The Ballybay Kindergarten & Monaghan Waldorf School is an independent and non-denominational school that has been founded by a group of parents living throughout County Monaghan and beyond, who have come together with a shared passion for Waldorf education. This is an incredible opportunity not only for our own children but for others in the area who wish to explore this type of education.

We first found each other in early 2022, through a poster calling out for parents interested in seeking Waldorf education for their children. Since then, united by great passion and commitment, we formed friendships, established a playgroup, and built a strong community. And then, after much discussion, hard work and engagement, we were delighted to welcome our first students in September 2024 to begin learning at the farmhouse in the Ballybay Wetlands Centre. As group, we ourselves continue to learn throughout this process, and we look to the future and hope to have a thriving Waldorf school in coming years. Our plans for the upcoming school year are to lease the main building at the wonderful Wetlands Centre, and to have 22 kindergarten (ECCE pre-school) children, with approximately 15 to 20 primary school children enrolled from our bridge classes (junior and senior infants) through to classes one, two and three (first, second and third class equivalent) for the upcoming school year.

We are drawn to the location of the Ballybay Wetlands Centre for various reasons and feel a true connection with this space and the ethos of our school. We feel that bringing education back to the heart of the Wetlands Centre is a wonderful initiative, and also a much needed resource for the local community where places for childcare are limited.