The Future of the Open All-Day School in Focus

‘OGS Certificate Course Plus’ with a Waldorf education focus by Alanus University and Waldorf Seminar Dortmund.

On 21 September 2024, a new certificate course for the Open All-Day School (OGS) with a focus on Waldorf education began at Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences in Alfter near Bonn. The ‘OGS Certificate Course Plus’, a cooperation between the Degree Program ‘Childhood Education’ at Alanus University and Waldorf Seminar Dortmund, is aimed at committed educators and interested individuals who would like to prepare for the challenges of the OGS. For participants from OGS programmes at Waldorf schools, the certificate course is funded by the Federation of Independent Waldorf Schools and the Association of Waldorf Kindergartens.

With the legal entitlement to all-day education and care services for primary school children coming into force from August 2026, the importance of a high-quality OGS is becoming increasingly clear. The two-year course offers a platform for exchanging experiences and perspectives, bringing together participants with and without a background in Waldorf education.

The first seminars addressed key topics such as the image of the child and the ideal concept of an OGS. Participants worked on what children need for healthy development and which framework conditions are required for this. Additional modules at Waldorf Seminar Dortmund deepen the foundations of Waldorf education and provide practical support.

Through the exchange of knowledge and experience from different educational fields, not only is participants’ own practice reflected upon, but awareness of the social significance of the OGS is also strengthened. The course aims to support staff working in the OGS and to promote the quality of educational work – an important step for the future of education in Germany.

The next course begins on 20 September 2025; registrations and further information can be found here.

Contact for consultations: kindheitspaedagogik@alanus.edu

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