# Steiner Waldorf nurseries explained What a Steiner Waldorf kindergarten is like, the daily rhythm and play-based approach, how it relates to the EYFS, and what to ask on a visit. By The Toddly editorial team. Updated 11 November 2026. Page: https://toddly.co.uk/guides/steiner-waldorf-nurseries A Steiner Waldorf nursery, often called a kindergarten, follows the educational ideas of Rudolf Steiner. Days follow a calm, predictable rhythm of free play, songs, stories, baking, gardening and seasonal festivals, with simple toys made from wood, wool and cloth and plenty of time outdoors. Formal teaching of reading and writing is usually left until later. In England, Steiner settings are registered with Ofsted and work within the Early Years Foundation Stage. ## What it looks like - **A homely room:** soft colours, natural materials, simple handmade toys and few plastic or electronic ones. - **Rhythm and repetition:** the same pattern each day and each week, such as baking on Monday and painting on Tuesday, so children know what comes next. - **Imaginative free play** with open-ended materials: cloths, logs, shells, dolls with simple faces. - **Practical work** alongside adults: bread-making, sweeping, gardening, mending. - **Stories told from memory,** songs, verses and circle games. - **Seasonal festivals** marking the year. - **Mixed ages,** often from about 3 to 6, with separate parent-and-child groups for younger children in some settings. ## The ideas behind it Steiner education sees early childhood as a time for imitation, imagination and physical activity rather than formal learning. Adults model calm, purposeful work for children to copy, and the environment protects children from too much stimulation. Academic learning is introduced gradually and later. ## Steiner and the EYFS Steiner settings follow the [EYFS](/glossary/eyfs) welfare and safeguarding requirements, including [ratios](/guides/nursery-staff-ratios), and are inspected by Ofsted. Historically some have been able to apply for exemptions from parts of the EYFS learning and development requirements, for example around early reading and technology. Ask each setting how it meets the framework and whether it uses any exemptions. ## What to ask on a visit - What is the daily and weekly rhythm? - How much time do children spend outdoors? - How do you support early communication, and how do you approach letters and numbers? - Do you use any EYFS exemptions? - How do children move on to primary school, and how do you prepare them for reception? - What training do staff have in Steiner early childhood education? ## A typical morning A Steiner kindergarten morning often begins with free play as children arrive, while an adult kneads bread or prepares fruit and children drift in to help. A tidy-up song signals circle time, with verses, finger games and movement. Snack is shared at a laid table, often with a candle and a short verse. Children then go outside to the garden, whatever the weather, before gathering for a story told from memory, sometimes the same story for a week so children can live with it. The day ends calmly, with a song. ## Costs and funding Steiner settings may be independent schools' kindergartens or stand-alone nurseries. Many offer funded hours; ask how they are applied. Compare fees with our [childcare cost calculator](/childcare-cost-calculator). ## Is it right for your child? Families who choose Steiner often value the unhurried pace, imaginative play, time outdoors and freedom from screens. Others prefer a setting that introduces letters and numbers earlier, especially before reception at a mainstream school. As always, the visit is the best guide: watch how children play and how adults guide them. Check the latest Ofsted report, fees and funded hours, and take our [visit checklist](/nursery-visit-checklist). See the [glossary entry](/glossary/steiner) for a short definition, and our guide to [moving on to reception](/guides/moving-on-to-reception). ## Related - [Nursery visit checklist](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery-visit-checklist) ## Frequently asked questions ### Do Steiner nurseries teach reading? Formal teaching of reading and writing is usually left until later than in most English settings, with the early years focused on play, stories, songs and practical activities. ### Are Steiner nurseries inspected by Ofsted? Yes. Registered Steiner settings in England are on the Early Years Register and inspected by Ofsted. ### Are screens used? Steiner settings usually keep screens and electronic toys out of the kindergarten.