- +44 (0)1342 822238
- bookings@emerson.org.uk
Free Zoom Taster Sessions
If you are interested in the Holistic Baby and Childcare Training and would like the opportunity to meet our Course Leader, find out more about the course, ask questions and meet other potential participants, we will be holding the following FREE ZOOM TASTER sessions:
- Saturday 10th May at 10am GMT / 11am CET
- Saturday 12th July at 10am BST / 11am CET
- Saturday 9th August at 10am GMT / 11am CET
- Saturday 13th September at 10am GMT / 11am CET
If you would prefer a one-to-one discussion with a tutor prior to applying for the course, please contact the registrar.
This Level 3 Diploma is a “blended” course, with online teaching as well as residentials at Emerson College and face to face meetings at Rudolf Steiner House, London.
Important: because of its modular distance learning character, this course is now open to EU and NON-EU citizens. However, all applicants need to attend at least 80% of the full timetable and complete all the assignments to receive the Level 3 Diploma.
An intermediate level of English is required to attend the course.
Applicants applying from abroad can gain written approval from the course leader not to join the course for the day events at Rudolf Steiner House, but they will need to attend at least 80% of the full timetable to pass the course. Recordings and tutorials will provide necessary information. Your particular circumstances will be discussed with the registrar and course leader.
This birth to three training course is officially recognized by IASWECE (International Association for Steiner/Waldorf Early Childhood Education).
OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
TO APPLY:
Please click on the ‘APPLY NOW’ button, fill out the online application form and upload the required supporting documents.
You can view the entry requirements, supporting documents and application information at the bottom of this page or by clicking here.
If you have any pre-application questions please email Chiara Carones registrar@emerson.org.uk. Please note accommodation and meals are priced separately – details of how to book these will be available shortly.
An Introduction to the Baby and Child Care course
Join us on this groundbreaking blended course based on Steiner Waldorf with an introduction to the Pikler approach to child development, play and care with a birth to three emphasis.
This Holistic Baby and Child Care qualification synthesises Steiner Waldorf international Birth to Three training guidelines, an introduction to the Pikler approach, and the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements.
The course is led by Dorothy Marlen, a Steiner early childhood teacher and Pikler pedagogue. Sam Greshoff and additional core tutors are leading lights in the Steiner early childhood movement in the UK.
The qualification is full and relevant and is on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications*. The qualification has been designed to meet the requirements of the government’s criteria for Early Years Educator (Level 3) qualifications for carers of children from birth to five, released in July 2013, whilst uniquely offering a birth to three emphasis.
“I will always be grateful for this course which has nourished and inspired me more than I can say. I feel very well set up to follow my dreams. It has been a privilege to learn from and be so supported by each of the tutors. Thank you” – previous student
Who is it for?
The programme covers the development and care of children up to five years old, with an emphasis on the crucial first three years. It provides depth of understanding and a practical foundation for those wishing to work in Steiner settings and mainstream. The training provides a Level 3 Early Years Educator qualification for those wishing to care for children up to five years old in both Steiner and mainstream nurseries and kindergartens. The course also prepares parent and child group leaders, child-minders, play group leaders, parenting course leaders and carers of children up to three years old.
Students and tutors on the last residential 2022 wearing the story aprons students had made.
How is it different?
How is this training different from other Early Years trainings?
As well as fully meeting the criteria required by DfE standards for Early Years Educator qualifications, the training uniquely provides:
- An integrated and detailed understanding of the development and respectful care of children under three
- An in depth understanding of how to enable natural and full gross and fine motor development in the first three years
- An emphasis on the principles and practice of creating care environments that encourage play exploration from birth to five, as this is the way children predominantly learn
- Hands-on experience in practical and artistic skills, as well as singing, storytelling, simple puppetry, celebration of festivals and how to create a calm, imitation-rich environment
- “Home from home” and outdoor models of childcare
- A journey in self-development that will confer skills and confidence for caring for children, as well as supporting parents in parent and child groups, parent and baby groups and in other forms of parent support
“The Holistic Baby and Child Care course was like coming home for me. I found the knowledge, community and growth I had been yearning for – a guiding light towards my destiny path. I cannot recommend this course enough to anyone with a calling to work with new families, infants and young children in truly holistic way”. – previous student
If you are a childminder….
This training will provide you with confidence and practical skills to care for young children. There will be an emphasis on the care of children from birth to three. You will gain confidence to create “home from home” and outdoor settings which respect the young child’s need for warm relationships, a calm and rhythmical day and lots of play. It will give you tools for working with and supporting parents. You will gain an early years level 3 qualification.
“The Holistic Baby and Child Care course has been the core element of my personal, professional and spiritual development journey during the past two years. The guidance, support and inspiration has been abundant in its accessibility and the skills are invaluable in all areas of life. The range of topics covered considered the diverse needs, interests and purposes of all students and are delivered by extremely knowledgeable and experienced pedagogues”. – previous student
If you are a carer….
If you are a carer in a nursery or day-care setting or wish to develop your own a holistic child care setting
In mainstream nurseries and day-care settings this Level 3 qualification will provide the necessary training required to care for children from birth to five. The advantage of this qualification is that you will bring to your setting a coherent body of awareness and skills based on Steiner pedagogy and the Pikler approach which will enhance your professional work. We introduce several holistic models for childcare including the “home from home” approach from Lifeways North America, Helle Heckmann’s Nokken, and Awhina from New Zealand.
If you are a parent and child group leader…
As well as preparing you to work as a parent and child/baby group leader in Steiner and mainstream settings, the Level 3 qualification will give you the breadth and depth of skills and confidence to care for young children and support parents in Steiner and mainstream settings, if you so wish. We bring an understanding of pioneering parent and baby groups which have integrated the Pikler approach and outdoor groups.
“This course has been incredibly nourishing for me personally – introducing new skills and practice that I’ll take forward into what ever I do. It has also given a community of like-minded individuals, which I really cherish”. – previous student
What does the Holistic Baby and Child Care training include?
Caring for young children and supporting parents requires many skills – a thorough understanding of child development and respectful practical care; confidence in a variety of artistic, craft-making and home-making activities; observational and self-reflective abilities; a capacity for working sensitively with parents and other professionals, and a clear understanding of EYFS, effective child assessment and working with statutory requirements. The units will weave together to provide a firm foundation for continued personal and professional growth and development.
Themes covered include:
- An overview of Steiner Waldorf child development up to 21 years
- An in-depth introduction to Rudolf Steiner’s view of child development for the first seven years, with an emphasis on the first three years
- An in-depth introduction to the Pikler approach from Hungary, providing exemplary practical knowledge and skills for respectfully caring for children up to three and the natural unfolding of gross and fine motor skills
- Practical skills including how to plan for play, how to set up indoor and outdoor environments, storytelling, puppetry and activities of all kinds for different ages, especially the under 3’s.
- Comparative child development studies and contemporary educational issues
- Preparation for working with statutory legislation, regulations and inspections
- A journey of self-development, including how to be a good role model for children to imitate and how to deliver quality and respectful individual and group care in a variety of circumstances
- Observation and assessment skills
- Preparation for working with parents in parent and child and other situations
- Preparation for working as a childminder
“This course was really healing for me. A beautiful journey which I’m glad I had the courage to start. I have met wonderful people and learned a lot. I wish more and more people can take this journey and help spread kindness and love all over”. – previous student
- Programme
- Course fees
- Applications
- CPD & Certificates
Achievement and progression
Successful completion of the course and all assignments will lead to the Level 3 Diploma in Holistic Baby and Child Care (Early Years Educator) qualification, certified by Crossfields Institute. The qualification is full and relevant and is on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications.
Learners completing this qualification may proceed directly to work in an early years setting, for example in the role of an early years educator, adult and child group leader, or childminder and carer of children up to 5 years, in a Steiner Waldorf or mainstream setting.
Course Schedule
Below is the provisional timetable where during term time there will be online teaching sessions with meetings on Wednesdays 19:00 – 21:00 and Saturdays 15:00 – 17:00. Key dates are as follows:
27 September 2025 – course starts at Steiner House London (9-5pm)
29 Nov- 27 Jan 2026
28 March – 2 May 2026
11 July- 12 Sept 2026
28 Nov- 9 Jan 2026
1 March – course finishes
*N.B. Students applying from abroad can choose not to join the course for the day events at Rudolf Steiner House but will need to attend at least one of the residentials at Emerson College. Recordings and tutorials will provide necessary information.
Video Recordings & the Emerson College Online Portal
Online lessons are an important part of the course and require live attendance. If, in certain circumstances, a student cannot attend an online lesson, the tutor can authorise absence and a video recording of the lesson can be made available to them via the Emerson Portal. Recordings will also be made available to all the attendees to refer to after the lessons to support the required assignments.
The course fee is £3,600. This includes the course registration with Crossfields Institute, the Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship and the Association of Steiner Waldorf Teachers and Educators. (ASWTE).
Payment can be made in full at the beginning of the course or paid in installments with a £100 admin fee.
Bursaries are available from Emerson College. For the bursary form, please contact Chiara Carones, registrar@emerson.org.uk
Grants for tuition fees are available from the Rudolf Steiner Association. A Grant request can be sent only after having been accepted into the course. For full info, please contact Chiara Carones, registrar@emerson.org.uk
Interest free loans for tuition fees are available from the Godparents Anthroposophical Training Fund. For full info, please contact Chiara Carones, registrar@emerson.org.uk
How To Apply
To apply, please contact the registrar
You will need to fill out the online application form and upload the documents listed below.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
To complete your application you will need to have the following documents ready:
- A personal statement explaining what has brought you to the course, why you want to do it and your hopes when you have completed the course. Indicate what you think might be challenging for you in completing the course.
- A copy or a scan of the information page of your passport (the one with your picture on it)
- A completed health statement available to download here: Health Statement
- 2 referee letters. Template available to download here. A referee can be someone who has known you in a professional capacity. One reference can also be from someone who has known you in a non-professional capacity for more than 5 years.
- 1 Photo
- Current DBS Check (if you already have one)
You will also need to provide contact details for someone you would chose to be your emergency contact, should you be accepted onto the course.
If you have any questions please contact Chiara Carones – registrar@emerson.org.uk.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Once your application has been received, you will be invited for an interview with the Course Leader, Dorothy Marlen, as a final step in the application process.
The interview provides both you and the Course Leader the opportunity to explore the course content, requirements and your motivations for attending. It will also give you a space for any questions you might have.
Entry Requirements/Recommendations
Students must be 18 years of age or over and must be able to provide evidence of pervious study at level 2 (or equivalent) or have equivalent work experience. Applicants for whom English is not their first language must be able to demonstrate sufficient spoken and written English skills to meet the demands of this qualification.
Both the Level 3 EYE qualification and the Quality mark certificate involve a placement in an early years learning environment.
A minimum of 100 hours Professional Placement in a holistic early years setting is required during the course for the Level 3 and the Quality Mark certificate. Sam Greshoff is the tutor who will help students find suitable placements and guide them through the process of undertaking the placement hours.sbgreshoff@gmail.com
It is expected that applicants applying for this course will have a genuine interest in the care, education and welfare of children, and a willingness to create and sustain respectful and supportive relationships with children and their parents. Additionally, students should be willing to enter a journey of self-discovery and self-development, learning new skills and becoming active members of a supportive adult-learning community. They will need to be open to becoming self-directed learners, able to think and act independently and with integrity, and to develop depth of empathy with, and care of, young children.