"Receive the child in reverence, educate the child in love, release the child in freedom.."

                                                                                                         Rudolf Steiner

Waldorf early childhood education, also known as Steiner early years education, is devoted to the health, education and care of the young child from birth to school entrance.

Waldorf early childhood educators seek to nurture the development of each child's unique capacities by offering warm, homelike environments with opportunities for imaginative play, meaningful purposeful work, and experiences in the arts, in nature and in community.

There are nearly 2000 Waldorf kindergartens, home programs, child care centers, and pre-schools in more than sixty countries throughout the world.

We hope, that our website will provide helpful information and answers to your questions about Waldorf early chidhood education around the world and about our association. Thank you for visiting our site!

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UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND COLLOQUIA

The Whitsun Conference is sponsored by the Association of Waldorf Kindergartens in Germany. IASWECE Council members from Belgium, Israel, Ireland, USA, Germany, Denmark, Brazil, France, Romania and Switzerland will offer workshops.  For conference program information and online registration, click on the image.

An international Birth to Three Conference will take place at the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland from June 20 - 23, 2013. The theme of the conference is "Healthy Development and Prevention in Pregnancy and Early Childhood". The conference is sponsored by the Medical Section at the Goetheanum and is intended for professionals working with very young children. The full conference program and the online regsitration is available by clicking on the image.  

NEW VIDEOS FROM THE WALDORF KINDERGARTEN

In Waldorf education the child with his or her needs are our central concern. This means offering time and space for development and above all, love for the child, direct and authentic experiences of nature, social community, and individual play.  The Association of Waldorf Kindergartens in Germany has now produced a series of videos that offer a lovely glimpse into the life of the Waldorf kindergarten. Click on the images in order to view the videos, which are in German.

A Glimpse into the Life of the Waldorf Kindergarten

Rhythm is Life

With All the Senses

Educators are Examples