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Steiner Education
Nurturing the whole child — head, heart, and hands
What is Steiner Education?
Founded by Rudolf Steiner over 100 years ago, Waldorf/Steiner education is a holistic approach that recognises children develop through distinct stages — and tailors the curriculum to meet them at each step. Today, over 1,200 Waldorf schools operate in more than 80 countries worldwide.
At Wild Cherry, we follow the Australian Steiner Curriculum Framework, which meets all national educational requirements while maintaining the distinctive richness and depth that makes Steiner education so transformative.
The Three-Fold Approach
Head, Heart & Hands
Steiner education develops all three aspects of the human being in balance.
Head — Thinking
Intellectual clarity, analytical thinking, and a love of learning developed through age-appropriate academics, storytelling, and inquiry.
Heart — Feeling
Emotional intelligence, empathy, and aesthetic sensitivity nurtured through music, art, relationships, and a deep connection to nature and community.
Hands — Willing
Practical capability, initiative, and purpose cultivated through handcraft, gardening, cooking, woodwork, and meaningful physical activity.
Developmental Stages
Meeting the child where they are
Steiner education recognises three broad stages of development, each with its own way of learning.
0–7 years
The Will — Learning through doing
In the early years, children learn primarily through imitation and purposeful activity. Play is the essential work of childhood — building imagination, social skills, and physical coordination.
7–14 years
The Heart — Learning through feeling
During the primary years, children connect with learning through stories, images, and artistic expression. A beloved class teacher brings each subject alive through rich, imaginative teaching.
14–21 years
The Head — Learning through thinking
Adolescents develop independent thinking, critical analysis, and personal ideals. They engage with the world through intellectual inquiry, social responsibility, and creative expression.
What Makes It Different
The Steiner difference
Play-Based Early Years
Young children learn through imaginative play, sensory exploration, and imitation — building strong foundations for later academic learning.
Arts in Everything
Visual arts, music, drama, and handcraft are woven into every subject, bringing learning alive and developing the whole person.
Music & Movement
Every child learns an instrument, sings daily, and practises eurythmy — a movement art that develops coordination and inner awareness.
Nature Connection
Gardening, outdoor play, and seasonal festivals connect children deeply with the natural world and the rhythms of the year.
Class Teacher Journey
One dedicated teacher guides each class through multiple years, building deep relationships and understanding each child's unique path.
Main Lesson Blocks
Immersive four-week blocks allow deep engagement with a single subject, leading to genuine understanding rather than surface-level coverage.
“Our highest endeavour must be to develop free human beings who are able of themselves to impart purpose and direction to their lives.”
Experience Steiner education
Visit Wild Cherry and see how our approach brings out the best in every child.