Mixed Kindergarten

Enrollment and Fees

We offer 2/3/5 full or half day options. Full days are from 8:30am - 3:00pm and half days are from 8:30am - 12:00pm. Extended care is available at an extra rate as early as 7:15am and as late as 6:00pm.

2 Full days: $440/month
2 Half days: $360/month
Monday and Tuesday
or
Thursday and Friday

3 Full days: $625/month
3 Half days: $535/month
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday
or
Wednesday/Thursday/Friday

5 Full days: $975/month
5 Half days: $850/month

Children in our Mixed Kindergarten program are eligible for tuition assistance.

Sample Daily Rhythm:

8:30am - 9:00am: Welcome/Outdoor Play

9:00am - 9:30am: Morning Circle

9:30am - 10:30am: Creative Play/Artistic Activity or Snack Prep

10:30am - 11:00am: Snack

11:00am - 12:30pm: Outdoor Play

12:30pm - 1:00pm:
Story Time

1:00pm - 1:30pm: Lunch

1:30pm - 2:45pm:
Rest Time

2:45pm - 3:00pm: Dismissal and Outdoor Play

Mixed Kindergarten Program Requirements

Our Mixed Kindergarten classes are designed for children 3 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.

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:

Monday: Painting
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

Ms. Erica
MIXED KINDERGARTEN
Morning Glories Class
Erica has taught children of all ages in multiple settings including a traditional child care environment and as a personal nanny. She also worked as a cook in professional kitchens for 3 years before discovering Bayou Village School while searching for a childcare philosophy she believed in for her daughter. Erica studied the Waldorf Early Childhood model of care, attended an introduction to anthroposophy workshop, and has started her Waldorf certification program at Sunbridge Institute. Erica began her journey at Bayou Village School as a Mixed Kindergarten Assistant before moving into a lead teaching role. When not working or taking care of her children, Erica loves cooking, writing, and reading.

Ms. Jenna
MIXED KINDERGARTEN
Moonflowers Class
Jenna was born in Dallas, Texas after her parents left behind their deep roots in New Mexico. Her family moved all over the U.S. before finally settling in Houston. Jenna knew from an early age that she had a passion for working with children and in early adolescence became her neighborhood’s most sought after babysitter. During College, she worked as a summer camp counselor, a personal Nanny and as a Site Director at an after school program. In 2011 she officially began her teaching journey when she was offered a position at a traditional, play-based preschool. Additionally, she earned her CDA in 2014. While attending a teaching workshop, Jenna was introduced to the Waldorf philosophy for the first time and became inspired to learn more. Through her own personal research, this interest rapidly grew until she eventually discovered Bayou Village School. She intuitively felt that this was something she was meant to be a part of. Upon touring the campus and introducing herself to the Director, Jenna felt at home and so joyfully accepted a position as a classroom assistant in August of 2016. She was soon promoted to a Lead Teaching position shortly into that same school year. Jenna began her Waldorf Early Childhood training at the West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy in British Columbia along with the 2017 cohort. She graduated in 2019, thus becoming a fully certified Waldorf teacher. Jenna feels that teaching is a sacred calling and holds her work close to her heart. She feels honored to walk into the classroom and serve her children each day. Jenna and her husband will be welcoming their first child this Autumn.

Ms. Andi
MIXED KINDERGARTEN
Interim Lead for Moonflowers Class
Andi grew up in the Houston area and has been working with children since 2013. She began as a surf camp director/instructor in Galveston, and then moved on to become a nanny. After working for several wonderful families, she decided it was time to transition into an occupation that allowed for more growth. Finding Bayou Village School and being introduced to Waldorf Education felt serendipitous. Andi is thrilled to continue training as she furthers her knowledge in the Waldorf philosophy. When she is not caring for little ones, she enjoys caring for her plants and animals, surfing, beach lounging, thrift store treasure hunting, finding humor in daily life and laughing as much as possible.

Ms. Rachel
MIXED KINDERGARTEN
Water Lilies Class
Rachel Muehlmann grew up in Canada, Maine, and New Hampshire, and attended Waldorf schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. She holds a Bachelor's degree in History and an MFA in poetry. After the birth of her twin sons, she found herself increasingly drawn toward the Waldorf early childhood approach. Since moving to Houston in 2017, she has assisted in two Waldorf kindergartens and is thrilled to be transitioning to lead teacher in the Water Lilies classroom this year. During the summer of 2017 she attended a week-long course on Waldorf early childhood education at the Sunbridge Institute, and began the Waldorf Early Childhood teacher training program at the West Coast Institute in 2019.