The Story of Mountaintop
Nestled at the foot of the Catskills, Mountaintop Children’s Garden has been a place of warmth, wonder, and growth since its founding in 2007. Inspired by a deep love for children and Waldorf education, Ms. Wendy established the school on a small farm on Yerry Hill Road in Woodstock after over a decade of teaching at Mountain Laurel Waldorf School in New Paltz. Her dream was to create a nurturing, nature-centered space where young children could learn and grow close to the land and in rhythm with the seasons.
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From the beginning, Mountaintop offered a welcome alternative for families seeking holistic, play-based, and outdoor-centered early childhood education. In 2012, the school found its forever home on a peaceful property in West Saugerties, surrounded by forest, flowers, and a pond that would become part of the children's daily adventures.
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What began as a single mixed-age kindergarten class soon blossomed. An outbuilding was lovingly transformed into a cozy schoolhouse, making room for our Little Ones program, welcoming children as young as 18 months. In 2023, we joyfully expanded once again, adding a second mixed-age classroom beside our pond to serve even more families in our growing community.
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In 2025, our beloved founder Ms. Wendy retired to be closer to her grandchildren, entrusting the school to the devoted hands of Ms. Andrea and the dedicated teachers and staff who have nurtured and loved this community for many years. Together, they continue to carry the heart and spirit of Mountaintop forward with care and intention.
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Over the years, Mountaintop has become a treasured part of the Saugerties community. Our annual Music and Merriment festival, wintertime skating parties on the pond, and thoughtful parent evenings offer meaningful ways for families to connect, celebrate, and learn together.
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Mountaintop has been certified by WECAN as a Waldorf School and full member of their organization since 2016. Being a certified Waldorf school means that the faculty is recognized as they continually work to expand their skills and to learn more about the needs of young children and how those needs can best be met. They also continually find creative offerings to bring to the classroom and the community.​
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At Mountaintop, we believe that early childhood is a sacred time, and we are honored to walk alongside families during these formative years. Whether your child is toddling through our garden paths or climbing trees with friends, they are held in a community that cherishes wonder, fosters imagination, and nurtures lifelong love for the world around them.
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Our Waldorf philosophy is a gentle, nurturing approach that honors the magic of childhood. Learning unfolds naturally through play, storytelling, art, and time in nature, all in a warm, home-like environment. With a strong focus on rhythm, imagination, and caring relationships, it supports the whole child—heart, hands, and head—laying a joyful and balanced foundation for lifelong learning.
Mountaintop Children's Garden faculty are dedicated, nurturing educators who bring warmth, creativity, and deep understanding of child development to the classroom. With years of experience in ECE and forest schools, they have a strong commitment to the Waldorf philosophy. They guide children with care, intention, and joy—creating a safe, loving environment where young learners can thrive.
We nurture a learning environment rooted in diversity, equity, and inclusion, where every child and family—across culture, race, language, identity, and ability—is seen and celebrated. At Mountaintop, teachers share stories from global traditions and honor each child’s unique heritage and experiences, fostering empathy, belonging, and respect. We also support growth within our community through resources and classes that encourage shared learning.