Early Childhood Education (ECE) at Rudolf Steiner College offers five different tracks for future teachers who plan on working with young children. We are pleased to offer a complete birth to seven early childhood training which prepares our students for teaching in parent infant, parent child, nursery and Kindergarten classes. We also have the LifeWays program for home day care providers and extended day caregivers. We offer both full-time and part-time programs designed to fit your schedule.

Diploma/Certificate Programs

Waldorf Teacher Education Program
Two-year full-time program that prepares students to teach in a Waldorf early childhood setting. Begins every September.

San Francisco Weekend and Summer Teacher Education Program
Three-year weekend program meets Friday evenings and Saturday mornings September through May in San Francisco and three weeks of full-time study for three summers at Fair Oaks campus. Begins every September.

Summer Teacher Education Program
Four-year summer program 3-5 weeks each summer with mentoring and class observation during the school year. Begins every summer.

Early Childhood In-Service Program
Part-time program designed to give course credit for "on the job" experience in a Waldorf Early Childhood classroom. Course prerequisite: At least one year working in a WECAN member or ASWNA Waldorf School early childhood classroom. The student must continue working in an early childhood setting over the course of the training. Three weeks in summer for three years, one week in fall, and one week in spring for two years. Mentoring during the school year. Begins every other July; the next cycle begins Summer 2011.

LifeWays Childcare Provider Training Program
This program is a one-year, part-time training that meets for three intensive sessions in the autumn, spring, and summer, and fulfills the 12-credit State of California Title 22 requirements for becoming a licensed childcare provider. New program begins every fall.

Early Childhood Programs & Events flier (PDF)