Waldorf UK at Nursery Worlds Big Day Out

21 May 2026

Waldorf UK was delighted to spend the day at Nursery World's Big Day Out held recently at the Business Design Centre, London connecting with colleagues across the early childhood sector and sharing more about Waldorf education. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to speak wtih the team and who came to our storytelling workshop.

Waldorf UK works with colleagues across the early childhood sector and is a member of the Early Years Coalition (EYC), composed of 16 early years sector organisations encompassing a range of considerable expertise and experience. Together they developed Birth to 5 Matters - a publication which provides guidance and a reference point for a wide range of practitioners in implementing the Statutory Framework Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)** in a pedagogically sound, principled and evidence-based way.

For Waldorf teachers there are 7 esesntial practices when caring for our youngest children:

  • Loving interest in and acceptance of each child.
  • Opportunities for self-initiated play with simple play materials as the essential activity for young children. This is the young child’s work and makes it possible for children to digest and understand their experiences.
  • Awareness that young children learn through imitation, through the experience of diverse sensory impressions, and through movement. Their natural inclination is to actively explore their physical and social environment. The surroundings offer limits, structure, and protection, as well as the possibility to take risks and meet challenges.
  • A focus on real rather than virtual experiences to support the child in forming a healthy relationship with the world.
  • Age-appropriate artistic activities such as storytelling, music, drawing and painting, rhythmic games, and modeling that foster the healthy development of imagination and creativity.
  • Meaningful practical work such as cooking, baking, gardening, handwork and domestic activity that provide opportunities to develop unfolding human capacities. The emphasis is on the processes of life rather than on learning outcomes.
  • Predictable rhythms through the day, week, and year that provide security and a sense of the interrelationships and wholeness of life. Seasonal and other festivals are celebrated according to the cultural and geographical surroundings.

We welcomed several colleagues from our schools who joined us on the day to answer questions and take part in our work-shop on storytelling. It was a fabulous day much enjoyed by all!