The Enchanted Garden is a nature-based, Waldorf-inspired preschool for 2 1/2 – 5 year olds, that has been operating since 2002. We are located in the Maple Leaf area of North Seattle, close to Northgate, Pinehurst, Wedgewood and Lake City, on a quiet road next to a greenbelt area. We have a huge and beautiful yard and we play outdoors in all weathers, encouraging the children to actively participate in the seasonal changes they see all around them. Our focus is on imaginative play, immersion in the world of nature, and helping the children to develop a compassionate social life.
Every week I send out a short newsletter to parents with stories about the children’s social life, games and projects. Because the preschool is so small, I get to know the children very well indeed, and love to watch them gradually settle into the group, becoming more confident, and competent, as the year progresses.
About our outdoors
We spend over an hour outdoor every day, in all weathers. Our two-level backyard is surrounded by giant big-leaf maples, and is full of birds. The children help me keep our three bird feeders filled at all times, and enjoy watching the chickadees, juncos, northern flickers and nut-hatches foraging for food.
We have swings, a tire swing, a large slide, sandbox, a dome climber, teeter-totters, and a playhouse. There is lots of room to run around and explore what is happening in the garden. You never know what you will find underneath a log, or in a pile of leaves!
Watch this video for a (winter) view of our enchanting garden play area
‘Effervescence’ by Scott Buckley – released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
At the bottom of the garden we have a big patch of dirt for digging in, and an outdoor kitchen for concocting fantastic mud creations!
I am a Master Gardener of King County and I love to show the children all the beautiful flowers you can grow here in Seattle. I have a pollinator-friendly garden and in spring and summer it buzzes with life. In May and June we see swallow-tail butterflies, and in Fall spiders spin their webs through the garden and across the outside of our playroom windows.
About our indoors
Our large, sunny playroom is full of Waldorf-style wooden toys that encourage open-ended imaginative games, and play-based social learning.
From the windows we watch the leaves and maple seed ‘helicopters’ fall and the birds feeding from our feeders and splashing in our birdbath. Our art and craft projects reflect the cycle of the seasons and use mostly natural materials.
Our songs, stories and poems – many of them written by myself (see About me) – also reflect the seasonal changes in the world of nature that surrounds us at Enchanted Garden.
We build a nest!
Our weekly activities include baking bread (gluten-free and dairy-free diets catered for), painting, seasonal crafts, beginner’s woodwork and tool skills, and beginner’s sewing.
We also do lots of other cooking, baking and food preparation projects., and of course we make all our birthday cakes from scratch!
In this circle time video, we are singing a song I wrote myself to an old Quaker tune, followed by every bird song that the children can remember!
Please, come visit us to find out more. See contact information on how to schedule a tour.
Testimonials
“Knowing that my daughter looks forward to each day in your preschool and that she will be loved – truly loved – is invaluable.” (Krista)
“You have touched our lives in such a beautiful and loving way. I really feel that my child is seen and noticed in a very real way. ” (Gwen)
Contact
Stories on CD
‘The Tales of Mindy Mousekins: Adventures through the Seasons’, stories for 2-5 year olds, written and performed by Jacqueline Houston (teacher at Enchanted Garden), with musical interludes.