Introduction/specifics

To create a feel-good place for our children, they need space to be active, to pursue their own needs and interests, to organize their own time, and to actively participate. As a team, we have opted for a partially open work environment because it offers a compromise between the conditions for positive development mentioned above and the previously familiar, fixed structures of the group, which provide orientation and security. For us, partially open work means starting afternoon care together in a group, and from 2:00 p.m. onwards, the theme rooms are open to all groups. In this context, open after-school care means that the children can freely decide with whom, where, and what they want to play. The fixed structures of the group are suspended during this time, and the group rooms become theme rooms from which the children can choose. This allows children of different ages who are interested in the topics to meet in one area. Through this interest, they learn from the joy of what they are doing, and experiences of success build their self-confidence. This builds the confidence to participate in solving new and challenging tasks. The children benefit equally from all the teachers and are provided with a wide range of development and learning opportunities. If a teacher is absent, the children are not split up but can remain in their chosen playgroups.

Rooms

The rooms were designed according to the children's needs and the given circumstances. All rooms are used equally and jointly by the elementary school and the after-school care center. The all-day rooms were designed by the after-school care center as functional spaces. These are thematically decorated to create a variety of play and learning opportunities. The large atrium creates a bright and open atmosphere throughout the entrance and hallway areas. The floors are accessible via stairs. If necessary, there is the option of using the elevator. Ground Floor Slipper Wardrobe In our slipper wardrobe, each child has a compartment for changing their shoes. Early and Late After-School Care Room Before school starts, all children are cared for here across all groups. It offers various themed areas, such as the construction area, the role-playing area, and the library for board games. This room also houses a kitchen with a work area at child height, so the children also have the opportunity to cook and bake under supervision.

Reception

From 2:00 p.m. onwards, the reception serves as our communication hub during open-plan work. At this central point of contact, a teacher has access to lists of children with their names and important information (such as authorized pick-up persons, homecoming times, etc.), their class schedules, their chosen all-day programs, and extracurricular activities. Behind the reception is our magnetic wall, where children can attach their magnets to the room they are currently in. The teacher at the reception supports all authorized pick-up persons in locating their children, is available to answer the phone, and supervises the hallway area.

Library

In our library, children can relax and immerse themselves in fantastic fantasy worlds. The many comfortable seating areas invite you to linger.

Music Room

Here, children have the opportunity to play music and perform theater together. A movable wall leading to the dining room can also accommodate small performances.

Dining Room

In our spacious dining room, the children eat their lunch, snacks, and, during the holidays, breakfast. Tea and water are also available throughout the day.

Discovery Zone

This room offers children a variety of opportunities for experimentation and research. Whether it's magnetism, electricity, or color theory, children can explore phenomena according to their own interests or participate in activities offered by the staff.

Creative Room

The school's workshop transforms into our creative area in the afternoon. In this area, children can work independently with the available materials and participate in activities offered by the teachers.

Movement Room

In this area, children can participate in various movement activities, dance, or create and complete their own movement course. Daycare Social Work As part of the "Strengthening Children 2.0" project, the educational specialist supports children with special needs.

Building and Construction

Here, children can create their most imaginative structures and constructions using a variety of building blocks and materials.

Club Room

In this room, children will find a foosball table, a pool table, and an air hockey game. They invite them to play together and interact.

Playroom

This room contains an extensive collection of card and board games for the children to enjoy.

Snoezel Room

This room, with its simple colors and comfortable cushions, offers the opportunity for a variety of sensory experiences. These include games with light and shadow, calming light stimuli, sound or guided imagery, massages, yoga, etc. The Snoezel Room is a place for relaxation and focusing on one's own perception.

Dual-Use Classroom

The dual-use rooms are used as classrooms in the morning and as after-school care rooms in the afternoon. To ensure this is possible, these rooms feature furniture on wheels. These allow the room to be modified according to requirements and thus create a learning or relaxed atmosphere that meets the needs of the children.

Outdoor Facilities

Our spacious outdoor area offers a variety of spaces for movement and interaction. The so-called Hippodrome (horse racing track) is inspired by the song "Hopp, hopp, hopp, Pferdchen lauf Galopp" (Hopp, hopp, hopp, Pferdchen lauf Galopp) by the composer and namesake of the elementary school, Magister Hering. In addition to the extensive circular path, it offers several obstacles where children can playfully test their skills. Whether on two, three, or four wheels... the numerous different vehicles, combined with the circular path, offer diverse movement experiences and lots of fun. Our children also benefit from a specially designed climbing frame, a sandbox, a soccer field, the school garden, a children's kitchen, and a pergola that invites them to linger. Our outdoor area is rounded out by our numerous different outdoor play materials, which are freely available to the children.

Daily Schedule

6:00 a.m. – 7:30 a.m.

• Early Afterschool Care
  • The teacher welcomes the children in the early and late afterschool care rooms.
  • Admission to school begins at 7:30 a.m.

From 11:20 a.m.

• Transition from school to afterschool care
  • The primary caregiver welcomes the children in their classroom.
  • A brief handover takes place between the teacher and the teacher.
• Free Play
  • Depending on the end of classes and the set mealtime, there will be a free play period before lunch.
• Lunch
• Free Play

From 1:00 p.m.

• Homework

From 2:00 p.m.

• Open Work

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

• Early Afterschool Care
  • Cross-group free play for all children, depending on the weather, either outside or in the early and late afterschool care rooms.

Wednesday = Group Afternoon

On our homework-free day, we accommodate the children's request for a group afternoon. The children in a group plan this day together with their primary caregiver. This strengthens a sense of belonging, creates opportunities for intensive communication, and encourages the children to participate in planning activities, projects, and excursions for their own group.

Holidays

While the daily routine at the after-school care center is limited to the afternoon during school term, we have the entire day during the holidays to organize excursions, offer more time-intensive activities, and enjoy spending free time together.

Set times during the holidays:

• 8:00 a.m.: Breakfast together
• 9:00 a.m.: Activities
• 11:30 a.m.: Lunch

These times may change for longer excursions. All necessary information about the times, planned activities, and what to bring can be found in the current holiday schedule.

Food

Lunch at the facility is provided by the DLS company. A private contract exists between the legal guardians and the catering provider, which is contracted by the Oschatz city administration. Ordering meals is the responsibility of the legal guardians. In the event of illness, on days the facility is closed, or on field trips/school trips, the legal guardians must notify the catering provider of the meals. Lunch is 80% freshly cooked on site and then served to the children as a buffet. In addition to the main items ordered, the children can now top their plates with their desired side dishes. The children bring breakfast and snacks from home. They eat their snacks independently during the afternoon. This allows the children to pay attention to and meet their individual needs. During the school holidays, we have breakfast together at 8:00 a.m.

Basics

Mission Statement

"Learning with Friends" (Hannes, age 8)

True to this motto, which was created by the children, we want to enable the children to experience themselves as an important part of the community. We see each child as a unique individual with diverse skills. Through respectful interaction, we aim to discover and develop these skills together with the children. Children learn through active participation and inner motivation. To foster this inner drive to learn, we always connect with the children's lives by recognizing their ideas, wishes, needs, abilities, and skills and incorporating them into our educational planning. It is of great importance to us to create a stimulating learning environment that the children actively participate in and can thus be continually adapted to their needs. We see ourselves as educators as companions, learning partners, supporters, and role models who exemplify a respectful, welcoming culture. Everyone is welcome here, regardless of their background, religion, gender, or special characteristics. Discrimination or exclusion is not tolerated in our facility. We teach children inclusive values ​​such as compassion, respect, and trust and encourage them to act accordingly to enable cultural and social participation for all. We strive to create an appreciative and cooperative community in which diversity is an opportunity for development. As educators, we act in accordance with these values ​​to provide confidence and guidance, and we actively combat exclusion and prejudice. We strive to provide children with a sense of security, protection, and safety so that they have the confidence to try new things, to take on ever greater challenges, and thus to further develop their abilities and skills. To achieve this, we respect children's rights and encourage them to do so. Creating an educational partnership based on equal opportunities is fundamental to our work. As experts in their children's development, we maintain a constant dialogue with them and actively involve parents and families in our daily routine. In summary, we want to create a feel-good place together with the children and parents, where our children can explore, discover, relax, romp and be creative.

News

First-grade children are currently cared for at the "Spatzennest" daycare center. Please submit a request to the daycare center to register a spot for a new school-age child. The early morning daycare will still be held in the new building so that the children no longer have to change buildings before classes begin.

Homework Support

Our goal is to enable children to work independently. During their primary school years, children can try out and consolidate various strategies so that they can benefit from the skills and experiences they have acquired in secondary school. During this time, the children learn how to manage their time, organize themselves and their work materials, set priorities, and deal with challenging tasks. They decide whether to work with a friend or seek help from a teacher. We support the children by guiding them in finding their own solutions. Since homework support does not constitute tutoring and homework reflects the child's performance level, we do not provide individual solutions. Oral homework, such as reading assignments, learning assignments, or corrections, must be completed at home, as they require individual support for each child over an extended period of time, which is not possible within our limited time. Our educational work focuses on needs-based orientation. To meet the children's needs, a homework room is established at grade level. This means that one teacher from each grade level will supervise a shared homework room. They will accompany and support the children just as they would in a group setting. However, between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., the children can decide for themselves whether they want to complete their homework right away or first attend to their needs in one of the two group rooms or the outdoor area. They will be supervised by the other two teachers during this time. Likewise, children who have finished their homework can go to the supervision areas of the other two teachers and do not have to continue working in the classroom. At 2:15 p.m., there will be a final call for all children who have not yet started their schoolwork. Tally sheets help us know exactly which children we should encourage to complete their homework one last time.