What is Kindergarten?
Kindergarten offers an holistic and nurturing, Early Years Education for ages 3 to 6, covering the ages of pre-school/nursery, Reception and Year 1.
In an increasingly fast-paced world, we believe that an unhurried approach to early childhood offers the healthiest and strongest foundation for children’s academic, social, and personal growth.
In line with Europe and 88% of nations worldwide regarding school starting age, our carefully designed, play-based programme builds foundational skills that allow children to flourish through school and beyond.
In the homely, caring environment of our Kindergarten, children are given the freedom to enjoy childhood. Your child learns through play, exploration and the world around them, discovering and developing without pressure, as their intellectual capacities naturally awaken. It’s a gentle introduction to school and the wider world.
Who’s it for?
Kindergarten is open for all children age 3 to 6. Children join our Kindergartens from a variety of settings for a unique Early Years Education they cannot find elsewhere.
For some it is their first step away from home and the family, others join us as a next step after nursery, childminders or other childcare.
Families choose us as a gentle introduction to school, and though most decide to stay on to our Lower School, we welcome children who plan to move on to their local or other school setting or home-schooling.
Kindergarten runs Monday to Friday 9.00-1.00, with optional Wraparound Care from 8.00 to 3.30, 4.30 or 6.00.
Flexible attendance with wraparound care. Prices from:
- 9.00am to 1.00pm £30.90 a day (includes organic food)
- 8.00am to 1.00pm £34.25 a day (includes organic food)
- 9.00am to 3.30pm £38.55 a day (includes organic food)
- 8.00am to 3.30pm £41.95 a day (includes organic food)
- 8.00am to 4.30pm £46.65 a day (includes organic food)
- 8.00am to 6.00pm £51.35 a day (includes organic food)
What our parents say…
Our Approach
The family atmosphere, mixed age group and small class size (just 16) of our Kindergartens give a deep sense of warmth and security where confidence and social skills thrive.
Children learn to play together, to work together and look after one another – developing empathy, cooperation, and self-reliance – vital building blocks for life success of all kinds.
Beautiful surroundings nourish your child’s developing senses – soft pastel fabrics, vivid water colours, the touch of beeswax, the smell of crushed lavender. In free play with simple, natural materials a wooden bench becomes a rocket, plaited wool ropes are mermaid’s hair.
This freedom to engage deeply in imaginative play is a wonderful gift – stimulating creative, inquiring minds that stay with our children for a lifetime.
Reassuring daily and weekly rhythms are the foundation for imitation and learning. Painting today, chopping vegetables for soup tomorrow, and, always, cleaning on Friday. By watching the adults busy at work children learn by seeing, doing and active participation.
Traditional songs, rhymes, and stories offer a rich exposure to language, cultivating children’s natural love of words and focusing memory and concentration; while counting games and rhythmic activities build a solid foundation for number skills.
The natural world and outdoor play are a key part of Kindergarten life. The children play outside whatever the weather.
Well wrapped up against the cold, we walk and explore the local park. Outside there’s space to run and skip, play in sand and mud and ride in a wheel-barrow.
Activities reflect the changing seasons and children celebrate a diversity of festivals throughout the year – developing a love and appreciation of nature, a sense of community and a rich inner life of feeling.
Playing, working, singing, dancing, making, exploring and story-telling – these are your child’s experience of Kindergarten. Underpinning it all, the Teacher is expertly supporting their developmental needs, gently observing and encouraging them as understanding and inquiry grow – helping your child acquire the social, physical and intellectual foundation for future learning and life.
Our People
Our Kindergarten team are experienced, qualified and expert Steiner Early Years Teachers and Assistants, with a warm heart and strong collaborative spirit.
With some of our team having worked together since 1999, they bring a joyful balance of fresh practices and new ideas, combined with wisdom, experience and a deep understanding of the needs and nature of young children.
Find out more about our dedicated Early Years team below.
Kindergarten Teachers
Kindergarten Assistants
Find out more
Kindergarten News
Watch…
‘Becoming’ an introduction to Steiner Early Years Education
A beautiful look at Steiner Early Years Education (from birth to age 6) around the world shot in South Africa, Israel, Japan, India, South Africa, Guatemala, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Germany [20:36 mins]