Introduction/specifics

Since the first years of life lay crucial foundations for further educational and personal development, we see it as our responsibility to create an environment in which children can develop positively, at their own pace, and according to their individual strengths.

A key prerequisite for this is accepting the individuality of each child with all their talents and abilities and creating a structured environment where they can express their creativity and individuality. In this way, we offer the child a safe and loving setting and support them in discovering their strengths, being curious, exploring their environment, and learning. The child's well-being is the central compass on this developmental path.

To develop and strengthen self-confidence, self-efficacy, and independence, children need loving care, mindful language and communication on equal terms, security, opportunities to participate in decisions within their capabilities, adaptable structures and boundaries, a sense of belonging and security, support, and guidance.

In addition, they also need opportunities to explore their limits and grow through challenges. It is particularly important to model a positive and constructive approach to mistakes and failures and to help them learn potential solutions. Our central task is to accompany and support the children in this process.

Our special features at a glance:

• Semi-open children's center for greater participation and self-determination of children

• Regular exploration of the children's living environment

• Structured preschool and pre-course German language programs

• Various experiential and educational spaces (art studio, workbench, gymnasium, learning workshop, music and story room)

• Needs-based pedagogy

• Multi-skilled team

Rooms

It is important to us to create a welcoming atmosphere so that our children, parents, and staff feel comfortable and at ease. A key aspect of this is making our work and the time we spend with the children transparent for everyone. For example, current notices in the entrance area provide parents with important information, and throughout the hallway, the groups have the opportunity to display all of the children's artwork, both large and small, on "talking walls." Photo walls illustrate learning processes, such as those of the preschool children. The spacious hallway is also a popular play area for the children.

Each kindergarten group has a group room of approximately 50 square meters, which incorporates various activity areas, such as a building corner, a doll corner, and an art table. The play area in each kindergarten group is further expanded by a gallery (approximately 25 square meters), which also offers different themed areas.

Independent learning spaces complement our group rooms. This allows children to use a variety of learning spaces during open play time. Whether they go to the gym for gymnastics and play, create artwork in the art studio, test their manual skills at the workbench, explore letters and numbers in the learning workshop, or prefer to participate in the music and story room – numerous opportunities for development are available. We also use these additional rooms for supplementary programs such as our pre-German language course and our preschool program.

The nursery area includes a lovingly furnished group room (approx. 40 m²) and a spacious anteroom (our sunny oasis) which also incorporates the cloakroom (approx. 40 m²). Here, our nursery children have space to romp around, ride their toy cars, and also to paint and do crafts. A separate sleeping room (approx. 20 m²) is available for naps, and for daily hygiene, there is a children's bathroom with a changing table (approx. 10 m²) and two child-friendly toilets.

Outdoor Facilities

For outdoor activities, we offer the children a large garden for playing, running, football, and more. Two climbing frames, a nest swing, a small wooden playhouse, a large sandbox, a balance beam, and a large slide encourage the children to move and be active. In addition, the children can ride various vehicles in the garden.Our mature trees provide shade in the summer and create piles of leaves that the children love to play in.

The toddlers have their own small garden with age-appropriate play equipment and vehicles. Furthermore, a terrace with a large parasol is accessible from our sun terrace, which is especially inviting in the summer for snacks, playing, and splashing around.

Daily Schedule

The children enjoy the experience of being part of a group every day, being able to help shape the daily routine, and also having space for self-directed activities. They want to be independent and cultivate friendships, but also experience the security and comfort within the group. Therefore, our daily routine includes a fixed structure, rituals, and transitions that the children can use for orientation, but also enough time for them to freely choose with whom and where they want to spend their time. The structured daily routine provides the children with security and a reliable framework. In addition, it is important to us to continually offer children new activities and opportunities to explore. Therefore, our daily routine is structured as follows:

Daily Routine Nursery:

7:00 to 8:00 a.m.: Early morning care for all children (including nursery children) with free play

From 8:00 a.m.: Nursery group opens

From 8:30 a.m.: Drop-off time ends; educational activities begin with free play

9:00 to 9:30 a.m.: Snack time

9:30 to 11:00 a.m.: Educational activities with free play Approximately

until 11:45 a.m.: Lunch

12:00 to 12:15 p.m.: Closing circle; pick-up time until

12:30 p.m. for children who do not nap

12:30 to 1:45 p.m.: Nap time

From 2:00 p.m.: Pick-up time begins; garden and indoor free play time

At 3:00 p.m.: Nursery closes (On Fridays, we close at 2:30 p.m.)

Daily Routine at Kindergarten:

7:00 to 8:00 a.m.: Early morning care for all children (including toddlers) with free play

From 8:00 a.m.: All groups open

From 8:30 a.m.: Drop-off time ends; free play and initial educational activities in the adjoining rooms (first opening of the kindergarten for all children)

9:00 to 9:30 a.m.: Morning circle

9:30 to 10:00 a.m.: Snack time

10:00 to 11:30 a.m.: Kindergarten reopens for all children Approx.

11:45 a.m.: Lunch

From 12:30 p.m.: Pick-up time begins, garden and indoor free play time

At 4:00 p.m.: Kindergarten closes (on Fridays, we close at 2:30 p.m.)

Food

Our groups have a mid-morning snack together. A healthy and balanced diet is important for good development. Therefore, we ask parents to pack a suitable snack for their children. Children are also welcome to bring muesli from home. Drinks (water and tea) are freely available to the children throughout the day.

In addition, as part of the European School Fruit Scheme, we regularly receive deliveries of fruit and vegetables, as well as milk and yogurt, from the mobile vegetable delivery service. Whether as a crudité platter, muesli, or fruit salad, the children enjoy it.

At lunchtime, parents have the option of registering their child for lunch. Our daycare center receives its meals from the local retirement home. Children who are not registered for lunch can eat their snack.