How could I find a Waldorf in-home daycare or something similar?

[babygirlsmama]

So, here I have been plugging along with my darling daughter who is now 18 months old, we've been doing Waldorfy stuff at home, and have been doing parent/toddler classes at the Waldorf school.  I guess I didn't ever really piece together the whole school year/birthday thing until recently.  Anyway, I just figured out my daughter will be nearly 4 before she is eligible for any independent (drop-off) type of Waldorf class -- or at least that is the way it works in our area. (We're in Washington, D.C. now).

That is a long time from now -- I can't be the only mama wondering this -- are there any and/or how would I go about finding a waldorf in-home daycare?  Or a Waldorf parent/SAHM who would be up for something like that?  A good friend who herself was Waldorf educated says there were lots of in home waldorf daycares where she grew up, but there don't seem to be any here -- or maybe I don't know where to look.

Ideas?

Thanks,

Babygirlsmama

[Evandy]

Have you tried checking with the school? I was wondering the same thing, but as I have gotten involved in the community at my daughter's school, I have learned about three different Waldorf-inspired in-home preschool/playgroup/daycares nearby. Just a heads-up, though, none of them near me are full-time, if you are planning on using this in place of day care. They are more like 10-20 hours a week. And they have age limits. One doesn't take any younger than two years old. I don't know if this is typical of all Waldorf in-home situations or just the ones near me.

[UnderTheOldOakTree]

PMing you!

[babygirlsmama]

Good point -- once I spend more time around the school I will probably get plugged into ideas.  I don't need it for a baby younger than two, and I wouldn't need it fulltime,and it isn't even an urgent need at the moment.  It just seems like until age 4 (which is 2 1/2 more years for us) is a very long time to keep my daughter at home without any other kind of structure or stimulation.  I'd like to say I can give her everything she needs, but I'm just not that kind of mama.  (For example, I love the idea of homeschooling, but I would just end up in my pajamas all day goofing off!).

Babygirlsmama

[aiyasmama]

I would also recommend checking with the local waldorf school, and asking around in any local alternative parenting networks.  I run a waldorf-inspired preschool in my home so I am on the opposite end of things...how do I find local parents who want waldorf-inspired care?  :)

I would also just suggest looking into any local play-based preschool and visiting to get a feel for it, and asking around about home nurseries (home-based waldorf-inspired preschool).

ETA: Oh, and maybe check with Eileen of Little Acorn Learning?

Edited by aiyasmama - 5/27/11 at 12:10pm

[sunnysky]

Hello,

i know it has been a couple of months since the last post in the thread, but I was hoping if you have had any lick finding an in-home waldorf day care in the area. We recently moved to the DC area (we are in Silver Spring actually). I have a son who will be in first grade at the Washington Waldorf School this fall and i also have a baby turning one in a few days. I am looking for something for the baby - maybe three days a week. And i have having a hard time finding anything. 

I would really appreciate any information at all! Please let me know if you know of a place that would be warm, loving and waldorf:-)

thank you!