A secure start for your child’s education

In Waldorf education, the Early Years Programs for children 5 and under are held very closely to facilitate the best opportunity for a young child to feel at home in their first  ‘away from home’ environment.

In Whistler, we offer both playschool and Kindergarten together in our Early Years programs to help foster a developmentally appropriate curriculum and environment. This principle is a foundational component of Waldorf education and is critical to maintain the health and well-being of a young child.

  •  Licensed group childcare is available for ages 30 months – 5 years old in Little Cedars @ Spruce Grove & the Early Years Centre @ Spring Creek.
  • Kindergarten, also known as the Briar Rose @ Spruce Grove, is available for children in September if they turn five years old in the same year.

Financial Assistance for Childcare:

WWS has been accepted into B.C.’s Child Care Fee Reduction Initiative (CCFRI), which may provide a reduction of up to $545 per month for group care for children aged 3 to kindergarten, and up to $900/month for group toddler care (under 36 months). Parents do not need to apply; fee reductions are applied to fees.

In addition, qualified families are also recommended to apply for the Affordable Childcare Benefit for more assistance (for Little Cedars & Early Years Centre participants only).

Playschool Programs

Early Years Centre @ Spring Creek 

Space is available for children 30 months – school age children. 

Days: 2, 3, 4 & 5 Day options available – Monday-Friday all year long (2 day min. ongoing registration required.)

Times: 8:00-4:00PM

Tuition/Fees: Starting from $70/day*; monthly rate is equal to min. 2 day/week total cost for approx. yearly rate of $600/month* (*as of June 2020).

Little Cedars @ Spruce Grove

Space is available for 30 months – school age children.

Days: 2, 3, 4 & 5 Day options available – Monday-Friday for September – June. 

(2 day min. ongoing registration required. Care is offered over the school year, but can be accommodated over summer months though Spring Creek.).

Times: 8:30-3:00PM (Mon-Thurs.) 8:30-12:30 (Fridays)

Tuition/Fees: Starting from approx. $4400/year* based on min. 2 day/week total cost (*as of June 2020).

Kindergarten Program

Briar Rose (Kindergarten) @ Spruce Grove

Applications are accepted year-round for Kindergarten enrolment. Children can start Kindergarten in September of the year they turn five years old.

Days:  Monday-Friday from September – June (as per school year).

Times: 8:30-3:05PM (Mon-Thurs.) 8:30-12:35 (Fridays)

Tuition/Fees: Please see current yearly fee schedule.

Pedagogy of the Early Years Programs

The licensed Whistler Waldorf Little Cedars (ages 30 months – 5 years) and Briar Rose (ages 5-6) programs are led by qualified Early Years professionals and educators. The program is developed with age-appropriate activities in mind, with an emotionally supportive and carefully structured environment to help children gain self-confidence and acquire a deep connection to all that life has to offer.

A  Waldorf Approach…

Waldorf education encourages a healthy and balance lifestyle for the child – plenty of sleep, a healthy diet, and a less is more approach to everyday scheduling. It also strongly recommends that young children don’t have access to screen time, through TV, computers, smart phones or games, allowing children freedom from powerful images that so easily invade self-created imaginations. Our Waldorf playschool provides a rare opportunity for your child to experience a space that is totally free of advertising and media: a space for them to truly be themselves.

Member of WECAN…

Welcome to WECAN, the Waldorf Early Childhood Association of North America. Their mission is to foster a new cultural impulse for the work with young child from pre-birth to age seven.

Whistler Waldorf follows the guiding principles of WECAN as do many Waldorf schools.

View WECAN for more specific details on childhood and education principles for the schooling of young children.

Registration For Early Years Programs

Whistler Waldorf School accepts applications on a rolling basis. Read more about our current rates and application process

We encourage you to apply at any point during the year and will be happy to consider your application. Registration is based on space availability and the school’s ability to meet the needs of your child. Our goal in the admissions process is to ensure there is a good fit for children and their families, in support of Whistler Waldorf’s Mission, Vision and Values.