Question 1

1. What is an alternate school?

Accepted Answer

An alternate school taps into the unique potential of every child. The teachers are aware of the overall development of a child and focus on experiential learning for the child. The teacher progresses the child on a curriculum based on the child’s readiness. Open-ended thinking and creativity are valued over reproducing textual answers. Arts and sports are encouraged almost as much as academics. There are many types of alternate schools and Waldorf is one such child-centric type of school.

Question 2

2. What is Waldorf education?

Accepted Answer

The first Waldorf school was started by a German philosopher, Rudolph Steiner in 1919. His educational philosophy has been famously quoted that “The heart of the Waldorf method is that education is an art - it must speak to the child's experience. To educate the whole child, his heart and his will must be reached, as well as the mind.” He designed a curriculum responsive to the developmental phases in childhood and nurturing of children's imaginations. Waldorf education aims to bring forth—in every child—his or her unique potential in a way that serves the further development of humanity. It has gained popularity globally, as the philosophy can be molded to fit any country's culture.The first Waldorf school was started by a German philosopher, Rudolph Steiner in 1919. His educational philosophy has been famously quoted that “The heart of the Waldorf method is that education is an art - it must speak to the child's experience. To educate the whole child, his heart and his will must be reached, as well as the mind.” He designed a curriculum responsive to the developmental phases in childhood and nurturing of children's imaginations. Waldorf education aims to bring forth—in every child—his or her unique potential in a way that serves the further development of humanity. It has gained popularity globally, as the philosophy can be molded to fit any country's culture.

Question 3

3. How is Chiguru Waldorf Kindergarten different?

Accepted Answer

Chiguru Waldorf Kindergarten is a Kindergarten recognized by Saadhana Indian Waldorf Kindergartens Association. 
All our teachers are trained at International Waldorf standards set by IASWECE. 
We take pride in our farm-based campus where children get to see the entire food cycle journey from seed to fruit/vegetable to cooked food to compost.
We believe in educating the whole child through head, heart, and hands in a developmentally appropriate way. 
Our curriculum is based on nature's rhythms and does not present any abstract concepts to children. 
Our pedagogy is localised to suit the Indian context. 
We strive to live the values we want our children to learn. You will find us composting, cooking, cleaning, singing, moving artistically, painting, and caring for nature. We don't let children shy away from real-life experiences as we believe that these experiences provide valuable life skills.
Free play is at the heart of our pedagogy. The faculties of curiosity and imagination developed during early childhood years translate into creativity and thoughtfulness in the later adult years.
We support parents through our weekly parent engagement programs. Our programs enable them to consciously enjoy their parenting journey.You can edit the title from the Settings tab in the app. 
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Question 4

4. What are some of the benefits of early Waldorf education?

Accepted Answer

We have seen several benefits, including with our own children who are now adept at keeping themselves occupied, are socially very active and can connect with people better. If children only have a background in instructed learning, then they will need, at all times, somebody to entertain them. When children are given freedom within boundaries, children can find their own creative, purposeful ways of doing things. They become independent thinkers and community builders.

Question 5

5.What is the admission process at Chiguru Waldorf Kindergarten?

Accepted Answer

We invite parents to our open day which is the first step in our admission process. The open days are announced on our website regularly.  We then conduct one-to-one interviews with parents. Parents who clear the above processes are given a registration form to be filled out and to be returned in a week’s time. Parents must then pay 50% of the tuition fee to block their seats.

P.S: As seats are limited, we serve parents on a first come first serve basis

Question 6

6. What does the day at Chiguru Waldorf Kindergarten look like?

Accepted Answer

Children at Chiguru have a daily rhythm, a weekly rhythm, a monthly rhythm, and an annual rhythm. These rhythms form the core theme at Chiguru on any given day.

The day starts at 9:00am with teachers and children assembling for a prayer time. Teachers and children work on a biodynamic farm daily. Children get to explore free play in the outdoor space too. We then gather to eat fruits and nourish ourselves. We come together for circle time to move and sing artistically which is based on nature’s rhythms.  We then find ourselves immersed in free indoor play and rejuvenate with a wholesome nutritious lunch soon after. Finally, we eagerly wait for our day’s story that keeps us fully engaged. At 1:30pm the children are ready to be picked up.

Question 7

7. How are parents involved at Chiguru?

Accepted Answer

Parents have weekly parent circles in which they gather to read and discuss various topics that are of interest concerning children. These discussions are led by psychologists, doctors, and expert teachers. 
Parents are given two reports in the academic year by teachers who mindfully observe the child and record a detailed list of academic, social, behavioural, artistic, and other holistic aspects of the child over the course of time.
Parents take turns in making lunch for school so that the children are served wholesome nutritious home-cooked meals prepared with love.
Parents also participate actively in school festival celebrations to keep the spirit of the community alive.

Question 8

8. What is the teacher-student ratio at Chiguru Waldorf Kindergarten?

Accepted Answer

The current teacher-student ratio is 1:5

Question 9

9. What age group does Chiguru Waldorf Kindergarten cater to?

Accepted Answer

We cater to children between 2yrs to 6yrs

Question 10

10. What school options are there after Chiguru Waldorf Kindergarten? Is it possible to shift to a conventional school?

Accepted Answer

After completion of the program at Chiguru Waldorf Kindergarten, children are ready to go to any school. Children are resilient and adapt easily to all environments, and with even a basic foundation in a Waldorf school, children only stand to gain in the long run.

Question 11

11. Why does Chiguru Waldorf Kindergarten discourage screens for children?  How will they adapt to the world if we keep technology away from them?

Accepted Answer

Between the ages of birth to 7yrs, we know that organs are developing in the child, synapses are forming in the brain, neurological development is getting strengthened, and at the consciousness level, too, children are growing and adapting. This is why we discourage screen time so it does not interfere with the natural growth of the human body, or impinge on the child’s memory-enhancing capacity of imagination. Waldorf believes education should fundamentally maintain good health. And by giving them a richer, more wholesome environment for development, we are actually preparing the child to better meet the world of tomorrow. We work with parents to help them set a home rhythm that excludes screens so that children are nurtured consciously and healthily.

Question 12

12. How are birthdays celebrated?

Accepted Answer

Birthdays are very special occasions. We celebrate to help parents and children to embrace the day and be in tune with nature and her gifts. We have rituals that symbolically help children to be one with the outer world and the inner self.

Question 13

13. How are festivals celebrated?

Accepted Answer

Waldorf’s philosophy involves a deeper exploration of the outer world and the inner self. Owing to the philosophy teachers meditate on the occasion and come up with ideas to celebrate festivals meaningfully capturing the essence.

You can have a look at our Facebook and Instagram pages to find glimpses of events and celebrations.

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