Parent & Child and Parent & Child programs

Parent & Child Programs 2026/2027

Registration for new families opens on Monday, August 10, 2026

Parent & Child Programs

Join 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.

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!

-Isabelle

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.

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.
Warmly,

Melissa

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.

Thanks!
Maya

Schedule and Fees
2026/202 SCHEDULE (Coming Soon)

Parent & Child (ages one through three)
All groups meet from 9:30 am to 11:40 am
Location: Mulberry Waldorf School, 25 Markland St, Kingston, Ontario
Sessions: Fall, Winter & Spring

Registration Information

Registration for new families opens on Monday, August 10, 2026.

The Registration Form will be available on Monday, August 10, 2026. Once completed, please email it to our Administrative Head at [email protected].

Placements in groups will be made 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 confirming your group placement, along with details about how to submit your payment.

Your placement will be confirmed once payment has been received.

❝

For six years (and three children), the Parent & 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 program provides just the right mixture of warmth, wisdom, and wit to support and inspire parents of young children."

Parent & Child Facilitator

Mary Huggard

Director 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.

Fall Session 2026
Day	Dates	Weeks	Notes	Tuition
Registration opens August 10
Monday	September 14 – December 14	12	No classes October 12 & October 26	$
Tuesday	September 8 – December 15	15	--	$
Wednesday	September 9 – December 16	15	--	$
Thursday	September 10 – December 17	15	--	$
Friday	September 11 – December 18	14	No class October 9	$

Winter Session 2027
Day	Dates	Weeks	Notes	Tuition
Registration opens in ...
Monday	January 4 – March 1	8	No classes in February	$
Tuesday	January 5 – March 2	9	--	$
Wednesday	January 6 – March 3	9	--	$
Thursday	January 7 – March 4	9	--	$
Friday	January 8 – March 5	8	No class January 29	$