Waldorf education is built on the philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, emphasizing the holistic development of each child. It balances intellectual, artistic, and practical learning, fostering a love for discovery and creativity. By aligning the curriculum with developmental stages, it nurtures curiosity, resilience, and self-awareness.

What sets Waldorf schools apart is the emphasis on relationship-based teaching—teachers often stay with the same class for multiple years, building deep trust and understanding. The education is also rooted in hands-on learning and integrated arts, making lessons more meaningful and engaging.

The goal is not just academic achievement but the cultivation of thoughtful, compassionate individuals ready to contribute positively to society. This focus on educating the whole child—head, heart, and hands—is what makes Waldorf schools truly unique and enduringly relevant in a changing world.

Our Comprehensive Curriculum: A Holistic Approach to Learning.

At Nairobi Waldorf School Trust, education is more than just academics—it’s a journey that nurtures the head, heart, and hands of each child. Our curriculum integrates academic studies with the fine, performing, and practical arts, creating a well-rounded and enriching experience. Each subject is taught through a hands-on, artistic, and intellectual approach, ensuring that learning comes alive for every student.

An Education for Life.

At Nairobi Waldorf School Trust, we strive to prepare students not just for academic success but for life itself. Our curriculum fosters a deep sense of community, social responsibility, and personal fulfillment, ensuring that each child grows into a confident, compassionate individual ready to make a positive impact in the world.

Waldorf Specialty Subjects

At Nairobi Waldorf School Trust, specialty subjects enrich our core curriculum and nurture the development of the whole child—intellectually, artistically, and physically. Thoughtfully integrated to complement academic learning, these subjects offer a balanced, holistic educational experience that fosters creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills. By engaging students in diverse activities that include handwork, music, movement, drama, and languages, we create a dynamic and meaningful learning environment where children grow into well-rounded, capable individuals prepared to thrive in life. 

Artistic Subjects

• Integrated movement curriculum ;  NWST incorporates this unique movement art, combining speech, music, and physical movement, to enhance students’ self-expression and emotional awareness.
• Fine Arts: Students engage in drawing, and painting, fostering creativity, fine motor skills, and keen observation of the world around them.
• Integrated arts program: Drawing, painting, modeling, map making.
• Handcrafts: Knitting, crocheting, and other handcrafts are taught, promoting patience, skill-building, and appreciation for manual work.
• Music: With a focus on singing and playing instruments like the recorder and string instruments, NWST nurtures students’ musical talents and understanding of rhythm, melody, and harmony.

 Practical Skills

• Woodworking: NWST students learn to create functional and artistic wooden items, cultivating craftsmanship, precision, and patience.
• Gardening: The school emphasizes ecological responsibility and sustainability through gardening for grade 3 students where students develop a deeper connection to nature.

Cultural and Language Studies

• World Languages: NWST students are introduced to languages such as French, in addition to English, encouraging global awareness and communication skills.

Physical Education

• Movement Games: Activities like cooperative games, rhythm exercises, and physical coordination tasks are used to strengthen both physical skills and social collaboration.
• Outdoor Adventures: The school takes advantage of its natural environment, organizing hiking, nature walks, and other outdoor activities to foster resilience, connection to nature, and physical fitness.

Early Childhood at Nairobi Waldorf School Trust

At NWST, our Early Childhood program creates a warm, home-like environment for children aged 18 months to 6 years. Rooted in Waldorf education, we nurture curiosity, creativity, and a love for life through meaningful daily rhythms like baking, painting, and play.

Crafts, handwork, games, and regular outdoor play encourage the healthy growth of the child’s body. Toys, art materials, and classroom aesthetics emphasize natural, simple materials, encouraging the child’s imagination. Through play, each child learns a broad range of cognitive, social, and linguistic skills.

Our mixed-age classrooms foster collaboration, while seasonal festivals and community events enrich each child’s experience. Through free play and hands-on activities, children develop essential motor, social, and emotional skills, preparing them for lifelong learning.

With flexible schedules and an extended day option, we provide the support families need while ensuring every child thrives in a joyful, nurturing space.

Toddlers (18 Months to 3 Years)

Our toddler program focuses on nurturing the youngest learners in a warm, safe, and stimulating environment. Through a carefully designed rhythm of daily activities, we encourage social interaction, sensory exploration, and foundational motor skill development, all guided by the principles of Waldorf education. Children report from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and parents have the flexibility to choose a schedule that suits their needs—bringing their children for two or three days a week, or the whole week if they prefer.

Daily Rhythm

Each day follows a consistent structure that helps toddlers feel secure and engaged. Activities include:

• Morning Ring: Songs, poems, and rhymes that enhance language skills and introduce rhythm and repetition.
• Storytime: Engaging tales such as “The Little Shell” and “The Tiny Caterpillar,” which ignite curiosity and imagination.
• Creative Play: Opportunities for free play with toys, blocks, and natural materials, fostering creativity and social interaction.
• Artistic Exploration: Painting, drawing, and modeling activities help refine fine motor skills while encouraging self-expression.

Seasonal Themes and Activities

Our curriculum is woven around seasonal themes, introducing children to the natural world in an age-appropriate way. For instance:

• Nature Exploration: Children experience the weather and learn about their environment through sensory activities.
• Festivals of Light: Celebrating the season with songs, crafts, and storytelling, fostering reverence and joy.

Developmental Goals

 The toddler program supports key developmental milestones:

• Socialization and collaborative play.
• Language and listening skill development.
• Building large motor skills and foundational senses through movement and rhythm.
• Encouraging creativity and individuality.

Materials and Resources

We use simple, natural materials such as crayons, paint, play dough, and wooden blocks to encourage sensory exploration and creativity. Waldorf-inspired manuals or guidelines and teacher-created stories enrich the program with age-appropriate activities and meaningful experiences.

Playgroup (Ages 3–4)

The Playgroup program at Nairobi Waldorf School introduces children to a vibrant and imaginative environment that fosters a love for learning and discovery. Our activities are thoughtfully designed to meet the developmental needs of this age group, encouraging creativity, fine motor skills, and social-emotional growth. Children attend school from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM, providing ample time for engaging in a variety of enriching activities that nurture their growth and development.

Daily Activities and Themes

 Each day follows a balanced rhythm, allowing children to explore and learn through seasonal themes and hands-on activities:

• Morning Ring: Songs and movement that enhance language development, body coordination, and spatial awareness. Themes such as Beach, Flowers, and Rainy/Insects connect children with nature and its seasons.
• Storytelling: Engaging tales like The Little Zebra, Thumbelina, and The Magic Cooking Pot spark awe, wonder, and imagination while building listening and concentration skills.
• Artistic Expression: Activities include painting, drawing, wool crafts, paper crafts, and modeling. These develop eye-hand coordination, fine motor skills, and a sense of beauty and accomplishment.
• Gardening: Practical activities such as planting and nurturing gardens encourage responsibility, patience, and an appreciation for nature.

Core Objectives

The Playgroup program supports children in developing key foundational skills:

• Enhancing creativity and imagination through storytelling and art.
• Strengthening language skills through songs, rhymes, and thematic activities.
• Building fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination with crafts and practical tasks.
• Encouraging reverence and social skills through seasonal celebrations and group activities.

Kindergarten (Ages 4–6)

In our Kindergarten program, children are guided through a nurturing and rhythmic environment where imagination, creativity, and a love for learning flourish. Designed to meet the developmental needs of children aged 4–6, the curriculum blends play-based learning with hands-on activities that lay the foundation for academic and social-emotional growth.

Daily Rhythm and Seasonal Themes

The Kindergarten program follows a predictable and comforting rhythm that allows children to thrive. Each day features a mix of:

• Morning Ring: Songs, verses, and movement activities enhance language development, body coordination, and spatial awareness. Seasonal themes like Beach, Flowers, and Sharing & Light help children connect with nature and the world around them.
• Storytelling: Captivating tales such as The Little Zebra, Thumbelina, and Kipury inspire wonder, creativity, and listening skills. These stories provide a moment of calmness while fostering imagination and language growth.
• Artistic Expression: Painting, drawing, and crafts such as wool work, paper crafts, and modeling encourage fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and individual creativity.
• Gardening: Practical activities like planting and nurturing gardens instill a sense of responsibility and appreciation for the natural world.

Core Objectives

Through the curriculum, children develop essential skills and values:

• Language Development: Enhanced through songs, movement, and engaging storytelling.
• Motor Skills: Strengthened through creative activities like drawing, painting, and crafts.
• Social and Emotional Growth: Fostered by themes of sharing, caring, and community building.
• Imagination and Creativity: Nurtured by stories and free play, laying a strong foundation for problem-solving and critical thinking.