Above: Participants in the March 2023 session of Professional Development for Waldorf Early Childhood Teachers Part-Time, wearing aprons they made.
Professional Development for Waldorf Early Childhood Teachers Part-time,
Birth-to-Seven
Our two-year, part-time certificate program in early childhood teacher education covers the essentials of Waldorf Early Childhood from birth to seven years. It prepares currently practising teachers and assistants for the challenges of working in a Waldorf kindergarten, nursery, playgroup, parent and child, or home-care setting. Each year is made up of a three-week intensive session in the summer, together with a one-week session each fall and spring.
Dates:
Summer 2024
Week 1: Sunday 16-21 June, 2024
Week 2: Monday 24-28 June, 2024
Week 3: Monday 1-5 July, 2024
Note that we are in session on both 1 and 4 July.
Fall and Spring Dates to be announced
Course of Study
• Anthroposophical understanding of the development of the human being from birth to adulthood, based on the research of Rudolf Steiner and other contemporary sources
• Essentials of Waldorf Early Childhood Education as outlined by the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN) from birth to seven years
• Emphasis on the developmental needs of the child from pre-birth to three, the nursery child, and the kindergarten-age child, including remedial needs
• Development of the inner life of the teacher through biography work, artistic activities, singing, movement, and meditative practice
• Creating a nurturing environment for the child’s life forces to offset the impact of the
modern milieu in such areas as nutrition, life style, and media exposure
• Domestic, artistic, and practical activities in the classroom
• Festivals and the cycle of the year
• Building a strong community life, working with parents and colleagues
• Classroom management and creative discipline
• Guided independent study: child observation, assigned reading, and individual research
Mentoring and Evaluation
Each student will have an experienced teacher as a mentor. The mentor will be available for six phone sessions, one a month, plus one in-person meeting per term. In addition, a yearly mentor/evaluation visit at the school where the student teaches will provide consultation and support. Where observation at the student’s school is not possible, other teaching practice needs to be arranged by the student.
Prerequisites for Admission
• Part-time applicants must be currently practising at least three days a week in a Waldorf early childhood setting
• Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy Certificate (see website for details) or equivalent certificate
• Completion of the preparatory reading list
Certification
On completion of all course requirements, Rudolf Steiner College Canada will issue a Certificate of Course Completion in Waldorf Early Childhood Education. This course has been recognized by WECAN as fulfilling the expectations for Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Education.
Application Requirements
1. Click on the button above to complete the online application form.
2. Once your application has been received, we will contact you to schedule an interview
3. Upon acceptance student teachers must obtain a police clearance letter from their local police department and a student visa (if coming from a foreign country).
Applications are due by the end of April. (Applications received after this date may be considered if places are still available.)
For more information and to discuss individual circumstances please contact the director
Click Here for Tuition Fee Information
Financial Assistance
1. AWSNA Loan/Grant
Information about the Loan and Grant programs can be found here – read it thoroughly and carefully: TELG Program Summary
Note the application deadlines for 2025-2026:
- For programs starting in summer 2025 – May 15
- For programs starting in fall 2025 – August 15
- Priority will be given to second and third-year students
Applications can be found here:
AWSNA CPT Grant Application Form – note that a school Commitment Form must be submitted. This form can be found here: School Commitment Form
2. Vidar Foundation Tuition Loan
Vidar offers limited, no-interest loans to students (Canadian only) to cover tuition and other expenses associated with becoming a Waldorf teacher or Waldorf early childhood teacher through RSCC.
Your school does not need to be an AWSNA member for you to apply for this loan/grant. However, your school must be located in Canada.
3. Waldorf Educational Fund Grant
The Waldorf Educational Fund (WEF) offers financial aid in the form of a grant for students in Waldorf teacher training programs at RSCC.
Application Form for WEF Scholarship 2025
Your school does not need to be an AWSNA member for you to apply for this grant. Definitely apply for this grant, which can be up to $1,000 depending on the number of applicants. Deadline May 15, 2025.
4. Cawthra Mulock Foundation Scholarship
Rudolf Steiner College Canada is pleased to announce that a modest amount of additional scholarship support is available for the Professional Development for Waldorf Early Childhood Teachers Part Time Birth-to-Three and Birth-to-Seven programs.
To apply, please fill in the scholarship application form found through the link below, and return it to us by May 15, 2025 – deadline.
This money will be granted to well qualified applicants who meet all the current admission requirements and can demonstrate their commitment to furthering the mission of Waldorf Early Childhood education in the world and is not dependent on the status of your school.
Director
Karen Weyler, Director of Early Childhood Teacher Education, is a Registered Early Childhood Educator with 25 years of experience as a Waldorf early childhood teacher, including kindergarten, nursery, parent-and-child classes, home childcare operator, and licensed childcare centre supervisor. She was a founder of the Trillium Waldorf School and of the Star Seedlings Family and Childcare Centre in Guelph. As a teacher educator, she has taught in Canada as well as in China, Nepal and Vietnam. As a true thought leader in the field, she brings deep knowledge of child development and an abiding passion for ensuring children are met with warmth and wisdom through their early years.
Mentors: All students are assigned a trained and experienced mentor to support them through this two year program.
This program has been pre-screened with the Ontario Ministry of Trainings, Colleges and Universities and does not require approval under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.
Photos below and at top are of Birth to Seven part-time graduating class of 2020. Bottom photo by Emily Watson.
© Copyright 2023 RSCC All Rights Reserved.
Our programs prepare students for working in Waldorf Early Childhood classrooms.
This program does not lead to membership with the College of ECEs or the College of Teachers.
A special thank you to Logan O’Hearn at Mercurius Canada for the generous donation of resources for our Early Childhood Teacher Education Programs. Phone 807.345.9557 www.mercurius-canada.com
© Copyright 2021 RSCC. All Rights Reserved.
This program does not require approval under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005.