Offered Support
1.What kinds of support are offered?

We can offer support in finding individuals with experience, as well as  some  financial support for their travel to help your project in the following ways:
  • Introductory lectures and short courses
  • Long-term teacher training (seminars)
  • Mentoring
  • Collaboration among colleagues in a particular country

2.Applying for support

To help you determine for what kind of support you can apply for, we have developed the following criteria:

Introductory lectures and short courses:
If you want to apply for support for an introductory lecture or course the following criteria should be met:
  • There should be a  substantial group of people who carry a serious interest in the foundations of Steiner/Waldorf education (Anthroposophy) and have engaged in study for several years
  • A local carrying group who will take responsibility for the practical aspects of your project.
  • Contact or co-operation which has been established with other similar initiatives in your country or neighbouring countries.
  
Long term teacher training courses (seminars)

In order to develop the work for the young child in your country, it usually becomes necessary to establish an early childhood teacher-training seminar, which can offer introductory courses, professional training, and further training and deepening courses. This requires the following criteria to be met:
  • A series of introductory courses have been carried out prior to the training course.
  • Several early-childhood initiatives are already working according to Steiner/ Waldorf ideas.
  • Colleagues active in Steiner/ Waldorf-early childhood education in the country are supportive of the initiative.
  • A group of individuals working together locally on a regular basis are able to carry responsibility for a training seminar initiative.

Detailed planning for a long-term seminar training course needs to meet the following criteria:
  • The local group is able to carry responsibility for the coordination, administration, budget, arranging of practice based learning, (practicums might not be recognised in some countries) observations, and publicity.
  • The curriculum is accepted by the IASWECE.
  • A long-term plan for the development of the training course or seminar makes clear that the seminar is working towards the goal of becoming independent from financial and pedagogical support from abroad (this includes further training of local faculty, evaluation processes, and country collaboration activities.)

Mentoring:

If there is a need for mentoring teachers in Waldorf kindergartens, please answer    
the following questions:
  • Have the kindergarten teachers to be mentored already completed introductory courses or a Waldorf early childhood training program?
  • Has collaboration among the different Waldorf early childhood initiatives been established?
  • Have you explored mentoring by local experienced colleagues?
  • Is your request for mentoring carried by a wider group?
  • Will the mentoring benefit several early childhood initiatives in your country?
  • Is the request part of a larger plan to develop the impulse and quality of Waldorf early childhood education in your country, e.g. public lectures, workshops, faculty meetings, block courses at training programs etc..
  • Is there a local carrying group to take care of practical arrangements for mentors?

 

3.How to apply for support

If you have determined what kind of support your project is eligible for, you can download the appropriate application form.  Please fill out the form as completely as possible and send it (preferably by email) to the IASWECE office.  Once we have received your application a member of our Coordinating Group will contact you. The IASWECE Council of IASWECE will make the final decision regarding the application and the level of support we are able to offer.

 

Application forms:

Please download one of the following application forms: