we are looking into this option as well.
there is a state primary school that is offering duel education - 2 streams, tradition and steiner... you can elect which your child attends, however if the teaching staff think that they would be better suited to tradition they are switched over. Dont know if it would work, but it is local, so i am looking into it more.
A friend had her daughter in steiner kindy, then they spent a year OS where she went to traditional shool as it was not an option where they went, she had a place for prep/grade 1 in the steiner school, but her daughter prefered the traditional school system. So i guess the childs learning needs to be considered too.
We do similar things to Peach, but also go walking and talk about the environment and surrounds, garden and shop together and turn all these into a learning activity.
We also sing songs EVERY day - she has a book and she chooses her favourites and is now begining to join in.
In the bath we have letters and we choose the letter and give it a name (D for Daddy, M or Mumma etc) she is learning in such a fun enviroment, thats she doesnt know that she is learning... i dont think that she actually understands about the letters yet but can recognise A (Alex) B (balloon) D (daddy) E (elmo) F (fish) H (house) M (Mumma, Molly or Max) N (nina or Nanna) T (tea or tic toc - her name for my dad).
and basically we keep a running commentary on all that goes on in the day. she helps cook - tears lettuce or mixes things or pretend she is cooking.
there is learning with pretty much everything that we do...
Lulu, you're right about enrolment!! The reason I've started thinking about it so early is that we heard that the Steiner in Warranwood has a huuuuge wait-list and we pretty much have to enrol now even though DD is only 6 months. Even then, she may miss out as siblings of kids already enrolled are given priority.
The fees at the private one (Warranwood) are similar to many private schools - abt 3 grand for prep and then 5-7 grand for primary. GULP! I don't know if we'll be able to afford it but I'm putting her name down so at least we have the option when it comes to the crunch.
There's also a Steiner stream in a school in Kilsyth (SJ I wonder if that's the one you're referring to) which is far less exxy but I haven't checked it out yet. We went to the open day at Warranwood and it's BEAUTIFUL but missed the other one's open day.
As far as early influences go... I'm trying to find more natural objects (pine-cones, stones, sand, leaves etc.) for DD to explore and reduce the amount of plastic, electronic toys and TV she is exposed to. I'm trying to get her to the park to play in the grass, let her explore water and earth and the elements - like taking her out when it's raining lightly or windy. I try to sing to her every day and hope to be able to foster her imagination through stories and imaginative play...
But it's hard! It's hard to find safe natural toys. It's hard not to just get lazy and turn on the TV or go with readily available and cheap toys. My friend who is a Steiner teacher says it's very important for young children to have rhythm and routine in their days. But I'm so spontaneous and thoroughly disorganised that apart from a few habits, every day is a bit random. I also find that although I hold certain values such as living in tune with nature or practicing patience and persistence, the reality is that I end up too lazy/busy to maintain my vegie garden or end up modelling a more erratic, slap-dash approach to tasks.
I feel like if I'm going to follow the ideals of a Steiner education, or what's more, if I'm going to teach DD the values that I hold dear, I need to pull my finger out and start living it more. I guess I've turned to BB (again!) as I'm looking for peers to give me that accountability and inspiration that comes from being a part of a like-minded community.
At Warranwood they go to year 12! I was told they do a 2nd intake at yr 7 so I'm hoping DS will have a chance there too.
Thanks to the wonderful Olive I found another school. Not Steiner though, apparently some Steiner/Montessori teachers 'broke away' and founded their own school. Google The Village - you will LOVE it and it's good to know Steiner isn't the only option apart from mainstream.
DS is IN! I'm thrilled to the maximum. Fees are exxy but if a single mumma like me can do it, you can too.
I'd probably be stuffed at Steiner now I look at it. DS watches telly and all that horrible bad stuff! However with my lifestyle (broke), we find that creating things out of nothing and investigating all thing natural (and free ) are along the same lines.
Steiner toys can be exxy. We make out own fun out of containers, timber off-cuts etc and I can't see it's much different.
Santosha- you may be interested in the Montessori Kinder in Mt Evelyn too. I've enrolled ds1 there for next year. lots of lovely wooden toys.pm me if you'd like details.
Last edited by Ginger; November 26th, 2009 at 04:47 PM.
Lulu - The Village is just down the street from me. I'm keen on that too and will probably also enrol there so when it comes to the time, I have the options open and can choose what best suits DD (and our budget). Spoilt for choice really!!
Ginger - I haven't really looked into Montessori. I have to confess that I've turned a blind eye to it simply because my parents put me in a Montessori kinder when I was little and apparently I HATED it ... hmmm not really worth holding on to a 25 year prejudice that I can't even remember the reasons for eh?! I shall investigate furthur! Thanks for the suggestion.
Last edited by Santosha; November 26th, 2009 at 07:46 PM.
: spelling
jeez i wish i had that much choice we have 2 schools here a catholic and a public school and it looks like the catholic school isnt different except for the RE and the public school is literaly a 2 minute walk
Just though I'd add, my DH went to a Steiner school for the whole of his school career and he LOVED it. He talks about his school days with great fondness. He didn't learn to read until he was 12, he was way too busy playing in the dirt. We have his school books from his early years there and they are absolutely beautiful, full of the most amazing and colorful drawings (but there are little dirty finger marks everywhere ). And he knows all his myths and legends. He did very well in his HSC and got the marks he need to get into is chosen course at uni.
When people meet my DH and get to know him, they are often very surprised if/when they find out that he went to a Steiner school. He is the most unSteinerish person you will ever meet. His older sister and younger brother both went there too but didn't have as good an experience as my DH. DH's younger brother definitely needed a school with more structure and discipline and ended up doing his HSC again at TAFE after he finished school. I do think sometimes different kids in the same family need different schools to suit their individual personally types and requirements (my sister and I went to different high schools).
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and all that horrible bad stuff! However with my lifestyle (broke), we find that creating things out of nothing and investigating all thing natural (and free 
) are along the same lines.
). And he knows all his myths and legends. He did very well in his HSC and got the marks he need to get into is chosen course at uni.
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