Early childhood at Roseway
Kindergarten: the years before Class 1
Kindergarten is the second step in a Waldorf education at Roseway, between Play Group and Class 1. Children join from about 4 years old and stay until they begin Class 1 in their seventh year. Mornings end at 12h30, on our campus in Alverstone, Outer West Durban.
In Kindergarten, each child's senses are nurtured and their capacity for wonder is protected. Our activities are carefully chosen to prepare children, both physically and in their thinking, for the exciting world of primary school.
12h30
home time
Kindergarten at a glance
- Ages
- From about 4 years until Class 1
- Home time
- 12h30
- Aftercare
- Free until 14h00, except Thursdays
- Next step
- Class 1, in the seventh year
- Where
- Our Alverstone campus
A gentle foundation for school
Young children have faith and trust in the people near them, and in their first years they believe in the goodness of the world. During these years we cherish and protect the development of all the child's senses.
Stillness, peace and an awareness of nature are an essential part of wonder. Children experience sunlight and darkness, rain and fires, cool grass and muddy puddles.
Great care goes into the Kindergarten surroundings. All activities are chosen to strengthen the children gently, rather than through a "toughening up" approach, and to develop the hearts, hands and minds of the children so that they are able to learn and create.
Learning through play
Inside our Kindergarten
The toys are simple, sturdy and made from natural materials, so that children can use their imagination. In the classroom you will find:
- Dressing up clothes
- Clothes-horses and cloths for building houses and ships
- Pieces of wood, shells and fir-cones for making little villages and landscapes
- Crayons, paper and materials for handcrafts
In the daily creative play time, children often act out what they have experienced. They play wholeheartedly and change the classroom to suit their games.
Festivals and the seasons
Seasonal plays and festivals are shared with the whole school community. The Kindergarten year follows the seasons and the festivals, such as Easter, St John's, Michaelmas and Christmas, with songs, stories, crafts and celebrations.
Festivals give young children a sense of rhythm and belonging, and a reason to look forward to each part of the year.
Kindergarten questions
Answers to the questions parents ask us most. If yours is not here, get in touch or call the school office on 031 768 1309.
Children usually join Kindergarten at about 4 years old, after Play Group. They stay in Kindergarten until they start Class 1 in their seventh year.
Kindergarten finishes at 12h30. The school day starts at 7h45.
Yes. Aftercare is free for Kindergarten children until 14h00, except on Thursdays. After that it costs R50 for the first hour or part of an hour, and R25 for each hour after that.
Formal reading and writing start in Class 1. In Kindergarten, children build the foundations through play, songs, verses and stories, drawing and handcrafts, and plenty of movement outdoors.
Each day includes creative free play indoors and outside, as well as activities such as drawing, handcrafts, seasonal crafts, stories and songs. Children also take part in seasonal plays and the school's festivals.
Simple, sturdy toys made from natural materials: dressing up clothes, cloths and clothes-horses for building houses and ships, and pieces of wood, shells and fir-cones for making little villages and landscapes.
We see a child's education as a partnership between parents and teachers. Parents are expected to attend the parents' evenings, where you hear about important stages in your child's development and can raise any questions. Your questions and participation are always welcome.
We introduce reading when children are developmentally ready for it, so that they enjoy it and become lifelong readers. In Kindergarten, children build the foundations first: a rich spoken language from songs, verses and stories, concentration through play, and the movement and hand skills that writing needs.
Experiencing sunlight and shade, rain and fires, cool grass and muddy puddles is part of how young children come to know the world. Outdoor play in all kinds of weather builds strong, healthy bodies and a deep connection with nature.
Festivals give young children a sense of rhythm and belonging. Preparing songs, stories and crafts for each festival, and celebrating together with the school community, helps them feel the passing of the seasons and look forward to each part of the year.
Use our fee calculator to see the current monthly, termly and yearly fees, including the sibling rate and discounts for paying in advance.
Start with a provisional application and pay the R850 non-refundable administration fee, which is deducted from your placement fee if your child is accepted. See Apply Now for the full process, or contact the school office on 031 768 1309.
Amazing things happen to your children
Come and talk to our passionate teachers and dedicated staff to find out "Why Waldorf?"