Kinder Class

Our Kinder Class engages the head, heart, and hands to cultivate inner joy, reverence and wonder for the earth, and a deeper connection to our local community and the world.

Kinder Class Includes:

Pre-Kinder for children turning age 3 by March 1, 2026 (must be 3.5 by Sept 1 and fully toilet trained). Pre-Kinders join the Kinder Class for 2 or 3 mornings a week from 9 - 11:50 am.

Kinder1 for children turning age 5 after June 1st but by September 1st, children with late spring and summer birthdays (young 5’s or Transitional Kindergarten) M - W 9 am - 12:30 pm or 9 am - 3 pm.

Kinder2 age 5 by June 1st or turning age 6 over the school year, or may start the year as a young 6 year old with a summer birthday. M - W 9 am - 3 pm.

Kinder2 students may add Thursdays Multi-Age Enrichment Class for 6 - 12 year olds once they have turned age 6 and are developmentally ready to be with the older kids, and have completed one month of Kindergarten. Kinder2 students are given additional opportunities for building literacy and math skills through stories, songs, and games, and building fine motor development for writing through handwork and drawing.

Our nurturing staff includes a full time Kindergarten Teacher and a part time Preschool Teacher Our class size for Multi-Age Kindergarten is 8 - 12 students.

*We believe in multi-age learning! full day Kinder1 and Kinder2 students combine with first and second graders for specialty classes each week such as Handwork, Games, Spanish, and Singing.

Thursdays we offer our Growing Together Class from 9:30- 11:30 am for birth to age 6. This class is included in your child’s Pre-Kinder or Kinder enrollment for no added fee. Join your child on Thursday mornings from 9:30 - 11:30 am to experience the wonder and joy of Apple Blossom together!

*If before or after care beyond our hours is needed, parents are encouraged to help each other with arrangements. We are a Microschool (Private school/Homeschool hybrid). Students can arrive 10 min before class and full day students may add aftercare until 3:25 pm for an additional fee.

We provide a daily morning snack modeled after the German “second breakfast”, incorporating seasonal foods that we harvest, foods native to Minnesota, and cultural foods according to our curriculum. Our curriculum includes harvest, preservation, and cooking. We eat organic when possible and we are able to accommodate gluten free and dairy free diets.

Click here for Options

Seasonal Festivals are part of our Nature Curriculum and develop awe and wonder for young children through each season.

  • We encourage family involvement. Special care is taken to preserve the awe and wonder of childhood at our Seasonal Festivals. Parent volunteers are sometimes needed, but mostly we would love for you to come and enjoy these festivals and traditions with your child.

    Festivals Include: Harvest Festival, Enchanted Halloween Fundraiser, Lantern Walk, Winter Faire Fundraiser, March Puppet Play, Spring Celebration

*We have high behavior expectations in our developmentally appropriate Multi-age Kinder Class. We are experienced and nurturing early childhood teachers with a variety of educational backgrounds and experience. Apple Blossom teachers also have training in Waldorf philosophy and curriculum. We know children are still learning and we have developmentally appropriate expectations. Our staff have been through Peacemakers Resources SEL modeling and training and we provide many opportunities to learn skills throughout our play filled days. Due to our unique set up with yurts as classrooms and outdoor play yard, and no Special Education staff onsite, we can accommodate a variety of learning styles, but we are not equipped to accommodate high behavior needs. Children must be able to be safe with their bodies, appropriate with their language, and listen to teacher directions in order to attend.

*Simplicity Parenting Article Waldorf Early Childhood Education

Come Grow with us! 

Apple Blossom provides a beautiful home-like environment that is protective, predictable, and secure. Our goal is to develop the whole child; the physical, social, emotional and creative skills that support later success in life and school. This child-centered approach matches current research on how our youngest children grow and develop. We offer a haven from the hustle and bustle of the world and a no screens approach to learning.

Storytelling

Our mornings together include:

  • a nurturing home-like atmosphere in our cozy yurt

  • consistent teachers

  • small class size of 8 - 12 students

  • daily outdoor time and nature exploration

  • a language rich environment through oral storytelling and puppetry

  • music and singing

  • imaginative play

  • visual arts

  • natural wood toys and fibers

  • practical life activities (baking and making soup, woodworking, washing and gardening)

  • German traditions through Waldorf curriculum, Spanish Language, and Ojibwe language and culture through guests and seasonal learning

  • More info on our Curriculum Page