Accueil Waldorf à la Ferme ASBL

opis organizacji

Our non-profit organization Accueil Waldorf à la ferme was created in 2015 as a kindergarden for 10 kids from 2,5 till 5 years old. We are situated on a farm and our pedagogical project is based on a constant contact with nature (vegetable garden and various species of animals). In this way, the Association has the privilege of offering a healthy way of living to the children, with the majority of the foods coming from the vegetable garden or of biological origin. Children are able to enjoy the outdoor space, and the interior spaces which include a sleeping room, a kitchen and a space where children let their imagination run free. Here children take their first steps towards the outside world.

We are recognized by the National Office for Childhood (ONE). We organize regularly international conferences about pedagogical topics. In 2016-2017, for the first time, we had 1 volunteer from The Friends of Waldorf Education, a hosting organization based in Germany. We want to work with international young people because we find it important for the children to be in contact with other cultures. Our project is based on Waldorf pedagogy, which wants to wake up in the child, the spontaneous will to learn, the spirit of investigation and a disposition for creative activity. We place a special emphasis on the integral development of the individual, particularly in his intellectual, artistic and social capacities, valuing the rhythm and the contact with nature. Our regular activities with children also include painting, form drawing, music, handicrafts (with natural materials) and art. It is a pedagogy capable of responding to today's educational challenges by UNESCO and contribute for social inclusion by welcoming children from low-income families. Tasks and responsibilities are distributed, in communication, commitment and organization, in order to create a healthy space for children.

The Administrative Board is elected by the General Assembly of the Association, which can be members of the Association parents, teachers and friends. The board in accordance with the Association's statutes, have the legal power to act on behalf of the association.

A Pedagogical Council consists of teachers and farmers in contact with children and has the freedom and responsibility to guide the pedagogical mission. The Pedagogical Council has the pedagogical duty and responsibility to make decisions about the activities, and as a work team, it has full autonomy to develop its pedagogical work according to the best interest of the child. This means cultivating a continuous process of self-training and evaluation.

The Parents' Council should be an active and participatory organ in the life of the school, being made up of parents who are in the present academic year and who apply for this function. It is a facilitator of the practical and functional life of the school, taking care in partnership with the Board and teachers of the entire school environment.

Furthermore, the Association collaborates with the local community throughout the year by participating with initiatives in local events such as markets (Christmas markets, Spring markets, etc.), promoting workshops and activities for all the children of the local community.

Our pedagogical work is based on the educational principles expressed by the International Association for Early Childhood Education Steiner / Waldorf (IASWECE). Therefore, our regular activities include:
- welcoming with loving interest and acceptance each child into our kindergarden
- promoting of opportunities for playing, initiated with simple materials, as an essential activity for the child's development;
- preparing the kindergarden spaces and environment in order to offer limits, structure and protection, as well as the possibility of risks and challenges for children;
- encouraging the children's healthy development of imagination and creativity through activities such as short stories, music, drawing, painting, modeling;
- promoting useful and meaningful activities for the children, such as cooking, gardening, sewing, carpentry, as these provide opportunities to experience complete processes and not just parts;
- making of toys and equipment, in collaboration with parents, friends and with the kindergarten educators and employees (the construction of the toy in a cooperative way is part of the kindergarten experience);
- celebration of festivities, aimed at experiencing constant rhythms throughout the day, week and year, promoting security and a sense of inter-relationship with nature, culture and community;
- organization and participation in events aimed at staff' self-development, skills improvement, in collaboration with partner organizations;
- staff meetings for monitoring, sharing and reporting on children's progresses and kindergarden's dynamics.