North London Rudolf Steiner School

We are a Steiner Waldorf school, which provides experiential, play-based education as a basis for effective lifelong learning for young children from 0 to 6 years.

Our kindergarten provides a warm physical and emotional space in which children can become absorbed in free imaginative play and natural unhurried learning. The Kindergarten comprises mixed ages (3-6) to create a family-like structure. By choosing Steiner Waldorf Kindergarten education, parents can give their children an unpressured childhood experience. Our education and care is holistic, play based, and embeds the foundations of literacy, mathematics and science, and enables the children to fulfil their potential. It encourages enthusiastic, creative, questioning, imaginative children who can give purpose and direction to their lifelong learning.

Our practitioners lead a range of age-appropriate activities without formal instruction so that the children can learn at their own pace in an enabling environment that offers effective and broad foundations for later formal learning. The rhythms of each season in nature are very much a part of the life of our school. The school has an outdoor area for play and work where the children can climb, hide in bushes, sit in a quiet den, play in the sand or dig in the digging area. The outside area also includes a purpose built outside classroom which can be used for woodwork and such tasks. It houses an earth oven where children can bake bread.

Children enter our kindergarten between the ages of three and six. The last year in Kindergarten is differentiated from the provision for the younger children. Our educational approach changes to include more abstract concepts, more discussion and instruction, and targeted activities planned to incorporate meaningful use of text and numbers. Children develop stamina, confidence and a wider understanding of the world around them through regular outings. Projects sustained over time along with special ring times, stories and responsibilities give the older children opportunities to develop the skills they will need for their next step in education.

Our Parent & Child Groups are for children aged 0-3. We provide an unhurried space for parents/carers to meet each other and where children can socialise, enjoy free play with natural toys, seasonal songs, a puppet story and a communal snack. You are warmly invited to meet us. If you haven’t already visited the school we’d really recommend that you come and see what we do.

We regularly hold Open Afternoons for parents and carers who would like to know more about our school.