LifeWays North America was founded by Cynthia Aldinger and draws upon her many years of experience as a Waldorf kindergarten teacher, mother and grandmother.  Although Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Waldorf education, did not suggest a specific curriculum for early childhood, he gave numerous lectures on child development that included deep insight regarding the child from birth to seven.  Waldorf kindergartens continue to be some of the most creative, play-oriented, nature-based and child-friendly kindergartens in the world.

While attending an international Waldorf kindergarten conference in 1995, Cynthia was approached by a friend with his concern that the current approach to child care was not really preparing children for practical, daily life or supporting them in developmentally appropriate ways. During that conference, Cynthia also encountered the inspiring work of Helle Heckman, a Danish Waldorf early childhood pioneer who was developing innovative new approaches to child care.

Inspired by these encounters,  Cynthia began to develop a vision for Steiner-inspired child care that would be based on the routine activities and natural rhythms of healthy home life, bathed in the warmth of secure relationships and family-style mixed ages, and made to feel as non-institutional as possible.  This first written vision evolved over time into the current Principles and Practices of LifeWays^® Childcare.

Cynthia was also deeply moved by the work of Bernadette Raichle in New Zealand, whose early childhood center, Awhina, filled her with wonder and delight. In addition to bringing new inspiration and ideas to the LifeWays work, observing at Awhina affirmed how homelike, simple living serves all the fundamental needs of young children and their caregivers.   It was intriguing to consider having children for longer than the morning kindergarten, allowing an expanded flow of the day with more time outside, a family-style meal in the middle of the day, a good sleep after lunch, and the practical, nurturing and creative activities of family-life throughout.  It was equally exciting to see infant and toddler care as part of the mixed-age approach.

With support from her friend and colleague, Rena Osmer, and the blessing of their colleagues Gudrun Davy, Bons Voors, Patti Smith, Signe Schaefer, and Lee Sturgeon-Day,and with the organizing support of Lori Barian and other Wisconsin friends, the first LifeWays Center was opened in Wisconsin in September 1998. It was the pilot child care project for children three months to six years old and also hosted the first LifeWays^® training.

Our national organization, LifeWays North America, formed a few years later as a multiservice organization providing consulting and training for family child care providers, childcare centers, parent-child teachers, home-based preschool teachers, after-school care providers, and parents.  Our progressive approach to caregiving, teaching and  homemaking is supported by a growing body of research acknowledging simplicity and practical, nurturing activities as fundamental to the health and well-being of children.  There are now LifeWays^® child care centers, home childcare programs, and parent-child programs throughout North America. LifeWays^® trainings and workshops are also available now in several locations, as described in this website.

LifeWays Milwaukee’s founder, Mary O’Connell

When her own children were young, Mary had a LifeWays home program with such a long waiting list that she decided a LifeWays center was necessary.  In 2002, she opened LifeWays Early Childhood Center in Milwaukee where she served as director for 13 years.

Mary has a business degree from University of Wisconsin-Madison and was a student in the very first LifeWays training. She has served as lead teacher and Training Coordinator for LifeWays North America and Board President. In 2010 co-authored Home Away From Home: LifeWays Care of Children and Families with Cynthia Aldinger.  Mary currently provides her expertise to child care providers throughout the region through the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association.

Mary’s favorite thing about LifeWays is seeing both children and their caregivers thrive in a home-like environment that truly values and respects them.