First Day School

Central Philadelphia provides enjoyable, age-appropriate learning and activities for children, after which all children join the adults in the Worship Room for the last 15 minutes of Meeting.

We aim to support young Quakers in living a spiritual life, while their parents attend worship to enrich their own lives. The experience differs by age group. Parents are welcome to attend with their child but are not expected to.

Click here to download a PDF of our FDS Calendar.

Babies and toddlers

A paid caregiver is joined by one or more adult members of the Meeting for worship the way young ones do best — playing.

School-aged children

First Day School are led by adult teachers, both parents and non-parents. Classes group children by age ranges. Each year a theme is selected for the curriculum. Classes might include a Bible story or Quaker history, a song, and art or an activity to bring the lesson together.

Intergenerational Worship Programs

The third Sunday of most months brings a program which combines activity and worshipful togetherness for all ages from kindergarden to the oldest adults. These programs start earlier, at 10:00, and continue to allow an alternative worship experience from normal Meeting for Worship.

The Meeting has a Policy on Safety from Abuse for our Children which applies in particular to the First Day School program.

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