Friedrich Froebel invented the term 'kindergarten'.
His legacy continues to inspire new generations of early childhood educators.
The Froebel Trust is a grant making charity (registered Charity No: 1145128). We publish our annual accounts detailing our charity's structure, activities, income and spending and these can be found on the Charity Commission for England and Wales website.
Our aim is to ensure that the Froebelian framework of principled education and care is recognised, understood, valued and practised across the early childhood sector for the benefit of young children in the UK and internationally.
The story of the Froebel Trust
2025
In 2025 the Froebel Trust is building on the Froebelian principles of unity, connectedness and valuing relationships. Just as relationships are of central importance in a child’s life, they can support educators' continued learning and development.
This year we are investing in networks to help Froebelian educators connect, network and continue their learning together. With the launch of the Froebel Trust Alumni Network, we are providing a new opportunity for Froebelian educators to connect with one another and continue their learning through a series of exclusive masterclasses. Anyone who has completed a Froebel Trust endorsed course is invited to become a member.
2024
In 2024 the Froebel Trust renewed its commitment to supporting and valuing the crucial work of educators in early years settings and schools. Froebel training gives educators purpose and a greater understanding of the importance of early childhood education. Our aim for 2024 and beyond is to motivate and empower more educators to work with and support young children. Take a look at our 2024 policy brief.
2023
Froebel believed that every person’s uniqueness made an important contribution and was an equally valuable part of the whole of humankind. He believed that we are all connected. At the Froebel Trust we strive for unity in our rich diversity.
Our vision for 2023 and beyond is for the Froebel Trust to be an inclusive organisation which is accessible to all. We recognise that to achieve this we must demonstrate equality, equity, diversity and inclusion in all that we do. Our charter explains our commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality and makes connections to Froebelian philosophy and principles.
2022
2022 marked ten years of our work as a grant making charity championing a Froebelian approach to early childhood education.
2021
A new Froebel Trust five year strategy is launched - designed to promote and advance Froebelian approaches to education and learning by:
- Enabling through grants
- Informing with training, resources and events
- Connecting through strong networks and collaborations
- Evidencing characteristics & benefits of Froebelian approaches
- Championing the strengths of children, families, educators & play
2012
The Froebel Trust is founded as a registered charity in England, emerging from The Incorporated Froebel Educational Institute, the beginnings of which had been established back in 1892. In 2013 The National Froebel Foundation closes and becomes part of the new Froebel Trust.
1977
The Froebel Archive for Childhood Studies (originally called the Early Childhood Collection) is established and offers a unique historical record of the Froebel movement in the UK. The Froebel Archive is now part of the Archives and Special Collections held in the University of Roehampton library.
1975
Froebel College federates with three other local colleges to become Roehampton Institute of Higher Education, and since 2004 has been an integral part of the University of Roehampton, which now holds the Froebel campus on a long lease from the Froebel Trust. The University of Roehampton continues to offer the Froebel Certificate in Early Childhood course and a postgraduate early childhood studies programme.
1940
Child Life, the Froebel Society journal which began in 1891, is re-named the National Froebel Foundation Bulletin. This later became known as the Froebel Journal and the final issue was published in 1974.
1938
The Froebel Society and National Froebel Union join together to form The National Froebel Foundation.
1892
The Froebel Educational Institute, an English teacher training college, opens in Colet Gardens, West Kensington, London. It is later known as Froebel College and moves to Roehampton, London in 1922.
1887
The National Froebel Union is created to set qualifications and standards for a new Froebel Teacher’s Certificate.
1874
The Froebel Society for the Promotion of the Kindergarten System is founded in England.
1861
Pedagogics of the Kindergarten: Ideas Concerning the Play and Playthings of the Child is published in Germany. The book is a collection of fifteen essays by Froebel on the education of young children.
1852
Froebel dies and the word kindergarten is included in the Oxford English Dictionary for the first time.
1851
The first kindergarten is opened by Bertha and Johannes Ronge in London and their influential book A Practical Guide to the English Kinder Garten (Children’s Garden) is published in 1854. Most of the first kindergartens were opened in London. Manchester was also an important centre with the first kindergarten opening in the city in 1857.
1837
Froebel opened the ‘Institute for the fostering of little children’ in Thuringia, Germany which he renamed Kindergarten in 1840. Kindergarten was a new word created by Froebel to express his vision for early childhood education.
1826
Froebel’s book The Education of Man is published. He argues that “the spontaneous play of the child discloses the future inner life of the man” and that “play at this stage is not trivial; it is highly serious and of deep significance”.
1782
Friedrich Wilhelm August Froebel is born in Thuringia, now a state in central Germany.
How to access The Froebel Archive
Based in the University of Roehampton’s library, the archive houses a collection of rare books, photographs and artefacts linked to Friedrich Froebel’s educational legacy and early childhood education. The archive welcomes visitors from around the world.
w: roehampton.ac.uk/colleges/froebel-college/froebel-archive
e: archives@roehampton.ac.uk
t: 020 8392 3323
I wanted to educate people to be free, to think, to take action for themselves.
