1st year Primary Teaching Foundation – Modules
For teachers, educators, and homeschool providers of children aged 7–14
Developed for working educators, the modular Primary Teaching Foundation (PTF) program offers the flexibility of a hybrid learning format. Participants may enrol in individual modules or complete the full program progressively, allowing them to undertake their Steiner Primary Teaching Foundation training at a pace that suits their professional and personal commitments.
The PTF program provides an inspiring introduction to the core principles of Steiner education through a balanced combination of theoretical, practical, and creative modules. It offers a well-rounded foundation in Rudolf Steiner’s approach to teaching and learning, with the developing child at the heart of the curriculum.
The program is designed to equip participants with the understanding and skills needed to begin teaching in a Steiner/Waldorf school, or to make a meaningful transition from mainstream education.
Upon completing the PTF course, participants will be eligible to progress into the second-year Certificate course, which will deepen their studies and enable them to complete the full Steiner Primary Teacher Training, recognised by Steiner Education Australia and aligned with the Pedagogical Section standards for Steiner teachers.
Module 1 begins 18 February 2026.
The following overview describes the individual modular PTF program. If you wish to enrol in the one-year PTF program, please see the Primary Teaching Foundation course page HERE.
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Module 1: Online only Human Being, Human BecomingAn introduction to anthroposophy and Rudolf Steiner’s insights into human development
Course Duration:Â 6 months, one lecture per week in terms 1 and 2 Delivery: 13 online lectures | 1.5 hours each Total Course Hours:
Dates: 18 Feb – 25 Mar, and May 13 – 24 June Time: Presented on Wednesday evenings from 7pm – 8.30pm (AET) Module Fee: $1,050 (incl GST)*
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Module 2: In-Person only Primary Autumn SeminarPractical and creative workshops and presentations. The seminars provide in-depth learning across music, visual arts, speech and drama, and movement.
Delivery: In-person | 5 days Dates: 15 – 19 April 2026 | Venue to be confirmed Course Fee: $890.00 (incl. GST)* – includes all materials and delicious catering
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Module 3: Online only Child DevelopmentUnderstanding child developmental phases and how children learn.
Course Duration:Â 6 weeks Delivery: Online. 6 webinars, one webinar per week, 1.5 hours each Total Course Hours:
Dates: 22 July – 26 August 2026 | Wednesday evenings from 7pm – 8.30pm (AET) Course Fee: $500.00 (incl. GST)* Dates: 22 July – 26 August
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Module 4: In-person only Primary Spring SeminarPractical and creative workshops and presentations. The seminars provide in-depth learning across music, visual arts, speech and drama, and movement. Delivery: In-person | 5 days Dates: 28 Sep – 2 Oct 2026 | Venue to be confirmed Course Fee: $890.00 (incl. GST)* – includes all materials and delicious catering
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Module 5: Online only The Role of the Class TeacherCurriculum design for meaningful and developmentally appropriate content
Course Duration:Â 8 weeks Delivery: Online | 8 webinars, one webinar per week, 1.5 hours each Total Course Hours:
Dates: 21 Oct – 25 Nov 2026 | Wednesday evenings from 7pm – 8.30pm (AET) Course Fee: $550.00 (incl. GST)*
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Module 6: Online and self-paced The Art of Blackboard DrawingMastering the essential art of blackboard drawing for lesson presentation in the Steiner classroom.
Duration: 6 hours self-paced online learning Delivery: Online recordings with self-paced creative exercises Course Fee:Â $260 incl. GST* Dates: Available from March to September 2026
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Module 7: Online and self-paced Life Phases: Holistic Biography WorkInner development of the teacher through transformative biography work
Course Duration:Â Self-paced assignments from March to September Delivery: Three 2-hour online sessions, with self-paced assignments Total Course Hours:
Dates: From March to Sept 2026 (online session dates to be confirmed) Course Fee:Â $260.00 (incl. GST)*
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*Please note that no refunds or cancellations are available for short courses/modules
Group discounts are available for schools registering 5 or more educators. To learn more, please contact the course coordinator.
Outcomes
To complete the Foundation Course and receive a Statement of Completion, students will need to have successfully completed all webinars, module study, tasks and seminars.
Successful completion of the full first-year Foundation Course for Primary Teaching (PTF) will enable the student to progress to the second-year Certificate course. Completion of both the first and second year program for Primary Teaching will equip the student with the required Steiner/Waldorf qualification for teaching in a Steiner/Waldorf primary/elementary school setting, aligned with Pedagogical Section standards for Steiner teachers, and recognised by Steiner Education Australia.
Please be aware that while a previous teaching qualification is not required for enrolment in this course, an Australian tertiary qualification is required for teaching professionally at any level of education in Australia.
Why study at Sydney Rudolf Steiner College?
Our courses are well-established and guided by a staff of highly experienced and respected tutors. We offer flexibility in our delivery, the opportunity to engage with the content and receive a thorough grounding in the foundations of Rudolf Steiner education. The student also has the opportunity to meet others who will support their journey and work in a class environment of like-minded people. In addition, our programs support the transition from mainstream into Steiner education. Our rigorous courses are recognised both in Australia (SEA and SECA) and internationally (IASWECE).
Career Path and Employment
There are excellent employment prospects for Steiner-trained teachers who have completed our Primary Teaching Foundation and Certificate Courses. There is an ever-increasing demand for qualified Steiner/ Waldorf teachers as Steiner Education continues to expand in Australia and throughout the world. At present, there are over 40 Steiner Schools (including State schools with Steiner Streams) in Australia requiring on average 2 or more new Steiner Teachers each year. There are currently over 1,100 Steiner schools worldwide in 64 different countries and nearly 2,000 Early Years settings in more than 70 countries.
All our courses are endorsed by Steiner Education Australia (SEA).
Testimonials
“I found the course content and delivery to be incredibly well structured, relevant and simply beautiful! My expectations were far exceeded and I am even more glad to have started this journey of bringing Steiner education to the world through my own values and passion.” – PTF Student, 2023
“The course content and delivery brought Rudolf Steiner’s work and Steiner education so beautifully alive for me. Every lecture felt nourishing and met with me on every level so as to enrich me, grow me, inspire me and fill me with love.” – PTF Student, 2023
The seminar has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for me. Over and above the content and lectures it has been a joy to connect with the other students doing the course. The connections we have made will carry us forward feeling so much more supported and enriched. – PTF Student, 2023
“The content was rich, inspiring and practical. There was so much deep wisdom, experience and passion expressed to us by our incredible teachers. The delivery was honest and engaging, making it a joy to listen to, understand and integrate.” – PTF Student, 2023
“The course content was extensive and very beautifully articulated by all the lecturers. There was much passion in creating the curriculum, as it really covered everything a new Waldorf teacher would require. Delivery was executed in a way a Waldorf child would be taught. This allowed me to see how it should be brought about to a child.” – PTF Student, 2023
“I am deeply grateful for all the efforts, energy and love that was behind the organisation of the course.” – PTF Student, 2022
“The lecturers were warm and provided so much wisdom. They and the content they were delivering was engaging and able to be applied to work and personal life.
I feel I grew both as a person as well as building on my anthroposophy knowledge within the PTF course.” – PTF Student, 2022
“I was honestly impressed with the calibre of the teachers. These courses were very much hands-on and I came away with many new and exciting resources to take back to the classroom. I feel enriched and inspired. I learnt techniques that were fresh and exciting along with a new delivery approach for my students. Thank you for your dedication to give us such an enlivened experience.” – PTF Student, 2021
Course Information
Course Code:Â PTF
Course Duration: Part-time, self-paced
Delivery: Online modules are offered through weekly 1.5-hour webinars. Additionally, there are two in-person modules held in the Autumn and Spring as 5-day immersive seminars.
Seminar Venue: Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School – 121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag 2068 (TBC)
Course Coordinator:Â Doris Antivilo
Contact and Enquiries
