Introduction/specifics

Our Kastanienbaum crèche is located in the centre of Bensheim. The pedestrian zone is within walking distance and is often used for walks, exploration tours and shopping. The crèche has existed since 2013 as the first facility under the sponsorship of the "Familienzentrum Bensheim eV". We look after 22 children, under 3 years old, in two groups.  

Rooms

• 2 group rooms
• 1 kitchen
• 1 office / parents' meeting room
• 1 children's bath
• corridor (which is also used for movement and encounters)

Daily Schedule

The day begins with the opening of the facility at 7:30 a.m.

The drop-off time for the children ends at 8:30 a.m., so that the beginning of the morning circle can be used to start the day together. The specialists prepare sometimes recurring rituals, songs, finger games or project content. The morning circle is also used for the participation of the children. For example, they can wish for games or songs or participate in the daily planning with ideas and wishes.

After the morning circle, breakfast takes place. We provide water and/or unsweetened tea; fruits and vegetables; Bread with or without butter, cream cheese, cheese and yoghurt with or without muesli.

Afterwards we take time for free play, excursions, exercise offers, creative offers but also project work or cross-group activities.

Lunch starts at 11:15 a.m.

Afterwards, all children are changed for bedtime and undressed or changed. This starts at about 12:00 p.m. An employee is always with the sleeping children in the group room.

At about 1:30 p.m., the children of the "Module 1" stipulated in the contract will be woken up.

The pick-up time at 13:45 ends at 14:00 (Module 1). The specialists provide feedback on the day. It is important to us to pass on the interests, successes and/or insights of the children to the pick-ups.

After that, children with a "Module 2" contract will be woken up at the latest.

At about 2:30 p.m., a snack with water and/or unsweetened tea; Fruit and vegetables offered. Before and after this snack, there is a phase of free play. In addition, flexible pick-up by parents is possible during this time.

With the last pick-up time of 3:45 p.m., the day at the Kastanienbaum crèche ends at 4 p.m., with the closure of the facility.

Food

• The Sugar-Free Morning Concept
• Daily freshly prepared lunch by a caterer
• Snack in the afternoon

Basics

Our pedagogical goal is to support children in their unique environment, to offer them ways to self-development and at the same time to strengthen their personal value development.

We pursue a holistic pedagogical approach that is situation-oriented and takes into account the individual circumstances of the children. In our pedagogical work, we support the child on his or her way to independence and work co-constructively with a competence-oriented view. We support the development of the child by using the method "Marte Meo – On Your Own". This is done in close cooperation with them (the guardians) and promotes holistic development.

The rooms are designed in such a way that children are encouraged to explore the world independently. It is important to us to have an atmosphere that radiates appreciation and security, so that both children and adults feel comfortable.

In our crèche, children experience a daily routine that is structured by fixed times and recurring rituals and gives them security. It is important to us that children are involved in the design and planning of everyday life according to their age.

We see ourselves as companions and role models in this formative time. Our appreciative attitude accepts that people make mistakes and builds on them learning from them.

Our values

• We support families with expertise, time and professional sensitivity.
• In cooperation with families, we perceive different life situations and can respond to issues individually.
• By appreciating self-determined play, we accompany the children through all situations of everyday life.
• Empathy accompanies our everyday lives every day. In principle, it is important to us that all people in our facility behave respectfully and empathetically.
• We promote communicative skills to enable children to express their perceptions and feelings and encourage them to represent them.
• It is important to us to give every child a voice and to hear it. Regardless of the child's stage of development.

"The most important thing about communication is to hear what is not being said." Peter Ferdinand Drucker

• We take into account the individuality of each individual and encourage children to recognize their self-worth and act accordingly.
• In a family atmosphere, it is important to us that families feel welcome and that the children feel safe and secure.

Teamwork with parents

Our goal in the educational partnership is the well-being of the child and its optimal promotion, support and accompaniment of development. Together with the parents, we look at the child with a competence-oriented view.

Close cooperation is important to us so that you can accompany and understand the everyday life of the crèche and the development of your child. You will learn a lot about the processes within the crèche. We make this possible, among other things, through daily reviews, letters to parents, notices, exhibited work results of the children, parent meetings and the portfolio folder of each individual child.