Parent + Child.
Nurturing Childhood — and the Adults Who Care for Them
The early years are a beautiful, tender—and sometimes challenging—season of family life. Our Parent + Child programs are designed to nurture the grown-ups as much as the children.
Here, parents and caregivers find a welcoming community, meaningful connection, and the opportunity to slow down and experience the rhythms of Waldorf early childhood alongside their child. There is space to learn from an experienced teacher, share the journey with other families, ask questions, and discover simple ways to bring greater rhythm, confidence, and joy into life at home.
And while the adults are finding connection and support, the children are doing exactly what young children need to do: playing, exploring, moving, imitating, creating, and experiencing the world at their own pace.
For many families, Parent + Child becomes much more than a weekly class. It is a first community—for the child and for the parent.
We offer two once-a-week programs, each providing a gentle introduction to Waldorf education:
Waldorf in the Woods: For confidently walking toddlers through age 3 and their caregiver, held outdoors at a nearby Dunedin park.
Merrily We Meet: For children age 2 and their caregiver, held on the WSTB campus and in our early childhood classrooms.
Waldorf in the Woods
The Waldorf School of Tampa Bay has been an innovator in the forest school “children in nature” movement. For 100 years, Waldorf schools around the world have promoted the benefits of spending time in nature. Waldorf in the Woods provides a living experience of observation and free play in an outdoor setting.
Throughout the year, Waldorf in the Woods children and their caregivers marvel at the wonder and beauty of nature as they journey through woodland trails, and immerse themselves in the butterfly garden. Our outdoor classroom will be based at a local Dunedin park with our own shelter and plenty to explore!
Together we celebrate the seasons of the year through songs and rhymes, organic herb teas, puppet stories, simple festivals, and crafting using the gifts of nature. Families seeking experiences that nourish the senses and warm the soul can find refuge in this environment, which strives to incorporate the beautiful surroundings, quiet observation, and reverence for both the parent and child’s joyful wonder-filled journey.
Fall 2026 Session:
Mondays
9:30 am - 11:15 am
Begins September 21st
through December 14th
(No Class10/12 and11/23)
11 sessions
Hammock Park, Dunedin
$650
Merrily We Meet
Merrily We Meet is the name that captures the heart and soul of our on-campus Parent and Child program. Classes meet once a week, and toddlers who are ages 2 and their caregiver, enjoy a peaceful morning with friends enriched with movement, song, puppet storytelling, verses, snacktime and play.
Through bread making and the sharing of tea and a wholesome snack, children are enveloped in the warmth of community spirit. Time spent outside with Mother Nature allows us to experience her magic and beauty with wonder. Through quiet observation, age-appropriate songs and storytelling, teachers assist parents in creating a healthy and harmonious rhythm for their child’s day. Families are given the opportunity to experience artistic and practical activities such as water color painting, churning butter, and seasonal crafting. With joy and laughter, parents and children celebrate this time of togetherness, while expanding their social circle with like-minded souls. Articles on child development are shared to help support the magical journey of childhood.
Fall 2026
Session Details:
Details:
Begins September 11th
Fridays, 9am - 11am, on WSTB campus
Runs through December 11th. (No class 10/30 and 11/27)
12 sessions, $1,400.
Children must be 2 by August 15th, 2025.
Applications are required and due August 31st.
This program requires an application, as children who complete MWM track to the WSTB Preschool programs.
A non-refundable $75 application fee is due at the time of submission.
Applicants who have not participated in Waldorf in the Woods or do not have an enrolled sibling will have an in-person interview.
Acceptance into the Merrily We Meet Program is based on application dates, the child’s developmental needs, and parental support/interest in the Waldorf educational philosophy.
“Wisdom begins with wonder.”
— Socrates