​Our Story​

 

The journey to creating Firefly Oasis began almost 20 years ago when I (Maria), along with several other families, formed a Waldorf-inspired homeschooling cooperative in Suffolk County. This was a beautiful way for our children to experience a bit of Waldorf Education in their early years, though we all wished there was an actual school close to us. After my own children’s early childhood years, they attended The Waldorf School of Garden City. As they began their Waldorf journey, I too began mine! I immediately fell in love with the Early Childhood program, working first as an assistant in the Parent Child classes, then in the Kindergarten, and eventually completing my Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Education training and becoming a Lead Mixed-Aged Kindergarten Teacher. Now, almost 2 decades later, I have found myself with the opportunity to bring to fruition what I had wished for all those years ago - holistic family and children's programs in my own town!

 

The name ‘Firefly Oasis’ came out of my own precious memories of growing up on Long Island. Though they might have signaled that it was time to go back inside after playing outside all day, seeing bright fireflies illuminate my backyard on warm summer evenings was nothing short of magical! I was filled with awe and loved being able to catch them in my hands, then carefully watch them until they spread their wings and flew away, shining in the dusk of night. I sometimes wondered how they lit up like that, but mostly I just accepted that this was their job - to spread light! To this day, I’d rather not know the scientific reasons behind their magic…  It is my hope that Firefly Oasis will offer a place for the light and wonder of childhood to be protected, shared, and honored for the magic that it is!

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