Steiner Waldorf Kindergarten

[Barley]

Dear all, just wondered who would like a Steiner Waldorf kindergarten and day care centre in East Dulwich? For 2 -6 year olds. I am moving to ED and I am a qualified Waldorf kindergarten teacher and looking to see if there is a calling here. If you are not sure what a Steiner Waldorf Kindergarten is, please contact me and I will send you links to schools that I?ve worked in such as Michael Hall in Forest Row that are blossoming. Would you enrol for September?

[hazelnunhead]

Sorry cant do links from my iPad but if you do a search for "free schools in southvlondon" you will find a discussion going around this. Just thought I would point you in that direction to give you an idea of previous comments . I think it was in family discussion as well. Or just do a search under Steiner schools on the forum.

[Saffron]

Hi Barley- would you be thinking to offer day nursery provisions for eg 9-5 care for under 4 yo, or would it be as a stay & play arrangemen with parents?

[Barley]

Hi Hazelnunhead, I will go and definitely have a look at that thread, thank you. I was hoping to get the specific opinion of ED folk as I?m moving to the and there seems to be a need for childcare in the area.

[Barley]

Hi Saffron, it will be a kindergarten provision with afternoon childcare from 8.30-5.30pm. Parents would have an active role and involvement for festivals, birthdays and for kindergarten projects. Do you think ED is the place for a Steiner Waldorf Kindergarten?

[onefifty]

Yes please!

[Barley]

Great news Onefifty and Albertbridge!

May I ask you both where I may be able to find other like-minded people in ED? And where would you recommend advertising locally? This would be much appreciated. I will send you my website link when complete.

[niblet239]

Yes, definitely! PLease keep me informed

[Saffron]

Barley, you might want to check out some other local forums too. They're perhaps not as dynamic as the EDF, but they'll give you a feel for local interest including areas surrounding ED.

http://brockleycentral.blogspot.co.uk/2008/09/nurseries-in-brockley.html

[Curmudgeon]

No I absolutely do not think ED is the place for Steiner Waldorf.

I think you come here thinking aha Guardian, liberal, middle classes will totally buy into the Steiner 'progressive and liberal alternative' concept that is propogated.

But I think you'll find many of us are far more intelligent than that and look into the arguments for and against, reading the 'survivors of Steiner' website with horror, trying to understand anthropomorphism and the refusal to allow black crayons. The overtones of religion and cult and the connotations of racism should be considered carefully.

eta sample websites but many more on google search

http://www.waldorfcritics.org/

http://www.mothering.com/community/t/683104/life-after-waldorf-a-support-group

No I think you may find this may not be the right market for you.

[Barley]

Dear Curmudgeon,

Please contact me personally if you have any questions as I will be more than happy to answer them based on sound reliable research and first-hand experience as a qualified Waldorf Early Years teacher.

Most importantly, I can assure you, there is neither prejudice, nor any racism in Waldorf education as you have mentioned. Waldorf Kindergarten?s are open to all races and religions, and actively encourages the multicultural education of our children, as should be common place in all schools.

The internet is an unreliable source of information for many things and I feel it important to mention here, that personally I would never be involved in anything to do with racism, prejudices or anthropomorphism.

Our early year?s curriculum is based on child development, beauty, truth and goodness. We do follow the National EYFS ? Early Years foundation stage which all early year?s settings must adhere to.

We pride ourselves on developing a child?s emotional wellbeing, physical health, confidence, self-esteem, cognitive intelligence and social consciousness. Pre-school kindergarten education is an excellent basis therefore for formal learning.

At Michael Hall School where I worked, Waldorf graduates are comparatively more academically successful than other highly regarded mainstream schools as for example, Edinburgh and Canterbury schools achieved an A ? C grade, 83% and 86% respectfully in their compared to 89% at Michael Hall, the UK?s largest Waldorf Steiner school. So yes, children study for G.C.S.E?s and A? levels. At Michael Hall,

?Students have a reputation for being well-rounded, balanced individuals who are able to cope with the demands of a fast-changing and uncertain world. Graduates are highly sought-after in further education and in the work place for their confidence, resourcefulness, social responsibility and enthusiasm.?

Quote from: http://www.michaelhall.co.uk/ (2012)

Each child is cared for as a unique individual in kindergarten and I would love to welcome you to come and see for yourself. Ofsted keeps recognising our Kindergartens as being Outstanding.

[eco79]

Much as I don't know much about Steiner schools....you can't put a quote from the school website as evidence that your school is x, y and z. Who decided that students have a reputation for being well-rounded? Who are you quoting?

[parkview]

I don't know enough about Steiner either, but: isn't anthropomorphism what it is all built upon? How can you be a Waldorf school without being based in anthropomorphism? Then you shouldn't call it a Waldorf school, but Waldorf inspired. This leaves you with the task to explain exactlty what you follow and what you don't follow. But why then use the name at all?

In my opinion this is what it's like with all religions and cults: you can't really pick only the things you like and leave the others to the side. You can't be a catholic without listening to and following the pope. That's why I stay miles away from any church or cult.

[eco79]

Anthroposophism. Anthropomorphism is giving non-humans, human characteristics.

Anthroposophy is an investigation of the spiritual world, aiming to be like scientists as they explore the physical world...........

[El Pibe]

Hence why Morph was so called, because he wasn't really human.

Now, about Santa Claus....

[Curmudgeon]

I know enough 'survivors' of Waldorf education to have it send shivers down my spine

But thank you for the offer, I have no need to further investigate. I would just like those in need of nursery places to fully investigate and consider the offering before saying yes, I want that for my children

[Curmudgeon]

eco79 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Anthroposophism. Anthropomorphism is giving

> non-humans, human characteristics.

>

> Anthroposophy is an investigation of the spiritual

> world, aiming to be like scientists as they

> explore the physical world...........

LOL woops for typo ..

[Lousylu]

My husband is a very happy "survivor" of the Waldorf education system as is his sister. We looked at the Greenwich Steiner school for our son and I have never been in a more lovely learning & nurturing environment. Had we lived closer there would have been no contest. True they don't suit everyone - particularly every parent - but I'm not sure I'd view Steinerism as any more pernicious an educational philosophy than those embraced at a faith school. Other than, of course, it doesn't have the advantage of cultural hegemony.

[bee74]

I think it would be a good idea.

[Jamma]

Unfortunately East Dulwich may be exactly the place for Steiner