Welcome to the Nursery!
At-A-Glance
- Teacher: Hannah Hafoka
- Class Size: 12 students, 1 teacher + 1 assistant
- Schedule: Full-day 8:30 - 3:00, Half-day 8:30 - 11:30
- Outdoor Time: Children have outside time as a group twice a day and also have the choice to be outside during their free time in the morning and afternoon.
- Snack/Lunch: Snacks are provided in the morning and afternoon daily, lunch is brought from home.
- Classroom Focus: The learning environment is child-led and play-based. Children have the freedom to choose what they want to explore, and much of the learning grows out of their interests, their play, and their interactions with each other.
Lead Teacher:
Hannah Hafoka
A place to Explore and Grow!
At the Antioch School, Nursery children gain exposure to the foundations of learning and have access to materials that allow them to explore subjects deeply as they show interest.
They begin developing the skills to talk with peers about what feels comfortable for them and for the community, and to work toward solutions together.
The classroom environment gives them the time and space to think and feel without being rushed, so they can begin developing emotional regulation early in life to support them through the challenges ahead.
Together, these early experiences help children build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging that carries with them as they continue their journey at Antioch and beyond.
An Interview with Hannah
Six years, including working with children diagnosed with autism as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) for three years. My educational coursework includes early childhood education and nutrition.
Children amaze me. The way they think, learn, and see the world is incredibly interesting to me. I also believe the early years are a very important time in a person’s life, and it feels meaningful to help guide children as they grow and begin to understand themselves and others.
I grew up in Alaska and have also studied abroad in Costa Rica. Those experiences helped shape my appreciation for nature, different cultures, and the importance of community.
It is magical. I see moments every day that amaze me—the things children notice, the way they learn from each other, and the way the Antioch School philosophy really works when you see it unfold.
A Day in the Life
A Gentle Start
Children typically arrive between 8:30–9:00 a.m., easing into the day at their own pace; there’s no “late” in the Nursery.
As they arrive, they move naturally into free choice, choosing whether to spend time inside or outside based on what draws their interest that morning. This gentle start helps each child settle in feeling comfortable and ready to engage.
Exploration, Play, and Community Building
Free choice is the heart of the Nursery experience. Children explore a variety of carefully prepared materials both indoors and outdoors including blocks, art, sensory play, clay, puzzles, dramatic play, and building projects. Through this play, they’re not only discovering new ideas, but also learning how to collaborate, communicate, and navigate relationships.
Around 10:00, we come together to clean up and prepare for snack time. Snack helpers learn responsibility through choosing and helping to prepare the snack, and the class gathers to eat together.
Afterward, we share a cozy time of Songs and Stories before heading outside as a group.
Outdoor Exploration
Time outside is woven throughout the day. In addition to having the option to be outdoors during free choice time, children come together for group outdoor play twice daily. This balance offers both independence and shared experience, giving children space to explore as well as time to connect as a community.
Developing Social Skills
Early childhood is an important time for social development. One important way these skills develop is through our conflict resolution process, which we call “meetings.”
When conflicts come up, and at this age they come up often, the children are taught how to talk directly to each other rather than having the teacher solve the problem for them. Instead, I act as a mediator, helping them express their feelings and work toward solutions together.
Ending Our Day Together
After outdoor time, we come inside for lunch, followed by another period of free choice where children can once again choose to be indoors or outside.
Later in the afternoon, we gather for a second snack, more Songs and Stories, and one final time outdoors together.
The day ends on the playground, where children are dismissed after a full day of play, connection, and discovery.
We’re Always Learning!
We’re Always Learning! In the Antioch School Nursery, children develop essential academic, social, and life skills through meaningful experiences.
Social & Emotional Skills
Children practice empathy, emotional regulation, and boundary-setting through collaborative play, group meetings, and shared problem-solving throughout the day.
Confidence, Resilience & Bravery
Through risk-taking in play, trying new physical challenges, and persisting with complex projects, children build confidence, patience, and resilience.
Problem-Solving & Decision-Making
Children learn to assess risk, make choices, and solve problems by planning activities independently and with peers, experimenting, and navigating real situations together.
Early Literacy & Math Skills
Reading, writing, and early math concepts are both explicitly taught and emerge naturally through every day activities, such as counting how many classmates to prepare snack for.
Physical Development & Body Awareness
Responsibility & Community Care
Self-Awareness & Reflection
Connection to Nature & Experiential Learning
Who Thrives in This Classroom
Children with many different personalities and interests thrive in the Antioch School Nursery.
At this age, there’s a wide range of what’s “typical.” Some children are eager to jump into play with others, while some are more comfortable focusing on their own activities. Both are welcomed and supported here.
Nursery is often a time of transition, as children begin moving from playing alongside peers to engaging more directly with them. Our classroom is designed to meet them wherever they are in that process, offering the time, space, and gentle guidance needed to build confidence in social situations.
Qualities like curiosity, independence, and an interest in hands-on play or being outdoors are all nurtured here—but they don’t need to be fully developed before a child arrives. These are the very skills and interests that grow through daily experience in the classroom.
The only requirements are that children are potty trained and able to communicate their needs. Beyond that, the Nursery is a place where each child can settle in, explore at their own pace, and begin to find their place within a caring community.
If this classroom feels like a place where your child could grow and belong, we’d love to continue the conversation. Our admissions process is designed to be collaborative, supportive, and centered on your child. You can schedule a visit directly at the link below, or visit our “Contact” page for more details.
