Linuwel Preschool - Introduction
Linuwel Pre-school is a children’s service for 3 – 4 years olds. Its operation is based on the indications given by Rudolf Steiner regarding the development of the child at this age, and how best to promote that development for the well-being of each individual.
The pre-school learning and socialising environment aims to provide a strong foundation for each child’s ability to confidently progress to Kindergarten during their sixth year. While there is a strong link to the Linuwel kindergarten, the skills and behaviours acquired will assist each child in their transition to any school.
Pre-school aged children are primarily developing their physical organs and skills through sensory perception and interaction with their environment, more through ‘doing’ than through thinking and reasoning. The pre-school provides a safe environment with a range of activities available to engage the children and foster healthy development. They are designed to allow the child’s imagination to be active in creative play, for example by using toys or objects whose function or character is not fixed but changes with each new game or situation.
A daily routine is introduced which provides a sense of security and allows the staff to promote in the children healthy and hygienic patterns of eating, playing and resting. Staff will discuss with parents the food, clothing and objects which children might bring to best complement the pre-school environment.
The staff understand the children’s very strong link to their parents, often the mother especially, and are conscious of their role and responsibility to provide a comparable level of care. They endeavour to guide the children towards desired activities and behaviours rather than direct them, and at all times are conscious that at this age most learning takes place through imitation. Thus staff will involve themselves in domestic and artistic activities around the children which will be an example for them through the course of the day.
A close connection with the natural world is established through walks, observation and story, and this is complemented as far as possible through the use of natural objects and materials. In this regard the pre-school is fortunate to be situated on a large site in a semi-rural environment.
