At the Oak WISP, our approach to education aligns with Waldorf/Steiner education and the Forest School movement.

Far from any noisy road or hustle & bustle, The Oak is nestled in the tranquil, green jungle, in a quiet village in Kamala.

This truly special natural environment is grounding for children, and nourishing for the senses. Amidst countless butterflies, rich plant & animal life, and the river’s constant song, mother nature provides a perfect setting for inspired learning.

We are open from Monday to Friday, 8:45 to 15:00.

Waldorf Steiner

Educating the whole child - head, heart and hands - is the philosophy of the Oak Education Center which is based on Rudolf Steiner's pedagogy. Our child care centre focuses on meaningful learning experiences in a nurturing, caring environment where children feel safe and loved. Our aim responds to the child holistic view as it carefully fosters and protects the physical, emotional, social and spiritual nature of each child.

We invite you to explore the Waldorf/Steiner Center School.

ABOUT US

In the very real environment of the jungle, we find that relationships grow genuine and strong. So too does our interest in learning – experiencing the wonders of nature helps us to feel how the world is made with wisdom, greater than ourselves, fostering motivation for learning, growing, and for life.

“If we do not believe within ourselves this deeply rooted feeling that there is something higher than ourselves, we shall never find the strength to evolve into something higher.” - Rudolf Steiner.

At the Oak WISP, we try to nurture a sense of reverence through meaningful learning activities, festivals, and by giving each other and our environment due interest and care.

Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) was an Austrian philosopher, writer, literary critic, social reformer, educationist and much more. He founded many movements and his work spanned spheres such as education, special needs, art, medicine, agriculture, eurythmy (a movement art) and architecture.

According to Steiner, education is about supporting the development of the whole child as it passes through different phases of childhood.

In Waldorf education, the child’s capacities for thinking, feeling and using the “will” are addressed as a whole. Learning is approached through the head, heart and hands – we see the human being as a unity, and do not address the intellect in isolation. For this reason, ideas are brought to life through painting, drawing, poetry, singing, stories, drama, movement, handwork/craft and real-life experience. We aim to provide children with opportunities to connect with what they are learning in a meaningful way, discover, think creatively, and arrive at their own understanding.

At school, the children also do gardening, cooking, cleaning, making fires and other practical activities. They learn to persevere, work together, collaborate, communicate and find themselves as individuals within a group.

We are a community and a family, and the heart of our home is the kitchen, where we all gather together at mealtimes to enjoy a delicious, organic meal, made by our talented chef, Susu. The walls are open to the fresh air and views of the trees, and many activities take place here too.

Our classrooms are Thai-style stilted bungalows, made from wood and other natural materials. Many learning activities also happen outside, and the painting area overlooks the river.

A jungle walk to a nearby waterfall provides a refreshing end to our week on most Friday afternoons, where children and teachers can splash in pools of cool water.

Occasionally the children are taken on outings, visiting interesting places in Phuket, and every now and then we have school at the beach (a quiet beach) – a day that causes much anticipation and excitement!