Sydney Bossuk is all smiles with her teacher, Pamela Carlson (l), after her first day of kindergarten at the Waldorf School of Garden City. The early childhood program at the Waldorf School of Garden City opened its doors on Monday, September 11. Waldorf's ten preschool teachers welcomed 76 nursery and kindergarten children - many for their first day at school.

Janet Kane, the early childhood program chair, said, "We are delighted to welcome our newest and youngest students to the Waldorf School. We look forward to working together with their families during these formative first years."

Amid Waldorf's enlivening and nurturing environment, children develop wonder, attention, imagination, and practical skills through imaginative and purposeful activities such as singing, cooking, gardening, movement, painting, handwork, and learning a foreign language. The early childhood program lays emotional and intellectual groundwork that leads to personal independence, love of learning and academic success.

Having once experienced this unique curriculum, a few of the school's alumnae have joined the early childhood faculty. Keelah Helwig, an alumna from the class of 1989, is the new kindergarten assistant. Christine Haley, an alumna from the class of 1997, and a Garden City resident, will lead the 12-3 pm preschool playgroup. In addition, Jeannine Davis, a teacher in the school's gardening program, will be the new nursery assistant.

The Waldorf School welcomes (l-r) Keelah Helwig, Christine Haley,and Jeannine Davis. Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents and accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) and the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), the Waldorf School of Garden City celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2007. Selective openings in the early childhood program are still available. For more information about the school, please call (516) 742-3434 ext. 129 or visit www.waldorfgarden.org. The school will also host a Walk through the Grades on Thursday, October 5, at 8:30 am and an Open House on Saturday, October 14, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.