosophy. She has spent her time working as a Youth Mental Health Specialist helping children of all ages get through difficult challenges. Emily is excited to start this new journey as a preschool lead with hopes to become certified and stay with the Bayou Village family for the years to come. Outside of work, Emily is a mother to two, a photographer, a creative, and enjoy spending time with the family outside.
Lead Teacher: Emily Townley
Emily has always known that she was meant to work with children and has always connected well with children . Emily has an Associates of Arts in Early Child Education & a Bachelors of Science in Behavioral Science. Emily has been drawn to Waldorf education ever since becoming a mother and finding that their family's values align more within the Waldorf Philosophy. She has spent her time working as a Youth Mental Health Specialist helping children of all ages get through difficult challenges. Emily is excited to start this new journey as a preschool lead with hopes to become certified and stay with the Bayou Village family for the years to come. Outside of work, Emily is a mother to two, a photographer, a creative, and enjoy spending time with the family outside.
Assistant Teacher: Haley Garcia
