Early Childhood Certification Dates and Locations
Utah July 2023 - August 2024
Sorry, we're fully enrolled for this session!Highland, UT (near Salt Lake City) Tiffany Manoukian, Student Services Coordinator (520) 358-5380 tiffany.manoukian@me.com
SF Bay Area, August 2024 - June 2025
Applications will open on February 1, 2024Marin County, CA Marianne Alsop mariannea@lifewaysnorthamerica.org
Online Courses for Teachers and Caregivers
Welcome to LifeWays!
To introduce you to our innovative approach to care for young children, we invite you to jump into our FREE online course. "Welcome to LifeWays" includes videos and resources to help you deepen your home life and transform your work with children! Enjoy it on your own time, and at your own pace!
Opening the Gate with Anna Rainville
Opening the Gate: Songs and singing games to invite Nature into your family life with Anna Rainville
Next session November 30, 7-8:15 pm Central
When a caring adult accompanies a young child into the vitality of the natural world- whether it is easily accessible or not- seeds of wonder stir and sprout. Each discovery nourished by joyful attention and celebrated through song and movement, builds healthy relationships between the child, the parent, and the natural world.
Circle of Hands Year 2
An In-Depth Handwork Experience with Mindy Upton of Blue Sky Craft Studio
Once-monthly, September 2023 through May 2024
Join us for a “closed” Circle experience with colleagues from Year One; this second year circle will build upon established handwork skills. Mindy is providing a unique and wonderful opportunity for participants, bringing together handwork, music and story for a complete experience that can be used in your early childhood program immediately after completion! The year’s curriculum will include creating puppets, seasonal crafts and nature garden creatures that will enliven your growing repertoire. read more...
Circle of Hands
A Foundational Handwork Course with Mindy Upton of Blue Sky Craft Studio
Once-monthly, September 2023 through May 2024
Grab a cup of tea, your handwork basket, and gather online for this relaxing, once-monthly handwork circle. Nourish your soul while learning the foundational skills such as sewing, embroidery, needle felting and more through inspiring projects in a circle of camaraderie. Become more practiced at these simple skills while creating projects and learning new songs, verses, and stories that can be put to use in your program immediately! read more...
Home as the Model; Life as the Curriculum 2.0
Starts January 17th, 2024
Educating and caring for children is a task that reaches beyond understanding the child’s physical and intellectual needs. It requires us to think more broadly and deeply, taking into consideration their soul and spiritual development. It calls for us to consider ourselves as the environment from which they soak up the wisdom of the world as they grow. It inspires us to build a space in which they will thrive, and be prepared not only for intellectual learning but for all of life’s endeavors. read more...
LifeWays Early Childhood Fundamentals Course
Inspiration and Support for Working with Young Children
Congratulations! You have been hired to work in a Waldorf or LifeWays early childhood program that you have admired for some time. Or you now find yourself ready to open your own program. Perhaps you are a new assistant or extended care provider, a new co-teacher or regular substitute. Yet you have no training or background in the work. Or perhaps you have been out of the field for a while and could use a refresher. It may be that you are a new parent or grandparent and want to be more creative in your home and family life. We want to help you find the ground beneath your feet so that you can grow in confidence. read more...
Creating Home Away from Home: A Course for Home Childcare Providers
Ongoing - enroll any time!
This on-demand, at-your-own-pace, online course will help you open your own early childhood program at home providing relationship-based care steeped in LifeWays Principles. read more...
Additional Resources for Teachers and Caregivers

