The Kindergarten Program
Why Thorne Shines Bright
Small Class Size
Our class size is capped at 16, and there is a teacher, assistant teacher, and learning specialist in the classroom.
High Student-Teacher Ratio
Our class of 16 is supported by two full-time teachers and a part-time learning specialist.
Impressive Teacher Bios
Our teachers focus on each learner's individual needs. Learn more about our impressive faculty here.
Full-Day Experience
We offer a full-day kindergarten experience, 8:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Play-Based Learning
Research shows that play enhances children’s problem-solving and social skills, leading to more curious, independent, joyful learners. Thorne offers an academic program with several recesses and free play.
Emphasis on Social Emotional Growth Foundation for Future Success
We focus on social play and interaction, and weekly social skills lessons.
Psychoeducational Consulting
The Thorne School offers a variety of psychoeducational support services not found in most other early childhood programs.
Emphasis on Relationships
Students learn to develop relationships with teachers and other children.
Thorne's Connection to the College Campus
Students Grow and Learn in a Vibrant Academic Community
Located on Haverford College’s campus, our kindergarteners enjoy enriching experiences like seasonal walks with arboretum staff, story time at the college library, art gallery visits, observatory tours, and science labs with college professors
Staff Bios
Marcia Leithauser
Marcia is a former Thorne parent who has worked at Thorne behind the scenes as a volunteer for many years. She was an integral part of the fundraising team to renovate the Preschool, and more recently had a leadership role on the Auction Committee and successfully solicited many sponsorships for past events. Marcia has a B.A. from Indiana University and a Master’s from George Washington University. She has a strong background in program management and administration through her work as Department Manager for a federally funded program at a Philadelphia nonprofit.
Contact: mleithause@brynmawr.edu | (610) 645-0204
Rachel Stern
Rachel Stern is a graduate of Bryn Mawr College (B.A.) and Temple University (M.Ed.) and has been teaching at Thorne School since 2013. Rachel is also the teacher/coordinator of the Summer Camp program.
Contact:
rstern@brynmawr.edu | 610-645-0204
Erin Kindred
Erin Kindred, a literacy specialist, is a graduate of Wake Forest University (B.S. in elementary education). She taught at Lake Highland Prep and The Shipley School. In addition to working with our toddlers, Erin teachers summer reading with Little Ones for Literacy. Having been part of the Thorne community as a parent, Erin joined the Thorne faculty in 2018.
Contact:
ekindred@brynmawr.edu | 610-526-7913
Deborah A. Moran
Deborah A. Moran is an assistant teacher in the Kindergarten Center. She has worked at Thorne since 2010. She has more than 16 years of childcare and development experience including roles as a pre-school teacher and playgroup facilitator.
Contact:
dmoran@brynmawr.edu | 610-645-0204
Jan Linowitz
Jan Linowitz (Ed.D., Harvard University) serves as the psychoeducational consultant to the toddler, preschool, and kindergarten programs. She observes in the classroom, consults with teachers, and attends staff meetings regularly. She is available to parents for private consultations about typical preschool issues such as separation anxiety. She also facilitates structured "playdates" in which children have the opportunity to play with a peer from their class. Teachers are then able to support the same kind of play in the classroom.
Contact:
jlinowitz@brynmawr.edu • 610-526-7913
About Thorne Kindergarten
The Thorne Kindergarten at Haverford is located in a restored farmhouse that dates back to the 1860s. The building is situated in the middle of the Haverford College campus, near the cricket field and the duck pond. The original structure houses two classrooms, while the two-story addition houses offices, bathrooms, and a kitchen on each floor. The downstairs classroom has a nook with walls of windows, while the upstairs classroom has a loft equipped for pretend play. The basement of the addition has a large and bright indoor play space for rainy days, and a self-contained playground with climbing structures is located next to the building.
For information about admissions to the Thorne Kindergarten Traditional Program, contact Marcia Leithauser by email (mleithause@brynmawr.edu) or at 610-645-0204.