Introduction

Dear Parents,

Are you looking for loving and individualized care for your child in a family-like atmosphere? Then you’ve come to the right place.

My name is Rita Manz. I have been a qualified childminder since February 2017 and live with my three children (aged 4, 9, and 14) in a lively, child-friendly household.

In addition, I have completed further training as a specialist in inclusion and integration, which allows me to respond even more specifically to the individual needs and developmental paths of the children in my care.

In my small group (a maximum of 5 children aged 0 to 3), every child is free to play, laugh, and explore the world at their own pace. With patience, warmth, and mindfulness, I accompany the little ones and support them in their development.

It is very important to me that each child feels safe and secure – because only then can they learn and grow with curiosity.

In my daycare, I place great value on close cooperation with parents. We maintain regular communication to ensure that your child’s needs are always at the center. Together, we accompany your child on their journey and support their individual growth.

The parental contributions are equivalent to those of a public daycare center.

I look forward to getting to know you and your child!

Rooms

The family daycare “Rita’s Cuddle Bears” is located in my private home on the ground floor of an apartment building, featuring a spacious terrace and an adjoining play lawn. The children’s play area is lovingly integrated into the large, open living space. The big display windows from the former bakery are positioned at child-friendly height and invite little ones to observe the world outside.

Right next to the living area is a cozy nap room, where children can rest and recharge after an exciting morning. The large terrace and grassy area with various play equipment offer plenty of space for outdoor breakfasts, splashing around, playing, and running freely in the fresh air.

Both indoor and outdoor areas are equipped with age-appropriate toys, which I adapt to meet the individual needs of each child. The entrance and living areas are decorated according to the seasons or current themes – often featuring the children’s own crafts, which are later collected in their personal portfolios as special keepsakes.

Outdoor Facilities

My child daycare is located in Heidenau Süd, in the former premises of the Spiegelhauer bakery – right near the Pestalozzi Gymnasium. The surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities for play and discovery: several playgrounds are within walking distance, as well as the Elbe riverbanks and nature trails that are perfect for little adventures.

Thanks to the nearby S-Bahn station Heidenau Süd, exciting day trips are easy to organize. Whether it’s a visit to Dresden Zoo, the airport, Sächsische Schweiz, or a trip to Rathen – all destinations are easy to reach and suitable for young children.

During the summer, the Albert-Schwarz-Bad in Heidenau is a popular spot. Its splash zone and dedicated toddler area provide a fun and refreshing change of pace.

Daily Schedule

My child daycare is open Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Children who have breakfast with us arrive within the first 30 minutes, so we can enjoy a calm and shared breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m. All other children usually arrive between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m.

During the warmer months, we don’t stay indoors for long. As soon as everyone has arrived, we head out for new adventures – to the playground, into nature, or simply to explore the neighborhood. Fruit tastes good anywhere, and our morning circle songs are just as joyful under the open sky.

On cooler days, we hold our morning circle and fruit snack around 9:00 a.m. in the playroom, before heading outside all bundled up. And on rainy days? We love to paint, craft, or read stories inside – though splashing through puddles in rubber boots is just as much fun!

Depending on the children’s age and level of tiredness, lunch is served between 11:00 and 11:30 a.m. This is followed by a midday rest of about two hours. However, no child is required to sleep. Some need more rest, others less – and I’m well prepared to support these individual sleep needs in my daycare.

Around 2:30 p.m., once everyone is awake and dressed again, we have a little afternoon snack together. Afterwards, the children are picked up between 3:00 and 4:00 p.m.

Basics

I work according to the situational approach, with the Saxon Education Plan serving as the foundation of my work. My primary goal when caring for young children is that they look forward to coming to me because they feel safe and secure. I aim to provide a place where children can discover the world at their own pace, with their strengths and weaknesses, and simply enjoy being with other children. This is only possible through a close and trusting partnership with the parents.

Every child is, from birth, a unique personality with different interests and needs, shaped partly by development, partly by the family, and influenced by social and cultural backgrounds. My goal is to recognize and understand these needs in order to support each child individually, helping them grow in their personal development, language development, sensory perception, motor skills, creativity, and imagination. I aim to achieve this through movement games, clear language, stories and rhymes, songs, and the use of various materials.

Through close collaboration with parents and attentive observation, I want to offer the children the best possible developmental opportunities, taking their developmental stage into account. The children should develop confidence in their abilities and feel accepted. My goal is to strengthen their will, as well as their independence, self-responsibility, and thus their self-confidence.

A detailed concept of my work is available directly in my daycare.