Rainbow Ridge Steiner School- Gorgeous!!!

The lovely Simone, with her loyal staff Robyn, Kathryn and Alenya, hosted our Steiner/Waldorf early childhood Regional Meeting last Saturday at Rainbow Ridge Steiner School.  We get together about 2 or 3 times a year, to share our thoughts, resources, ideas and of course to laugh and eat.  Eating is always such a big part of our day.

I think Rainbow Ridge might now be my favourite kindergarten I have visited!  It was definitely the biggest kindergarten space of all our local schools, and was so open, airy, bright and had plenty of FRESH AIR.  Delightful.  One of my favourite things was how the bifold doors opened up to the outside world and had these large carved planks across the openings that prevented the children from escaping/falling but allowed the outside world to come in.  The birdsong and twittering butterflies connected the room to nature. This space was like a little piece of living artwork in the room.

A well managed space is so important for the young child.  Little nooks and crannies actually allow children the opportunity to 'enfold' themselves in a cocoon of imaginative play.  Remember the many cubbies we built as children- they were our own little worlds.

A kindergarten needs lots of these little nooks to provide safety and security for the young child who is now entering the big wide world.   Rainbow Ridge did it so well.  I could imagine small groups of children, all independent of one another, playing out their worlds in complete harmony. 

(I won't say peace-  Kindergarten teachers know that although their spaces may be, and usually are, peaceful, imaginative play can be noisy!! )

I love this restful fellow.  I covet his restful state.

Storytime Magic.   We all wanted this corner in our homes, as well as our kindergarten rooms.  A designated story area.  Wow!  I would almost sell my soul for one of these.

I also loved their outside play area.  There was a large area under the building for play, which means there is never a problem in the summer storms.  I could imagine how safe it would feel to be under here in a storm.

The paved sandpit and crystal-sewn water area were special and I just loved the area where children could dig in the dirt to their heart's content. 

Thank you ladies, and your school community for the opportunity to visit you.

It was an occasion to remember, and for me, a big reminder that Steiner school education is growing, changing and evolving but that the essence of caring for the child remains. 

(Ps. Thank you to my friend Amanda, for joyful conversation and sharing of love stories!  I love a car journey with a fellow mama bear.  There is so much to learn from one another!)