Welcome to
Country Day Little School
A Waldorf-Inspired Nature-Based Preschool in Palo Alto
Where
Play, Nature & Learning
grow together
For over forty years, Country Day Little School has been providing a mixed-age, play-based preschool for children two-year-old through Transitional Kindergarten. Located in Palo Alto, our nature preschool combines the best of indoor and outdoor learning, offering a whole-child, developmentally based approach to early childhood education.
At our preschool, we believe in nurturing the precious and vital early years of a child’s development. In our Waldorf-inspired program, we center the child’s natural process of maturation through independent play, hands-on creative exploration, and practical life skills, guiding each child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. Whether in our cozy indoor classrooms or in our enriching outdoor play gardens, we create a warm, and engaging environment where learning is integrated and accessible in every aspect of our day.
Our program is designed to help students develop flexible competencies to navigate a rapidly changing world. We cultivate creative thinking, social-emotional growth, and a lasting motivation for learning by immersing preschoolers in a rich, supportive environment. Through self-directed play and the development of foundational academic skills, children thrive within a close-knit learning community.
Our Students
Country Day Little School offers a mixed-age preschool program, starting at age two and extending through age six with our Transitional Kindergarten.
Our Community
At Country Day, community is at the heart of all we do. Together, parents, teachers, and children create a warm, supportive space where connection, growth, and joyful learning naturally unfold.
Our Philosophy
With love and devotion we strive to nourish
The unique capacities of every student,
That in each may awaken
The creative intelligence to envision the future,
The compassion to understand one another,
And the courage to be an active participant
In our common human experience.
– Rudolf Steiner
“The teachers at Country Day are loving, caring, and supportive. They are experienced professionals who understand and care about young children, and it shows in every interaction.”
– Isabella