Introduction/specifics

We are the St. Josef Kindergarten in Murg. In our facility, 22 children are cared for in each of two groups. The 44 children are aged 3-6 years and are lovingly supported and accompanied by six educators. We work according to the partially open concept. With this concept, we want to strengthen the children's joy of discovery and independence. We offer them a secure base for their individual personality through the caregivers and the core groups. Due to our central location, we can experience various excursions and trips with the children.

Rooms

Our facility offers the children two group rooms with different, interest-related learning and play areas. In our learning-oriented group rooms, the children have the opportunity to develop freely and individually. 
Our multifunctional room offers space for various activities, such as our movement activities, making music together or targeted stimulation. 
In our small but excellent bistro (kitchen), the children have their daily breakfast together. Here, the children are served a fresh, colorful plate of fruit, water and tea. In a cozy atmosphere, the children have enough time to eat and linger in peace. 
Home economics activities also take place here after breakfast. 
Our outdoor play area is a very large and important space for us and especially for the children. There is plenty of space here for exercise, play and fun.

Outdoor Facilities

There is plenty of room for movement in our spacious outdoor area. Our large old trees offer plenty of shade to stay outside even on hot summer days. On the hard court, the children have the opportunity to drive vehicles and play other games. The large meadow also offers space for this. 
In the summer months, children can experiment and splash around in the water area. Of course, our outdoor play area offers a large playground with various play equipment, such as a nest swing, slide, climbing frame, ground trampoline and sandpit. 
The outdoor area is used a lot by the children and us.

Daily Schedule

Drop-off time 7:30 to 09:00
In the first hour of drop-off time, the children arrive together in a group and are greeted personally. 
The children then go to their home group with their teachers. 

Breakfast in the bistro 07:30 - 10:30
Together with a teacher, the children are free to choose when they want to eat their breakfast during this time. A fruit plate, tea or water is available to them

09:00 to 09:30 Morning circle
With welcome rituals, illustrated calendar with daily routine, songs and games. 

Activities depending on the day of the week 09:30
During this time, the children have access to targeted and/or open activities, they can play freely, change group rooms or use the corridor as a play area. 

1st pick-up time is from 12:15 to 12:30
Children who do not stay in the kindergarten for lunch can be picked up during this time. 

Lunch 12:30 to 13:15
Lunch from a second snack box that the children have brought with them. Before this, the children wash their hands and we say a prayer together. 

 2nd pick-up time 13:30 to 14:00
Well fortified after lunch, the children still have time for free play. Now the kindergarten day is coming to an end. The children and parents are bid farewell in person.

Basics

• Children have their own personality, rights and dignity. We respect and protect their uniqueness.
• We work in regular groups, although the children are allowed to change groups as required after the morning circle.
• The children are acclimatized according to the Berlin acclimatization model. This is individually adapted to the child so that they feel comfortable and accepted.
• Once a week, the children meet in mixed-age groups so that they can receive more targeted support.
• The conditions under which the children eat have an effect on their eating behavior, which is why they can go to our bistro as required to eat together with other children.
• Free play plays an important role in the child's development. Children decide for themselves where they play, who they play with, how long they play and what they play. In this way, the children develop their identity and personality.
• To enable children to discover the world with all their senses, we use activity tubs in our educational work, as they promote self-determined learning.
• Language development is an important part of our educational work. This takes place in groups with our language support specialist and in everyday life. Language learning is based on the child's environment, needs and interests.

Employee

Our team consists of six educational specialists. Working together as a team is our top priority. This allows everyone to contribute their personal strengths and pedagogical skills in order to meet the needs of the children and promote holistic development. 

Kindergarten management: Glenda Naso
Deputy head: Yasemin Beinke
Specialists: Kerstin Semmler, Stefanie Wehrle, Johanna Kahne, Maria Oddo

Additional Offerings

Activities that accompany us throughout the week (SBS, ISF+, EU school program)

SBS (singing, moving and speaking -> LAKRA funded):
An external specialist from the Bad Säckingen music school visits us every Tuesday. Language is taught and promoted in a playful and musical way in two groups of nine children. 

ISF+ (Intensive language support -> LAKRA funded):
An in-house specialist offers language support three days a week. The twelve permanently registered children go to a separate room with the specialist. 
With playful and creative activities in small groups, the children's access to language is facilitated and encouraged. 

EU school program: 
For more fruit and vegetables in everyday life. Deliveries are made twice a month by a regional supplier (Obsthof Meyer, Dossenbach). The freshly cut fruit and vegetables are available to the children in the kindergarten.

Teamwork with school

Our oldest children (5-6 years) are playfully prepared for school in their last year of kindergarten with additional activities, such as the Polar Bear Club and cooperation with Murg elementary school. 
The cooperation takes place in the kindergarten and at school. This also enables preschoolers from other kindergartens in Murg to get to know each other. Visits to the school give the children an initial insight into the school. 
This close and good cooperation enables the children and their parents to make a positive start to a new phase in their lives.

Teamwork with parents

We see parents as the most important caregivers for their children. When the child starts kindergarten, parents and educational staff are jointly responsible for the best possible development and support of the child. This is why close cooperation and open and honest interaction between parents and kindergarten is important. Through the kindergarten app (Stay Informed), we offer parents transparency in our educational work. Through parent-teacher conferences, parents' evenings and celebrations, there is a regular exchange of ideas and encounters at eye level.

Projects

Various festivals and celebrations accompany us throughout our kindergarten year.
 
Traditional festivals:
- Thanksgiving
- St. Martin's Day 
- St. Nicholas
- Advent and Christmas 
- Carnival
- Easter 
- Mother's Day/Father's Day

Additional festivities:
- Summer party
- Preschooler farewell party 

All our celebrations are planned and prepared jointly by the teachers, parents and children.