Let Us Answer Your Questions
We’ve gathered answers to the questions families most often ask, to make your journey with Marinela Holistic Education clearer and simpler. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, we warmly invite you to reach out and we’ll be glad to guide you.
Fees
For up-to-date information about our tuition fees, please visit our Fees section on the website.
A completed enrolment contract and deposit indicate that you have accepted your offer of enrolment, and the deposit is NOT refundable under any circumstances. The deposit is due upon the signing of the contract to reserve a spot. A deposit of half of one term’s fees is required upon acceptance of a place. The deposit will (may) be applied toward the last term’s tuition at the school’s discretion, and we kindly ask for one full term’s notice should enrolment be cancelled. The deposit will continue to ‘roll forward’ each year the child remains with the school.
Curriculum & Extra Activities
- A progressive curriculum for modern children: The Marinela Curriculum is a progressive approach that meets the needs of today’s children.
- Inspired by Rudolf Steiner: Our curriculum is strongly but not solely based on the teachings and insights of Rudolf Steiner, who pioneered Waldorf Education over 100 years ago. We are guided by his understanding of child development and his emphasis on nurturing practical skills, imagination, and truth, while striving for academic excellence.
- Developmentally informed learning: All traditional academic subjects are covered throughout the schooling years, but the timing and content taught in each grade differ from other curricula. This is informed by our understanding of child development and the specific learning needs at each stage.
- Formal learning begins in the grades: Kindergarten is a sacred space where we do not rush academic learning. Direct instruction in reading, writing and number begins in Grade 1.
- Main Lesson topics: Each topic is studied in depth for 3 to 4 weeks.
- Immersive, arts-rich teaching: Subjects are taught in an immersive way, brought to life through the Arts to enhance learning and deepen connection.
- No textbooks, hands-on learning: Learners create their own Main Lesson books, which demonstrate their understanding of topics and serve as their personalized textbooks.
- An integrated, holistic curriculum: We teach a hands-on, integrated curriculum that is developmentally appropriate and grounded in artistic and practical work, creating an environment where children develop intellectual curiosity, social sensitivity, and physical stamina.
- Mixed-age classrooms: In our mixed-age grade classrooms, we select common topics that appeal to the developmental range of the children while differentiating work tasks to individualize academic skill development and ensure progress for all.
- Whole-child education: Marinela learning views children as whole beings, balancing physical development, academics, social and emotional abilities, and wellbeing.
- A safe and inclusive environment: We provide a nurturing learning space rich in natural aesthetics, where the interests and strengths of all learners are honoured and encouraged through artistically expressed practical life skills.
Waldorf education is a global movement with over 100 years of history and more than 1,200 schools worldwide. But it’s not just an educational method—it’s a philosophy of human development that honours the whole child: head, heart, and hands.
At its core, Waldorf recognises that children grow through distinct developmental stages. Rather than rushing academics or relying on screens, it nurtures imagination, curiosity, and a deep connection to the world—through stories, movement, artistic expression, nature, and hands-on experiences.
In the early years, learning happens through imitation and play. In the grades, it grows into creative inquiry, strong thinking skills, and moral imagination. Every subject—maths, science, language, music—is taught in a way that connects deeply to the child’s inner life.
Waldorf schools prioritise rhythm, beauty, and human connection. Classrooms are calm and natural. Teachers stay with the same group for multiple years, forming deep bonds. Festivals and seasonal rhythms give a sense of belonging. And rather than standardised testing, progress is measured through observation, personal growth, and each child’s unfolding journey.
It’s an education for life, not just exams.To understand more, we invite you to watch these two wonderful introductions:
Sarah Baldwin: What is Waldorf Education – Waldorf in a Nutshell
Betty Staley: Understanding Waldorf
- Waldorf schools are in more than 90 countries worldwide and are currently spreading across Asia.
- A Waldorf curriculum is holistic and delivers learning through the hands, heart and head.
- The children experience learning through play, creative arts, storytelling, movement and practical activities.
- A warm, home-like environment: The kindergarten is designed to feel comforting and nurturing, with natural materials, soft colors, and a calm atmosphere that supports a sense of security and belonging.
- Creative, open-ended play: Children engage in imaginative play with simple, natural toys, fostering creativity, problem-solving skills, and social interaction.
- Daily rhythm and routines: A predictable structure with activities like storytelling, singing, baking, and outdoor play provides a sense of stability while supporting healthy development.
- Connection with nature: Plenty of time is spent outdoors, exploring the seasons, gardening, or playing in natural settings, encouraging a strong bond with the natural world.
- Learning through imitation: Teachers model meaningful activities—such as cooking or crafting—that children naturally join in, building life skills and a sense of contribution.
- A focus on wonder and imagination: Stories, songs, and seasonal celebrations are woven into the day, inspiring a sense of joy, wonder, and connection to the world around them.
We include the following activities in our curriculum to build responsibility and deepen understanding:
- Drawing and painting.
- Gardening on site – growing and caring for plants and nature activities.
- Cooking and food preparation – both traditional and international.
- Drama and recitation.
- Movement – learning through doing, cooperative games, dance, swimming, martial arts, tennis and paddle.
- Handwork – felting, sewing, weaving, knitting and crocheting.
- Crafts – beeswax modelling, clay and pottery, whittling and woodwork.
- Singing and Music – recorder, ukulele, lyre, percussion.
- Projects.
- Our 15 acre site enables us to make daily excursions into nature, including to tend to our animals, pick fruit, tend to the garden and play!
- There are lots of other local learning opportunities that our learners can participate in so we will organise relevant field trips as appropriate.
- Risk assessments are completed prior to any local visit and families are informed prior to the visit taking place.
- All families sign a general consent form for their child(ren) to participate in local learning visits whilst they are enrolled as a learner at Marinela.
- Sports and games are included in our Marinela curriculum.
- Mindful movement and group games take place each week.
- Grades classes have weekly swimming classes in our naturally filtered swimming pool (Our pool is purified using ultraviolet rays and high-performance filters, ensuring safe and pleasant swimming).
- We have additional specialists offering karate and tennis sessions for children.
- Music and singing are an integral part of our Marinela curriculum and are not confined to a single subject; both are integrated into lessons, transitions, and seasonal celebrations, creating rhythm and harmony in the child’s day.
- Grades children learn to play a musical instrument such as the pentatonic flute, recorder, ukulele or lyre.
- Research proves that learning to play a musical instrument enhances verbal memory, hand-eye coordination, spatial reasoning and literacy skills.
- Similar to playing sports, children develop motor skills when playing an instrument, developing both sides of their brain whilst at the same time building focus and patience and nurturing creativity.
- Music is important for wellbeing and we have a dedicated music room here at Marinela to inspire and invite self-expression.
Language
All of our instruction at Marinela is in English, in the future, we may offer an additional language in our grades classes.
Yes, all of our lead teachers are mother-tongue English speakers from Canada, the USA or the UK.
General Information
- School begins at 08:00 am with early drop off available for an additional fee.
- School ends at 2:30 pm for our full-time Kindergarten and Elementary Class, with an optional early pick up at 1 pm for the Kindergarten children.
- The half–day option is available for younger children in our Toddler programme (pickup at 12 or 12:30 pm, depending on whether lunch is selected).
- Families are expected to collect their child(ren) within 10 minutes of school ending.
- Not for our grades classes.
- Our Marinela curriculum is an integrated learning programme, and learners are expected to join all lessons throughout the day.
- The half–day option is available for younger children in our Toddler programme (pickup at 12 or 12:30 pm, depending on whether lunch is selected).
Currently we have three learning groups:
- Toddler: 3 – 4 Years
- Kindergarten: 4 – 6 Years
- Elementary / Grades 1 – 6: 6 – 12 Years
Our intention is to grow with our oldest students and provide provision until the end of grade 8 (14 years).
- No, we undertake observations and informal assessments to identify ‘school readiness’ so that children begin formal learning at a time that is right for them and conducive to a lifelong love of learning.
- All along, we ask, how is a child’s foundation developing, and what can we further do to support the child in strengthening his or her foundation?
- No child enters the Grades before they turn six and some children are not ready until they are seven.
- Together with parents, we will discuss if we believe that the child would be better served with some more time in Kindergarten.
- Maximum of 10 children in each of our early childhood groups.
- Maximum of 15 children in our Grades classes.
- Yes, we serve healthy plant-based snacks and lunches.
- Our school menu is thoughtfully crafted to reflect our commitment to health, sustainability, and community.
- Through a variety of different vegan dishes, we aim to cultivate healthy eating habits and a lifelong preference for nourishing food.
- Our lunch menu is cooked on campus, with children involved in growing and harvesting from our school gardens.
- All learners are provided with a morning snack; they are often involved in preparing this themselves.
- No, but maybe we can connect you with other members of our Marinela community so that you can explore sharing drop-off and collection responsibilities.
Marinela is located on the west side of Barbados. For further information about enrolment, please contact us at info@MarinelaEducation.com
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