The Educators
The teacher endeavours to create an environment that gives children time to play and encourages them to exercise their imagination, and learn to conjure up ideas from within themselves. Simple homely tasks and artistic activities to both 'do' and 'see' are balanced with story telling, singing, games and generous play times. A rich supply of natural materials provides scope for imagination in play, which refined toys often deny.

Steiner defined 'three golden rules' for teachers:
"To receive the child in gratitude from the world they come from; to educate the child with love; and to lead the child into the true freedom which belongs to man."

The reverence and respect felt by our teachers for the special qualities of each stage of childhood shapes the school environment, the way children are spoken to, the materials used, the activities undertaken and the approach to learning at each developmental stage.

Teachers are dedicated to creating a genuine love of learning within each child. By freely using art, craft, music and language in conjunction with the teaching of academics, learning will evolve into a living, creative process. The academic subjects are enriched and enlivened in a way that meets the developmental stages of the children, offering both sensory and intellectual nourishment.

"Our highest endeavour must be to develop individuals who are able out of their own initiative to impart purpose and direction to their lives".
Rudolf Steiner

Theory and Methodology
Children should not be rushed into adult consciousness, instead they should be allowed to savour their childhood. To assist young people to learn to know and love the world in childhood, to begin to develop good judgement in adolescence, to freely take responsibility for life's journey in adulthood; these are our tasks as teachers and parents.

During the first seven years children are physically forming and live very much in their imagination. This great capacity to enter into imaginative pictures and stories is a good place to begin the process of learning. Free, creative play is considered the best preparation for self-realising adult life.

At this age, children are discovering how to relate socially with a peer group and take part in fundamental life tasks. Through meeting and playing creatively together, children learn vital interpersonal skills. The teacher plays an important role in enabling relationships between children to strengthen through play.

Young children develop primarily in their doing, learning through imitation and physical activity. The role of the teacher is to provide a model for the children and a secure space in which to discover the world. They are not yet ready for more formal classes.

Child’s Play Equipment/ Playthings

WHY WOOD IS BEST FOR CHILDREN'S PLAYTHINGS

Wood is a regenerative resource. It stimulates the child’s senses with its texture and variations in colour. Wood smells good and has its own temperature. Bacteria cannot reproduce on wood. When wooden toys break they can be fixed. And finally, wood is recyclable therefore caring for our environment and protecting our World.