The sessions run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9.30am-11am. Tuesday and Wednesday are indoor sessions at The Cambridge Steiner School and the outdoor session on Friday is held in a woodland nearby, the sessions are £44 per half term. For availability of sessions, booking, and any other questions you may have please contact The Parent and Child Lead Hannah on pandc@cambridge-steiner-school.co.uk
A brief Introduction to Hannah
"I grew up in South London, I then went on to study at Brighton University, for a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood, Education and Care (specializing in birth to five years old) I very much caught the 'seaside bug' and made Brighton my home for the next five years. After I graduated, I worked in many different early year's settings, ranging from being a nanny to being a nursery teacher. My whole professional and personal world changed when I came across Steiner education, this led me to work within the kindergarten at a Steiner school in Brighton, with two to four year olds, lastly then to work within the kindergarten at The Cambridge Steiner School. My practice within Steiner schools and the early years inspired me to embark on the Steiner Kindergarten Teacher Training which I completed in June 2022. I am very passionate about Steiner education, and I embody a holistic, gentle, unhurried and warm practice while working with families, babies, and young children."
The Rhythm and Approach
Once we have taken our outdoor wear off, put our slippers on, washed our hands, we shall share in some simple snack of baked bread and fruits, and allow the children to ‘arrive’ at a gentle pace into the quiet space.
As the adults present in the room we ask that we remain conscious of our voices and keep a low tone, this assists in creating a calm atmosphere and warm environment for all present in the room, the wider space and the school as a whole.
We shall have the time to share our own experiences and tell our own unique life story as a parent/carer, with the group also providing the opportunity to learn more about the early years Steiner ethos through activities for the children, as well as supportive reading and discussion for the parents/carers: we shall all be heard and seen and respected as we embark on this new (to some of us!) journey.
The group includes key Steiner early years educational practices such as free self-initiated play, song with movement, and a rhythm of repetition of daily life self-care routines. The group also allows parents to take part in a craft, while the adults engage themselves in purposeful activity, we see then that the child imitates this same engagement within their own self-initiated play.
The job of modern parents is becoming more and more demanding, trying to balance the stress of life while also understanding the need and desire to be present and nurturing as a parent. Many seek just a small island of calm and peace, a space to be truly held. And that's exactly what we offer in our Parent and Child group at The Cambridge Steiner School.
The young child’s consciousness is dream-like and much is done to protect this natural state. Songs are used to support transitions and we work with the young child’s need to imitate, role-modelling the qualities we wish to encourage to unfold from within the children, with joy and love.
This is an ideal place to meet other new parents and learn more about Steiner education. The group is suitable for pregnant mothers, newborns, and right up until the age of three years old. All families are warmly welcome.
“I very much look forward to attending the sessions as though they are a type of therapy for me, as well as for my daughter. The group has a warm, grounding and natural aura about it, which rebalances me for the week and leaves me so calm afterwards” (Parent, 2022)
"The Parent & Child Group at Cambridge Steiner School was the perfect environment for introducing my little one to other children, as well as adults. A calm, home like, natural environment, where the children get to play individually or interact with each other as they please, with conscious respectful involvement from the adults.
We love the values, structure, natural resources and friendly people at this school, and look forward to our weekly sessions." (Parent, 2021)