Introduction/specifics

WE ARE TEDDY BEARS

Our facility was founded in 1999 and has continuously evolved. It is a facility that was founded by a parents' initiative, where the children entrusted to us are cared for from the age of infants through kindergarten to the age of school readiness.

Our facility is manageable due to two buildings. There are never more than two groups in the premises at the same time, which allows us to provide intensive care.

We see it as our task to strengthen the children's competencies so that they grow into independent, self-sufficient, and community-oriented individuals. We want to help children develop self-confidence. Through our individual support, the child should be empowered to shape themselves through their own strength, become independent, and gain insights.

We value children as individuals and recognize each one with all their questions, statements, feelings, strengths, weaknesses, quirks, and fears. Alongside the personal development of each child, social education is also an important aspect for us.

We want to offer the children diverse opportunities and conditions to develop positively. Every child has their own unique way of exploring and understanding the world.

Care Times Kindergarten (Morning)
Regular care time: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Special opening time: Early from 7:30 AM / Late until 2:00 PM

Care Times Infant Care (Morning)
Regular care time: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Special opening time: Early from 7:30 AM / Late until 2:00 PM

Care Times Infant Care (Full Day)
Regular care time: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Special opening time: Early from 7:30 AM

Rooms

Our nursery has two large, bright rooms with direct access to the outdoor area. In the group rooms, there are many opportunities for movement on different levels, allowing the children to follow their natural urge to move. Of course, there is also a corner where the children can calm down. Each group room has its own washing area. One of the rooms features a mud play area for physical activities. In the sleep rooms, each child has their own bed, allowing them to enjoy their well-deserved and individual rest.

The kindergarten also has two group rooms: one for 25 children and the other for 10 children. In these rooms, you'll find everything children aged 3 to 6 years need. From role-play areas to creative corners and construction zones, everything is provided to stimulate their imagination and development.

Feel free to be convinced by the pictures.

Outdoor Facilities

Our facility has two playground areas. The lower playground is designed for the nursery children. It offers a manageable space where the little ones can explore their surroundings. The nursery playground is connected to the larger playground for the kindergarten children via a staircase. All children can jointly use a paved area between the two playgrounds to, for example, ride vehicles or play hopping games. Some impressions of our outdoor area can be seen in the pictures.

Daily Schedule

07:30 AM to 08:00 AM - Early Care

08:00 AM to 08:30 AM - Drop-off Time

08:00 AM to 08:45 AM - Free Play

08:45 AM to 09:00 AM - Morning Circle, followed by a communal breakfast

09:30 AM to 12:00 PM - Free Play Indoors and Outdoors, as well as Project Work and Individual Activities

12:00 PM to 02:00 PM - Free Play and Extended Opening Hours

02:00 PM to 04:00 PM - (Full-day Group) Free Play

Food

The shared breakfast in each group is one of the most important parts of the day. It is important to us to begin the day with a communal breakfast right after the drop-off phase. This gives educators and children the opportunity to reflect on the previous day and start the morning in a calm and relaxed atmosphere. The children bring their own food for this meal.

At lunchtime, the children gather in our cozy children's café, where they are served warm, child-friendly meals that are delivered fresh.

Basics

In our facility, several educational approaches are integrated. Primarily, we work with a situational approach in everyday life. This is supported by our everyday-integrated language education. The focus is always on the individual development of each child, taking into account intercultural influences.

Additionally, we are part of the state initiative "Language Kindergartens" (Sprachkitas). The role of the multipliers is to provide consultation and support to the daycare team, assist with everyday-integrated language education, and collaborate with parents.

Employee

Currently, there are 13 employees working at our facility.

We have one employee who works as a multiplier in the state language program.

Two employees have completed further training in early childhood language development.

Kindergarten Teddybär has been awarded the HIT certificate. This means that all staff members pay attention to the children’s language development in an everyday-integrated way. New employees are also regularly trained in the Heidelberg Interaction Training.

A major strength of our team is its intercultural composition. This enables us to bridge language barriers in several languages.

Projects

During the kindergarten year, we at Kindergarten Teddybär carry out a variety of different projects. Several times a year, we hold what we call "Forest Weeks," during which we take the children on excursions to the nearby woods.

Starting in March, we begin the "SchuWiDu" project (short for "Schulkind wirst du!" – "You're becoming a schoolchild!") for our preschoolers. This project introduces them to school life in a playful and engaging way.

During the winter months, our facility welcomes a Christmas elf, who accompanies the children through this time with little "pranks" and themed projects.

Additionally, during the Christmas season, we visit the St. Elisabeth House, a retirement and nursing home, together with the kindergarten children. Beforehand, we bake cookies, do crafts, and create a festive Christmas greeting poster.

In January, there is also the toy-free time, where it is about teaching children to occupy themselves without toys and to appreciate the value of toys.