Waldorf Birth to Three Educator Training

14 Month Option of our Part Time Early Childhood Educator Program
Entry Every Two Years
Training Begins July 3, 2021

The application deadline has passed; please contact ece@westcoastinstitute.org to be put on the waiting list.

Due to covid restrictions, our July 2021 session will be online.

With a specific focus on the care and development of the young child, birth to three, this 14 month option of the part-time Early Childhood Educator Program offers artistic, practical, and philosophical studies in Waldorf Education, Anthroposophy, and an approach to care based on practices with the child’s wellbeing at heart.

With an emphasis on this unique time of childhood, the courses will focus on participants’ self-development, creativity, and an environment that fosters the young child’s free movement. Guided by an enthusiastic and deeply devoted faculty, courses in painting, eurythmy, speech, singing, storytelling, music, clay modeling, Spacial Dynamics, and child development will ignite capacities for deepening sensitivity for the care of young children from birth to three.

Participants meet for a three-week intensive for two summers, two online foundation studies and six-day intensives in fall and spring.

The Birth to Three certificate training offers:

• A cohort approach that builds relationships and community in the Birth to Three realm
• Can be completed in two summers and two six-day sessions – one in the fall and one in the spring
• 8 weeks of class time and two online studies
• Practicum and observation experience in other classrooms
• Mentoring with an experienced Waldorf Educator
• Some online study
• Shared studies with other students enrolled in the birth to seven program

Program Format

The first year of the 14 month option includes:

• 3 weeks summer intensive in Duncan on Vancouver Island, BC.
• 1 week in November (5.5 day intensive) in North Vancouver, BC.
• 1 week in February (5.5 day intensive) in North Vancouver, BC.

The second year of the 14 month option includes:

• 3 weeks summer intensive in Duncan on Vancouver Island, BC.

Further requirements:

On Completion of Program

Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Birth to Three Waldorf Early Childhood Educator Certificate*

* The West Coast Institute Early Childhood Program is approved by the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA), the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America (WECAN), the International Association for Steiner/Waldorf Early Childhood Education (IASWECE) and the Independent Schools Branch of the BC Ministry of Education, and has Designated Status with the Private Training Institutes Branch of the Ministry of Advanced Education of BC (PTIB).

* Students who wish to teach kindergarten in Waldorf Schools in BC must hold either a provincial teaching certificate or a degree accepted by the Independent Schools Branch of the BC Ministry of Education.

* Students who plan to teach in a licensed Early Child Care Facility will require an Early Childhood Education Certificate (ECE), from the Health Department.

List of Courses

More Details

Training Dates

• The summer session in 2021 runs from July 3-23. Due to covid restrictions, our July 2021 session will be online.
• The November session dates for 2021 are yet to be determined. This session is held at the Vancouver Waldorf School in North Vancouver, or online if necessary.
• The February session dates for 2022 are yet to be determined. This session is held at the Vancouver Waldorf School in North Vancouver, or online if necessary.

Program Fees

• The first year has 5 weeks of course work plus the follow up mentoring meetings and is $5700 Cdn. The second year has 3 weeks of course work plus the follow up mentoring meetings and is $3600 Cdn.
• One-time, non-refundable application fee of $100 Cdn.
• Additional costs for required course textbooks and some supplies.
• Tuition fees can be paid at $1140 per week, one month prior to each session or in monthly installments.
• After the payment deadline is past, a late fee of $100 Cdn will be charged.
• Electronic payments are preferred, always using the link on the website: Interac payments for Canadians and PayPal for International Students.
• Payments should always be made in Canadian dollars.
• NSF cheques will be charged a $30 fee Cdn.
• Cancellations/withdrawals will be refunded in accordance with the requirements of PTIB of British Columbia.
• The West Coast Institute for Studies in Anthroposophy reserves the right to make changes to fees, policies, regulations and courses when deemed necessary and as permitted by PTIB.

Application Process

An interview with one of the Institute’s Program Directors, or someone in your local area requested by them to do so, is necessary prior to acceptance.  Please complete the process as described below, being sure to show details of any post-secondary diplomas and/or degrees earned or description of life experience since leaving high school.

Policies

Please visit our Policies Page.

All previous debts to the West Coast Institute must be settled prior to admission.

Application Deadline

Application Deadline: May 15 before the training begins.

• Applications that are received after this date will be considered if there are still places available.

Meals & Accommodation

Summer Session

• In summer, housing is available in private homes in the community. Please email Carolyn at manager(at)westcoastinstitute.org for a list of available private homes with rooms for rent.
• During training sessions, meals are available on campus.
  (WCI Program Meals Form)
• All travel arrangements are to be made by students.
  (WCI Driving Directions, WCI Travel Directions)
• Students coming from outside Canada should check the status of their medical insurance.

Spring & Fall Sessions

• For accommodation options please consult e.g. www.airbnb.ca, www.hellobc.com, www.tourismcowichan.com, or any other accommodation search engine of your choice.
• During training sessions, meals are available on campus.
  (WCI Program Meals Form)
• All travel arrangements are to be made by students.
  (February/November Travel & Driving Directions, Vancouver Bus Map, North Vancouver Street Map)
• Students coming from outside Canada should check the status of their medical insurance.