Parent and Child sessions are a family’s first step into the vital community of the School. Parents and Carers come together to learn and share from gentle seasonal songs to emotional support in the social interactions of toddlers. 

The sessions take place in a beautiful home-like setting where your child is able to play safely and creatively. Children are free to play and explore carefully selected ‘bits and bobs’ of the sort that surround us in our homes, as well as toys crafted from wood or other natural materials. When outside in the beautiful garden space which is located amongst the extensive school grounds, children explore the natural world, which is an integral part of the curriculum as the children grow up. 

Parent and Child Group

Please click here if you would like to register for Parent and Child 

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Parent and Child [email protected]

Our Saplings groups support and educate children 2-4 years old. Through the developmental research of Emmi Pikler, Rudolf Steiner, and modern educational theorists, that we have developed a home away from home Waldorf environment for the young child that allows them the freedom and time to develop at their own pace while establishing secure attachments to those who care for them. 

Our experienced and trained practitioners provide gentle, responsive care that respects each child's autonomy and supports their growing independence.  Our carefully designed space is filled with natural materials and open-ended toys that inspire creativity, imagination, and curiosity. We believe that self-initiated activity promotes self-image, self-control, and many other essential skills in young children. 

We offer flexible sessions, morning and afternoon for a minimum of 3 sessions a week.

We are now accepting applications for September 2024, click here to apply.

A child’s learning is directly connected to their physical body and sensory experience – everything a child sees, hears and touches has an effect on their knowledge of the world around them. At Michael Hall School we offer Kindergarten and Waldorf Forest Kindergarten for children aged 4 to 6 years.  It is through these settings that children are given the time and room to learn through play, exploration, movement, and community connections.

In our Kindergartens we provide beautiful, peaceful and orderly surroundings with natural materials and warm textures. Kindergarten sessions include both indoor and outdoor time, with immersive natural experiences being at the heart of our curriculum. 

In our Waldorf Forest Kindergarten we provide an almost exclusively outdoor program with a dedicated woodland area that has a small shelter equipped with a wood burning stove used on colder days. 

Both our Kindergartens and our Waldorf Forest Kindergarten fully follow a Waldorf Early Childhood curriculum that includes play, practical work, seasonal circle times, arts, crafts and practical work. They do so while forming social bonds in warm, intentional and inclusive environments. 

We offer full time or part time (mornings only) registrations in Kindergarten. 

Click here to apply for Kindergarten 

Afternoon sessions take place every day from 12:30 – 15:30 (with gates opening at 15:20), Monday to Thursday. Each session is led by Kindergarten Teacher Nicky Goodland or Genevieve Carter in the Afternoon Space within the Early Childhood building.

Following a shared meal using seasonal produce (locally sourced where possible), the children have a rest time. During this time, a story is read to them, providing a quiet moment to digest lunch and transition from the morning session. Once refreshed, children can enjoy free play either inside or, weather permitting, outside.

Billing and Fees

• Sessions are billed termly in line with school fees.
• Ad hoc / one-off sessions (limited to one per day) are available at a cost premium and will be billed as an extra.
• Payment is due for every session, whether your child attends or not.

Attendance and Collection

• Please inform us if someone different is collecting your child on a particular day. Children cannot be released to anyone unknown to us.
• We need to be informed if your child is not attending (e.g., they go to play with someone else), unless they have already been absent in the morning.

Notice for Changes or Cancellation

• To change days or reduce attendance, six weeks’ notice is required.
• ​​​​​​​To stop sessions completely, one term’s notice is required. Please contact Emily Gearing-Grief for any changes or cancellations.

Please complete this form if you would like your child to attend Cherry Tree Kindergarten Afternoon Sessions.

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact Emily Gearing-Grief.

Saplings Session Information:

• We offer flexible sessions, morning and afternoon for a minimum of 3 sessions a week:  
  • Morning sessions run from 8:10 - 12:30 Monday to Thursday
  • Afternoon sessions run from 12:30 - 3:30 Monday to Wednesday
  • Friday mornings and Thursday afternoons will be available once demand meets the threshold.
• In alignment with our Waldorf pedagogical understanding, once children turn 4 years old, they attend a recommended 4 morning sessions a week in preparation for their transition to Kindergarten.  There is not a maximum amount of sessions a child can attend in a week.

Kindergarten Session information:

• We offer full time sessions or part time sessions (mornings only)
• Kindergarten mornings are Monday to Friday 8:10-12:30 and afternoons are 12:30-3:30 Monday to Thursday
• Full time sessions run 8:10 - 3:30 Monday-Thursday
• In alignment with our Waldorf pedagogical understanding, once children turn 4 years old they attend a recommended minimum of 4 consecutive morning sessions a week. 5 year olds attend a minimum of 5 mornings a week. There is not a maximum number of sessions a child can attend in a week.

At Michael Hall, as with all Waldorf Schools in the UK, we begin formal academic learning in Class 1 in the year children turn 7 years of age.  In order to do so we have gained exemptions from certain parts of the EYFS, a statutory framework for children from birth to 5 years of age.  To learn more about our exemptions please click here. 

Early Childhood Professionals

Would you like to spend a morning observing Waldorf Early Childhood Education? 
Would you like a member of our Early Childhood faculty to speak at your school?

Please click here to complete the enquiries form.

Early Childhood Trainee Placement Inquiries

Are you in a certified Early Childhood qualification and are looking for a placement?  We accept placement applications for 2 weeks to a half term in duration. Placements are limited. 

Please click here to complete the enquiries form.