Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Education

Sunbridge Institute’s Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Education program provides a philosophical, artistic, and practical foundation for Waldorf early childhood teaching. This 25-month low-residency program—held primarily on-campus for three weeks in each of three summers and one week in each of two falls and springs—encompasses early childhood development from pre-birth to school entrance and explores diverse approaches to Waldorf early childhood education, from parent-child work to nursery and kindergarten teaching and extended care.

Directors and core faculty members Nancy Blanning and Leslie Burchell-Fox, MSEd ’96 are national and international leaders in the field of Waldorf early childhood education, bringing many years of practical Waldorf classroom experience and many years as adult educators to their Sunbridge teaching. We also regularly bring in adjunct and visiting faculty for further enrichment, providing you with a rich and comprehensive education.

In addition to coursework, mentoring, and advising support, we afford our students and graduates additional opportunities to further develop and hone your teaching expertise and acquire new insights and skills. These opportunities include:

• Highly-reduced discounts to our professional development courses and workshops while you are a student in our program, plus lesser discounts in the years beyond
• Returning to audit Early Childhood program classes free of charge once you have graduated
• Receiving 12 credits for your Sunbridge diploma toward earning a 30- or 36-credit, fully-accredited SUNY master of education or master of arts in liberal studies degree with self-designed concentration in Waldorf education, through our partnership with Empire State University of the State University of New York

First year, transfer, and Completion Track applications are now being accepted for June 2026 entrance. Regular application deadline is June 1. Financial aid, including our Diversity Fund Scholarships, is available.

Sunbridge is located on the campus of the historic Threefold Educational Foundation, in New York’s Hudson Valley.

Please visit our website or contact our admissions coordinator at info@sunbridge.edu / 845-425-0055 x20 for more information.