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:

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

• Completion of Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy program is a prerequisite. Contact us for more details.

• 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

 The Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2025, does not apply to the program.

Photos below and at top are of Birth to Seven part-time graduating class of 2020. Bottom photo by Emily Watson.

© Copyright 2026 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.