Parent & Child ProgramsJoin us one morning a week in a beautiful setting that encourages free, creative play with toys made of natural materials. Enjoy a nutritious, homemade snack, learn to craft simple toys for your child, and discuss a healthy start for your family. Our groups offer a wonderful opportunity for you to meet other parents and caregivers, and for our children to learn to be together in a group in a warm environment.
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Mulberry is the highlight of our week. Being a stay at home parent can be isolating, particularly with a toddler, but our mornings spent with Mary at Mulberry always fill our buckets. In an age of phones and virtual communication, it is such a privilege to do work with my hands while my child plays independently. She loves the routines of our school morning and she talks about them throughout the week. The songs have made their way into our daily lives! We've built friendships with other parents and we've both learned from the wisdom of our "classmates". Mary is an exceptional educator who makes everyone feel welcome, leads the conversation in an objective manner, and challenges us all to think critically about child rearing in the 21st century. Each week feels like a really awesome dinner party! Autumn 2024 Parent & Child Offerings:Ages One through Three | Class options on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday mornings from 9:30 to 11:40.
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Parent & Child (ages one through three)
The morning begins with time for free play for the children and an optional toy making experience for parents. At 10:30, there is a song-led transition to tidy up and guide the group into snack time. This time around our table is also a great opportunity for parents to connect. Around 11:00, we clear the table, wash hands and gather for circle time. The circle includes rhymes and songs both standing (walking, hopping, twirling, etc.) and sitting (finger games, clapping, etc.). The songs are seasonal with home and garden themes, as is our simple story which follows. These stories are often based on a timeless folktale and are told over a period of a few weeks. At the end of the morning, parents and children have an opportunity to play in a natural outdoor space. |
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My daughter and I started attending Mulberry’s baby group when she was about six months old. It has become a highlight of our week. Watching her develop and grow against the backdrop of Mary’s kind reassurance and our new friends’ encouragement has been such a gift to this new mother. Of all the baby groups/activities we’ve done, Mulberry’s has been the best; I feel genuinely cared for. We’ve also built friendships that extend outside of the weekly group. I’ll look back at my maternity leave, and my early days of motherhood, with warmth for Mulberry, Mary and this group. |
My daughter and I joined the toddler group about 6 months ago, and we can't get enough! I've seen her come out of her shell and make connections with other kids in the class. I've also made many connections with other moms and dads, and genuine friendships are forming outside of the class. Mary is a fantastic facilitator and makes everyone feel warm and welcome. I highly recommend joining the group, especially if you're a stay-at-home parent who needs a little socializing with other adult humans. |
Schedule and Fees
2024/2025 SCHEDULE
Parent & Child (ages one through three)
Cost: $210 per 12 week session, once a week (prorated based on number of weeks per session, see below)
From 9:30 am to 11:40 am
Autumn Session 2024
Winter Session 2025
Spring Session 2025
Cost: $210 per 12 week session, once a week (prorated based on number of weeks per session, see below)
From 9:30 am to 11:40 am
Autumn Session 2024
- Mondays from September 9th to December 16th (no class October 14th): 14 week session $245
- Tuesdays from September 10th to December 17th: 15 week session $262.50
- Wednesdays from September 11th to December 18th: 15 week session $262.50
- Thursdays from September 12th to December 19th: 15 week session $262.50
- Fridays from September 13th to December 20th (no classes October 11th and November 22nd): 13 week session $227.50
Winter Session 2025
- Mondays from January 6th to March 3rd (no class February 17th): 8 week session $140
- Tuesdays from January 7th to March 4th: 9 week session $157.50
- Wednesdays from January 8th to March 5th: 9 week session $157.50
- Thursdays from January 9th to March 6th: 9 week session $157.50
- Fridays from January 10th to March 7th (no class January 31st): 8 week session $140
Spring Session 2025
- Mondays from March 24th to June 16th (no classes April 21st and May 19th) :11 week session $192.50
- Tuesdays from March 25th to June 10th: 12 week session $210
- Wednesdays from March 26th to June 11th: 12 week session $210
- Thursdays from March 27th to June 12th: 12 week session $210
- Fridays from March 28th to June 13th (no classes April 18th and May 30th): 10 week session $175
Registration process:
Send completed registration form to our Administrative Head at [email protected].
- Placements in groups will be made by the end of August based on the order in which registration forms are received. Please note that groups fill quickly and we will hold a waitlist if your preferred group is full.
- You will receive an email about what group you are in and details about how to submit your payment.
- Send payment on receipt of this email to confirm your placement in a group.
“For six years (and 3 children), the Parent and Child class at Mulberry School has been the highlight of my week. In addition to much loved songs, stories, and free play for toddlers, the programming provides just the right mixture of warmth, wisdom, and wit to support and inspire parents of young children.”
Parent & Child / Infant Facilitators
Mary HuggardDirector and Facilitator of Parent & Child and Parent & Infant Programs
Mary has been part of our Mulberry community in one way or another since 1996. She visited the school that first year in Glenburnie with her infant daughter after a friend invited her to find the ‘Waldorf Initiative’ in the area. Although she had never heard of ‘Waldorf’ or Mulberry, just walking in the door that first time made her realize right away that she wanted to be part of this beautiful place. In 1997 Mary and her daughter, now a toddler, joined a Parent and Child group and the journey began!
Trained as both a teacher and a childbirth educator, Mary began facilitating a prenatal program for Mulberry families in 2000, and when those babies arrived, she began our first Parent and Infant Group in 2001. She has been facilitating Parent and Child groups every year since 2001. When not focused on Mulberry, Mary enjoys hiking, paddling, swimming, snowshoeing and/or skiing in the woods and lakes of the country north of Kingston where her family shares land and ‘off-grid’ living with friends. |
Holly Blommers
Facilitator of Parent & Infant Program
Holly began teaching at Mulberry as a primary Grades School teacher in 2017 and was immediately drawn to the core values of Waldorf Pedagogy. She attended summer intensive trainings at the Rudolf Steiner Center, completed her Foundations of Anthroposophy Part One and Two courses and took part in several Waldorf based conferences and workshops. Holly received a B.A from Trent University as an English major and her B.Ed from Queen’s University with a focus on Environmental Education.
Holly took Maternity leave in 2022 and has now returned to Mulberry in a part time role as Parent and Infant group facilitator. Her vested interest in a parent’s experience during the first year and beyond of parenthood has inspired her to work with parents and babies and help foster connection and support with others in our community. When not working at Mulberry, Holly spends time with her toddler on their farm tending to their chickens, working in the garden, crafting and going on outdoor adventures with family and friends. |
