Early Childhood
Welcome to the beginning of your family's journey with Orana Steiner School. A gentle foundation for lifelong learning for children aged 3 to 5 years.
Orana Steiner School's Early Childhood program provides a calm, nurturing and joyful environment where children develop confidence, independence and a genuine love of learning.
Guided by the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, each day follows a gentle and predictable rhythm that supports children's social, emotional, physical and cognitive development through imaginative play, movement, storytelling, practical experiences and meaningful relationships.
What Makes Early Childhood at Orana Unique?
- A calm, nurturing environment surrounded by mature trees, landscaped gardens and natural outdoor spaces
- Warm, homelike interiors featuring natural furnishings
- Wooden toys, handmade dolls, felt animals and natural treasures for imaginative play
- A gentle approach grounded in Steiner education that honours each child's stage of development
- A predictable daily rhythm of storytelling, songs, movement, practical activities and play
- Meaningful connections with nature through gardening, caring for chickens, and seasonal festivals
- Intentional teacher led guided activities such as painting, craft, music and puppetry
- Warm consistent relationships with educators
Child Care Subsidy (CCS) & Three-Year-Old Funding
Orana Steiner School is an approved participating provider for CCS & Three-year-old Funding.
Our Early Childhood program follows the school term and our daily rhythm. Additional time options are available through our Banksia Program for families who need longer days, or during school holidays.
Our Daily Rhythm
Each day follows a consistent structured rhythm, thoughtfully balancing “breathing in” moments of focused, teacher led activities with “breathing out” opportunities for deep imaginative play, movement and exploration.
This "freedom within form" helps children feel secure, build resilience and confidently engage with the world around them. The magic of our program lies in the thoughtful balance of nurturing relationships, a consistent rhythm, a carefully prepared environment, and the intentional guidance of experienced, caring educators.
Our Early Childhood rhythm includes:
- Arrival – Children are warmly welcomed by the teachers as they arrive and join the rhythm of the day.
- Morning Circle – A seasonal circle of song, verse and movement.
- Outdoor play in all seasons – experiencing the rhythms and changes of the natural world.
- Morning tea- A shared meal prepared and enjoyed together.
- Practical and Creative Work – Baking, gardening, painting and craft as part of the weekly rhythm.
- Shared Lunch – Children sit together to share a nourishing meal.
- Quiet Rest Time – Children rest quietly on their mats, creating a peaceful pause in the day for reflection and renewal.
- Closing circle & farewell- A gentle ending to the day before returning home.
Children are gently encouraged and supported to participate in the daily rhythm program. Children requiring a longer day are supported to transition into the Banksia Program (see more below).
Please note: Early Childhood is a screen-free environment.
We warmly invite families to visit our Early Childhood classrooms, meet our teachers and experience how learning unfolds through rhythm, play and purposeful activities.
Session Information
Age
Early Childhood is for children aged 3 to 5 years who are independently toileting.
While educators understand that occasional accidents may occur, children attending Early Childhood are expected to be independently toileting as part of their readiness for the program.
Pattern of Attendance
We have 3 options for attendance in the Early Childhood program:
- 5 Days | Monday to Friday
- 3 Days | Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
- 2 Days | Thursday & Friday
Early Childhood - Core Program
Available Monday to Friday
8:30am – 8:50am | Arrival and Transition Time
Children arrive between 8:30am and 9:50am, allowing time for a calm and unhurried transition into the program. At 9am the day begins, and children join the rhythm of the group, guided through program activities by their teachers.
9:00am – 3:00pm Program
Children arrive from 8:30am, ready to settle into the day's rhythm and participate fully in the Early Childhood program.
3pm – Collection time
School Holidays - Closed
For the long day option and school holiday option, please see the Banksia Program below.
Banksia Program – Optional Opt-In
The Banksia Program is an optional extension for Early Childhood families seeking greater flexibility, including longer days and care during school holiday periods.
We understand that families are often balancing many commitments, and flexibility can make a meaningful difference. The Banksia Program provides additional support when needed, while allowing children to remain in a familiar, nurturing environment that promotes continuity, connection and wellbeing
Option 1 - During School Term
Banksia Program Long Day
3pm - 5:30pm – Collection Time
For families seeking greater flexibility and a later pick-up, we offer a termly booking option to extend from the Early Childhood core program to a longer day.
Option 2 - During School Holidays
Banksia Program -8.30am - 4.30pm
8:30am – 8:50am | Arrival and Transition Time
Children arrive between 8:30am and 9:50am, allowing time for a calm and unhurried transition into the program. At 9am the day begins, and children join the rhythm of the group, guided through program activities by their teachers.
3pm - 4:30pm – Collection Time
We offer this program throughout all school holiday periods, except for a four-week closure during the Christmas holidays.
Early Childhood Curriculum
Read more on the Early Childhood Curriculum we follow via Steiner Education Australia
Food & Shared Meals
Families are asked to contribute one piece of fruit and one vegetable each day to our shared platter, providing a variety of fresh produce for all children to enjoy together.
The school provides nourishing main meals, including rice, pasta, freshly baked bread, millet bakes and vegetable soups. Meals are prepared with the children in their classrooms, creating opportunities for practical learning, shared responsibility and the joyful daily rhythm of preparing and enjoying food together.
Appropriate meal substitutes are available for children with allergies.
