Early Years & Kindergarten
Open 5 days a week from August 27th

Covid-19 Update

Early Years is set to open as usual along with the rest of the School on Thursday 27th August 2020.

Measures will be taken to ensure the self-contained Early Years area is a safe space for all. We are keeping a close eye on guidelines and updates and will be sure to communicate changes to current and prospective parents.

Detailed information will be made clear to parents in the lead up to the new term.

For now, we wish you a happy and safe summer.

Babies & Toddlers

The early stages
From bumps to walking

Two of our Early Years groups are for babies, toddlers and parents to begin exploring play together in comfortable and familiar surroundings.

In a quiet and homely environment, these sessions follow a gentle rhythm with activities involving both adults and children, helping to promote a strong bond as well as healthy social interaction.

Baby Group
We welcome expectant mothers, carers/parents and their babies, offering a relaxing, nurturing and creative environment, where we craft, share experiences and food, and sing together.

Parent & Child (often referred to as toddlers group)
Our parent & child sessions welcome up to nine toddlers with their parents, grandparents and carers (siblings also welcome), to share fun together in a warm, friendly and relaxed environment with activities including baking, crafts and some outdoor play.

Playgroup

Learning to play
For children aged 2+

Attended without parents/carers, the Playgroup welcomes up to ten toddlers, and enables them to develop independence, meet new friends, learn social skills and have fun!

During the session, imagination and creativity are nurtured through free play with simple toys and natural materials. Outside, the group enjoys its own sandpit and mud kitchen, as well as nature walks through the beautifully maintained school grounds, and use of the Kindergarten garden.

The children help to prepare and share together a healthy, organic snack. The session ends with a short circle time which can include songs, finger rhymes, stories or a puppet show.

Kindergarten

A home away from home
For children aged 3½ +

The rhythm of daily life in the Kindergarten is simple and unhurried without the notions of ‘achievement’,’ success’, or ‘failure’.

As Kindergarten is often the first step away from home, the soft and warming colours combine with the child-friendly architecture to provide a homely atmosphere where young children can flourish. Each of the four groups has its own specialist teacher, a cloakroom, cooking area and entrance to a large communal garden with swings, a sandpit, lawn and climbing trees to explore.

Water-colour painting, modelling, hand-crafts and baking awaken creativity, while the imagery of fairy tales, poetry, plays and songs encourages the child’s language skills and feelings. Circle games and outdoor play increase physical strength, agility and grace while seasonal festivals develop a meaningful connection with nature.

What makes us different?

Heads, Hearts & Hands

We believe each child is unique and deserves a unique educational experience.

We strive to engage the heads, hearts and hands of all our pupils with a curriculum that supports their intellectual, social, emotional and spiritual development, and encourages their innate curiosity and love of learning.

The foundations for this journey start with the Early Years.

Watch our video to learn more

Child-friendly design

The Early Years groups and Kindergarten enjoy dedicated and plentiful outdoor grounds and spacious undefined areas employ the imagination, develop creativity and encourage meaningful play.

Floor-to-ceiling windows allow natural light to stream in. A kitchen in each of the rooms brings a homely feel to the holistic environment; whilst the child-friendly architecture is complimented by the natural play props – from silk veils, wooden kitchen, Waldorf dolls, cooking utensils and open-ended playthings.

Around the enclosed gardens of the Early Years, set within a protected conservation area of Edinburgh, features include sandpits, swings, water play areas, climbing trees, a bonfire area, composting, vegetable plots, woodwork benches, bird feeders, hidden den areas and places for the children to create their own natural playground.

Take a closer look with our virtual tour

The art of play

Play is essential for developing the fundamental tools for life, from encouraging social, emotional and thinking skills, to fostering a sense of wonder and imagination whilst building dexterity and confidence of the mind and body.

Our Early Years provision is firmly rooted with these principles, with activities embedded in the cycle of the seasons and the festivities that come with them.

“Play is the cornerstone of creative thought”

Rudolf Steiner

Flexibility for you and your child

We aim to ensure that you are accommodated with an Early Years schedule that works for you and most importantly, for your child.

Our admissions team will be happy to discuss your options.

Enquire today with the form at the bottom of this page

Experienced, qualified and registered staff

As with any organisation, it is the people that make the magic happen.

Our Early Years staff are fully trained teachers with the skills, dedication and passion required for providing the best possible care for your child.

See our most recent inspection results

Enquiries

Please fill in the below form to get in touch with our admissions team who will guide you through the next steps and provide further information relevant to you and your child.

Your Full Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Your Mobile Number (required)

Your Address (required)

Your child/children's name - please include all siblings whom you are enquiring on behalf of (required)

Child/children's date of birth - if multiple children, please list DOB in the same order as above (required)

Your child/children's gender (required)

Please state which part(s) of Early Years you are interested in:
Baby GroupParent & Child (Toddlers)PlaygroupKindergarten

Please select your ideal start date (term begins 27th August):

Please list any illnesses, allergies (especially regarding diet), medications or other issues which it may be helpful to know:

Emergency contact name & number (required)

Marketing Questions: Your answers help us improve our service and reach other prospective parents

Why are you interested in joining the Edinburgh Steiner School Early Years community?

Where did you hear about us? E.g. word of mouth, google search, instagram, print media (please be as specific as possible)

Would you like to join the School's mail list to hear news, events and more? You can unsubscribe at any time.

Any questions for our admissions team or Early Years staff?

This form collects and processes personal data in order to facilitate your enquiry and assist with your application. Your information will be stored securely on our database for these purposes and will not be shared with anyone outwith the Early Years admissions process. To find out more about how we protect and manage your submitted data please see our privacy policy

I understand and consent to the collection of my data for the purposes of the Early Years admissions process.

An automated confirmation response will be sent via email. Please check your junk email folder if you do not see come in.

Early Years & Kindergarten Open 5 days a week from August 27th