Why choose a home-based program for your child?
"Homes are personal, often familial spaces. They are hugely shaped by the lives and personalities of the people who inhabit them. The felt sense of being in a home is very different to that of a community building, a childcare centre, or a primary school. To me it is not really so much a question of which is “better,” and instead more of an honest acknowledgment that home-based programs are really quite distinct."
Symon James-Wilson, owner of @islandforestkinder
Symon James-Wilson, owner of @islandforestkinder
I had this idea in my heart for many many years. To build a safe and warm space where kids of families in need of extra hours after school could unwind from their school day, still feeling some continuity from their Waldorf school setting, and fill their souls with free play, outdoor time, beautiful toys, a warm familiar space, arts, crafts and lots of warmth. A space that really felt like home away from home. With all its sense of belonging, rhythms, sounds. That's how Casa Muaná was born.
After-Scool Care Program 2024/2025
The afternoon program runs 5 days/week from Mondays to Fridays.
It welcomes any school aged children from kindergarten to Grade 5.
Program runs for 3h, from School pick up to 6pm.
Up to to 5 spaces per day.
Our days are filled mostly with outdoor time and free play.
After running the first year with a more activity heavy rhythm, it was really clear to me that after a full school-day the children were in need of more child-led play and connection, unwinding from the adult-led structured day with a less structured, child-led and imagination filled time. I always do my best to foster the children's needs by being attentive to their reactions, overall emotions and their desire for connection and safe freedom with their friends. I aim to foster their sense of belonging to our little Casa Muaná family. My goal is always for them to feel loved, safe and free to be their own beautiful selves.
Craft time still happens, but they are more organic in our rhythms and follow the children's cues.
For our craft time, possible choices are watercolour, needle felting, baking, drawing, sewing, embroidery, seasonal crafting.
I try to follow the lead of the kids, and what they are more interested in.
A Typical afternoon rhythm includes:
-Outdoor play
-Snack time
-free play
It may also include:
-circle time
-story time
-handworks/arts/crafts
It welcomes any school aged children from kindergarten to Grade 5.
Program runs for 3h, from School pick up to 6pm.
Up to to 5 spaces per day.
Our days are filled mostly with outdoor time and free play.
After running the first year with a more activity heavy rhythm, it was really clear to me that after a full school-day the children were in need of more child-led play and connection, unwinding from the adult-led structured day with a less structured, child-led and imagination filled time. I always do my best to foster the children's needs by being attentive to their reactions, overall emotions and their desire for connection and safe freedom with their friends. I aim to foster their sense of belonging to our little Casa Muaná family. My goal is always for them to feel loved, safe and free to be their own beautiful selves.
Craft time still happens, but they are more organic in our rhythms and follow the children's cues.
For our craft time, possible choices are watercolour, needle felting, baking, drawing, sewing, embroidery, seasonal crafting.
I try to follow the lead of the kids, and what they are more interested in.
A Typical afternoon rhythm includes:
-Outdoor play
-Snack time
-free play
It may also include:
-circle time
-story time
-handworks/arts/crafts
