MULBERRY WALDORF SCHOOL
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Morning Garden Preschool
Children must be at least 2 years and 8 months old by September 1st to begin the Morning Garden Preschool program. 
​Exceptional ratios of two teachers with up to thirteen children.
The Morning Garden Preschool program is a gentle start to an independent first school experience for young children who are at least 2 years and 8 months old by September 1st. We welcome children who are on the path to being toilet-ready. Children must be show readiness for an independent school experience. Our well qualified and dedicated teachers create a warm and inviting atmosphere where children feel secure and valued, supporting their emotional and social development. We have exceptional ratios of two teachers with up to thirteen children. Our Preschool program is licensed under the Child Care and Early Years Act. Our program includes ample time for outdoor and indoor play, home-made meals, oral English and French storytelling, artistic experiences (e.g., paining, drawing, modelling) and English and French song and movement circles.  ​
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Screen-free Classroom


Our Morning Garden classroom is a warm, nurturing space, which lends itself to child-initiated creative play. Unstructured play, with gentle guidance from teachers, allows children to express themselves freely, explore their imaginative capabilities, and develop social skills. 

The curriculum offers numerous opportunities for movement, incorporating both fine and gross motor activities. These experiences are designed to strengthen a child's physical development and enhance their sensory processing abilities. 


​Outdoor Play

Our Morning Garden Preschool program has a dedicated, licensed, naturalized play yard, with a mulched play area, mature trees, a large sandbox, vegetable and flower gardens, and a cordwood playhouse. Children enjoy ample time outdoors each day and through the seasons, actively exploring their natural surroundings (e.g., turning over stones to look for insects), taking part in seasonal tasks (e.g., raking and gardening), and engaging in play (e.g., building with wood pieces, splashing in puddles, pulling each other on sleds, and digging the sandbox. Outside play builds gross motor skills (e.g., running, jumping, skipping, hopping, rolling) and supports a developing sense of balance. It provides opportunities to participate developmentally appropriate "risky play" to strengthen confidence and resiliency. 


​Healthy Meals

Morning Garden Preschool snacks and lunches are intentionally planned and prepared by dedicated staff, adhering to guidelines from the KFL&A Public Health Unit and Ministry of Education. We prioritize whole, locally sourced, and organic foods whenever possible. A vegetarian menu is offered, avoiding excess sugars, artificial flavors, colors, and additives. Our Nutritional Coordinator, certified in Food Safe practices, ensures meals are both nutritious and aesthetically pleasing. Morning Garden teachers foster a sense of gratitude and a sense of community to encourage healthy eating. We celebrate diverse cultures through our food offerings.
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In the morning core program, children enjoy a healthy and substantial snack of crackers with a protein spread, a fruit, a vegetable, and cheese or date balls. Children who stay for the whole day are served a healthy lunch with a base of brown rice, vegetable soup, quinoa, or pasta, with added organic beans or legumes plus fresh fruits and vegetables.  A healthy afternoon snack is offered following rest time and before heading back outside for outdoor play.

Additional Information

​The Morning Garden program takes place in a classroom and play yard licensed under the Child Care and Early Years Act. Once children are settled into the school year, teachers will bring the children on short walks around the school perimeter.  
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We are closed for Professional Activity days, Professional Development days, two weeks over the winter holidays, two weeks over March Break, and all statutory holidays. We do not offer camp programs for Morning Garden during PD days and holidays. Our program does not operate over the summer.

Canada-Wide Early Learning & Child Care (CWELCC)
​After a great deal of research and discussion, Mulberry Waldorf School has decided not to move forward with taking part in the CWELCC at this time. We did not take this decision lightly, and will continue to review new developments in this area.


We have exceptional ratios of two teachers with up to thirteen children.​
*Weekly Care Options: 
  • Three mornings or full days (Monday-Wednesday) 
  • Two mornings or full days (Thursday and Friday) 
  • Five mornings or full days  (Monday-Friday)
The Morning Garden program begins at 8:45 am and ends at noon, Monday-Friday. For children who stay in the afternoon, the program ends at 3:30 pm.

**New for 25/26 School Year:

We will be welcoming children on the path to toilet readiness, and offering customizable programming. 
We will be offering Before Care (8:00 to 8:45 am) for our Preschool program. Contact us to find out more about our extended day from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm.
 
Please connect with us for a personalized tour.
​Email: [email protected]
Phone: (613) 542-0669.




Morning Garden Preschool
​Parent Handbook

Download Handbook Here

Morning Garden Faculty 

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Elissa Smith   (she/her)
Morning Garden Lead Teacher

Elissa has a Bachelor of Science from UBC and completed her Waldorf Early Childhood Training in 2014. She has been working with children birth to six years old and their families for 12 years. She has taught at Mulberry since 2019 as a Kindergarten Assistant and enjoys reading, knitting, being in nature and spending time with her family. Her daughter is a current Mulberry grade school student. 
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Janie Jang
Morning Garden Assistant Teacher

Janie has a B.A. from Concordia University, a Culinary Certificate from Niagara on the Lake, and a diploma in Early Childhood Education from St. Lawrence College. She completed Foundations in Anthroposophy Part I through the Rudolf Steiner Centre. Janie joined the Mulberry Waldorf School faculty in 2014 and is an alumni parent.
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Julia Miranda
Morning Garden Assistant Teacher

Julia has a B.A.H. in History and Spanish from Queen's University, a B.Ed. in Primary/Junior Education also from Queen's University, and a certificate in Foundations of Early Childhood Music Pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is a returning member of the Mulberry faculty, having worked previously in Kindergarten, Morning Garden, KinderCare, AfterCare, and Grade 1 & 2.
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Book a Tour
How to Apply
Contact Admissions
P: 613.542.0669
​25 Markland Street
Kingston, ON
​K7K 1S2
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  • About
    • About Mulberry
    • Why Waldorf?
    • DEIABJ
    • Testimonials
    • Faculty & Staff
    • FAQs
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Links & Articles
  • Our Programs
    • About Our Early Childhood Programs
    • Family Programs >
      • Pregnancy Circle
      • Parent & Infant
      • Parent & Child
    • Morning Garden Preschool
    • Kindergarten
    • Grades 1 - 8
    • Early Childhood Enrichment Program
    • Summer Camp 2025
  • Admissions
    • Enrolment Information Package
    • Military and International Families
    • New Enrolment 2025-2026
    • Re-Enrolment 2025-2026
    • Tuition Fees
    • Tuition Adjustment
  • Community
    • Lantern Walk
    • Winter Fair
    • May Fair
    • Mulberry Alumni
    • Parent Participation and Community Building
  • Contact Us
  • Calendar
  • Donate