Preschool, Playgroups, Playdays
Watershed Community School is currently planning multiple programs for families, young children, and their teachers in Northeast Ohio.
Half-Day Preschool and Play at the Akron Schoolhouse
We are currently in the process of readying the schoolhouse at 121 Rhodes Avenue in Akron, Ohio for the 2024-25 school year — stay tuned! We are so excited to be joining the vibrant Highland Square community. We intend to offer a half-day educational program for children 3-to-5 years old. Read more about our philosophy and curricular approach to determine if this program could be a good fit for your family. The schoolhouse will offer regularly scheduled playgroups for children who are not yet age-eligible for the preschool program (i.e., 35-months and younger), as well as seasonal, drop-in playdays for various age groupings. Like our preschool program, playgroups are led by advanced degreed early childhood practitioners in a gentle environment and offer the benefits of socialization, connection, and joy for both children and family members.
We are small on purpose; low student-teacher ratios and limited group size allow us to respond to children’s educational strengths and needs in meaningful ways, and allows us to utilize sustainable, community-driven practices in our daily operations. But this also means that enrollment will be limited. Contact us to join our waitlist and you will be the first to receive updates once the schoolhouse location is underway.
Natureplay in the
Historic South End
We are currently rehabilitating a one-third acre neighborhood lot located at 349 W. Elm Street in Kent, Ohio. We are thrilled to be in the Historic South End, a diverse neighborhood of meaningful spaces, helpful neighbors, and a long history of community engagement. The community post office, a recreation center, an excellent K-5 public school, innovative restaurants and businesses, and a thriving community garden are all within walking distance in the “mother neighborhood” of Kent. Once the initial planting and hardscaping is complete, we intend to utilize this space for regularly scheduled playgroups and seasonal playdays, teacher professional development seminars on outdoor play and curriculum building, and Historic South End community events. Although we have been working with schools and teachers for years to improve their outdoor experiences for young children, acquiring the Elm Street property has given us the opportunity to create our own outdoor demonstration classroom. Our play space is designed to blend-in to the neighborhood and maintain a discreet profile using native plants and trees and natural landscaping. Contact us to join our mailing list and stay up-to-date on the progress of the natureplay space!
