Our Kinderladen ABC

Children aged 1 to 6 years are cared for in our Kinderladen. All parents can register their children at the Kinderladen using the registration form. This form can be found on our homepage or can be sent by e-mail.

In the first quarter of the year, there are usually 1 or 2 meetings to which interested parents are invited. The facility can be visited and any questions can be answered. Once a place has been confirmed, there is an admissions interview followed by the signing of a contract and an introductory meeting with the caregiver who will accompany the settling-in period.

Each child is greeted lovingly by the teachers in the morning. The drop-off time is until 9.00 a.m. so that we can then start the day together in peace. With the official handover of the child to the educators, both the duty of supervision and insurance cover lie with the Kinderladen. These end when parents or authorized persons pick up the child and leave the Kinderladen.

We offer our children a variety of activities and work according to the situation-oriented approach. The areas of music, creativity, health, exercise, media education and preschool for children aged 5 and over are particularly noteworthy. The age mix does not play a significant role, as we design the activities according to age.

We go on various excursions throughout the year. Where possible, we visit places with all age groups. We like to visit indoor playgrounds, the library, theaters, surrounding nature reserves or, once a year, the Berlin Zoo together with the parents.

Children at our facility may only be picked up by third parties with a pick-up authorization from the parents. This permission must be current for the day or it is a permanent permission/authorization.

Children who suffer from allergies or intolerances receive special attention. Parents are obliged to inform the Kinderladen of this and to submit a medical certificate to the Kinderladen. If vital medication has to be administered by the teachers, this must be recorded in writing using our declaration of consent for the administration of medication. Further arrangements may need to be made, e.g. with caterers.

The prerequisite for admission to our Kinderladen is a childcare contract between the provider and parents, with all important information/certificates about the child.

The Kinderladen has an educational mission. The children are observed individually in their development processes. The observations are noted in a specially developed observation sheet and form the basis for the annual development discussion. The language learning diary is another way of documenting developmental steps/projects and excursions. The child is involved in its design.

Children can be brought to the Kinderladen at two different times.

1st drop-off time: 6.00-8.00 a.m.

2nd drop-off time: 8.45 - 9.05 a.m.

The entire staff team at the “Storkower Zauberwäldchen” Kinderladen sees complaints as an opportunity to develop and improve our educational work.

Excerpt from our complaints culture:

- We communicate openly with each other

- We treat each other with appreciation and respect

- We bear responsibility as role models in the nursery

- We are all allowed to make mistakes

- We handle complaints carefully and respectfully

- We take complaints objectively and not personally

- We look for binding solutions together

The fire safety regulations with marked escape routes, which can be found in the entrance area of the Kinderladen, must be followed.

The creative design activities are based on the resources that children naturally bring with them. Openness, spontaneity and curiosity are the best prerequisites for creative processes.

The children have the opportunity to become active themselves, to experiment, to try things out and to develop their imagination with joy. To this end, there are changing, voluntary activities.

In open activities, the children are given enough time and space to live out their own creative ideas without any guidelines. The handicrafts are used to decorate the children's store.

In this way, they experience appreciation and have a sense of achievement, which strengthens their self-confidence. Each child needs an A3 craft folder labeled with their name.

Provided by the children's store, comforter cover and pillow are brought by the parents.

Our lunch is provided by the catering company “Löwenzahn”. They have been certified by Agro-Öko-Consult Berlin since February 2005 and bear the BIO seal of approval. Löwenzahn is quality-tested according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and the food reaches the Kinderladen in thermally protected, reusable thermal containers. Delivery times are agreed individually with us.

A staff meeting takes place every four weeks from 3.00 pm. In these meetings, we reflect on organizational issues and our pedagogical activities and exchange information about the children.

We all work according to a fixed rota. The teachers start their shift at different, staggered times and there is a weekly rotation.

All data collected in the Kinderladen is treated confidentially and is subject to the data protection guidelines. Exceptions for external use are recorded in writing.

Based on the Berlin settling-in model, we pay attention to a gentle, individual settling-in process. We understand the Berlin settling-in model as conveying a certain basic trust to the child and their caregiver during the first few days. In addition, the child and caregiver carefully get to know all the facilities of the Kinderladen, such as the rooms, children and teachers. Until the child, after a short separation from the caregiver, can spend a trusting day in the Kinderladen. This period is individual for each child and is organized according to the child's needs.

Achieving an educational partnership between parents and teachers is used for the benefit of the children. The basic prerequisite for this is constructive discussions between both parties. Through transparency, mutual exchange, consultation and acceptance, a trusting cooperation is consolidated.

Parents' evenings are an important and integral part of our cooperation between parents and teachers. They take place every six months. Topics requested by parents are taken into account. In the future, there will be another parents' evening to discuss educational topics.

Meetings with parents can take place spontaneously or by appointment. Good cooperation with parents is important to us. We have the opportunity to exchange brief information in door-to-door discussions.

As the child's well-being is at stake, we want an open and honest exchange. If there are any problems or parents would like to know how their child is developing, please make an appointment as soon as possible.

In order to be able to discuss the child's development, a development meeting takes place at least once a year. As this is often not possible in everyday life and it should be discussed in a calm atmosphere, parents are invited to attend. This is based on our observations and documentation in accordance with the Berlin Education Program.

Four times a year, parents meet at the children's store to clean the premises and maintain the garden. Parents can also be counted on to help with repair work.

The manageable group size of 25 children creates a family atmosphere in our nursery. We see ourselves as a supportive companion for important developmental steps and complement family education. The close and trusting relationship between parents, children and teachers creates a harmonious environment.

Play is very important in our children's store. From birth, children have a desire to play and experiment independently. Play allows our children to develop without any pressure. Play is not about achieving goals. They can decide for themselves who, what, where and for how long they want to play with.

The advantage of self-determined play is that the children have the opportunity to engage with their environment and process problems, impressions, thoughts and experiences through play. At the same time, the children learn social skills, conflict and problem-solving strategies, how to deal with their own physical strength, flexibility and accuracy. Imagination and creativity can develop just as well as language skills when playing with other children.

Above all, cognitive skills, perseverance, the ability to concentrate and an understanding of rules are promoted through play.

The same for all children!!! The children eat breakfast together at around 8.15 am. The breakfast, lovingly prepared by the teachers, is eaten in the kitchen. Each child can choose what they want to eat. The offer ranges from muesli/cornflakes, various types of bread and spreads to fruit and vegetables. On certain occasions/celebrations, breakfast is offered as a buffet. All in compliance with hygiene and catering standards.

The Kinderladen organizes all the recurring festivals in the calendar. These include carnival, Easter and Christmas. The parents organize a party once a year for the children and the teachers.

Each child has a checkroom locker in the Kinderladen, which should be kept in order on their own responsibility and, if necessary, with the support of their parents. There is a safety vest for each child on the checkroom hook, which we use for excursions and which is provided by the Kinderladen.

We like to celebrate this special day with all the children, with the birthday child taking center stage. We start the party together with a crown on our heads. We sing songs together and play games that the child can choose themselves. The child receives a magic bag with great things from the children's store, which they can try out at home for a week. There is also a small personal gift in the magic bag. The birthday child can of course bring something to the facility. The parents will discuss the procedure and the bringing of cake, fruit, vegetables or other treats in advance. Please do not bring cakes with pudding and creams and refrain from bringing small gifts for each individual child.

We provide the children with various drinks. They can choose between milk (only for breakfast), tea or water. Juices are served diluted at parties.

We use our garden at every opportunity. We romp, play and exercise there. Educational activities also take place there. We also use the surrounding playgrounds to add variety to our daycare routine.

The child needs slippers in the Kinderladen that are labeled with their name, fit firmly on the foot and can be put on and taken off independently. To avoid injuries, please make sure the shoe size is correct.

Children with and without disabilities are cared for in our Kinderladen, enabling and supporting them to live and learn together. The coexistence of children with different levels of development creates intensive learning opportunities for all children, allowing them to learn and benefit from each other. The children take part in all activities together. The focus is on the children's abilities and skills. Each child is accepted as they are and is allowed to develop at their own pace.

Important information can be found on our information board next to the group room or may be sent to parents via email/WhatsApp by our parent representatives. The homepage also provides basic information. We also like to use the WhatsApp status to share important information. Parents also receive a quarterly newsletter.

We work together with various institutions that provide us with a wide range of training opportunities, support and general information. One of our important tasks is to keep an eye on the welfare of the children (“Endangerment of children's welfare § 8a SGB VIII”). If we see a risk here, it is our duty to act appropriately and work closely with the youth welfare office. Child protection concerns us all.

Your child will need slippers, a change of clothes and sportswear on the first day of daycare. In the summer, your child will also need swimwear, bathing shoes and a towel. The change of clothes should be checked regularly by the caregivers to ensure that they are complete and of the correct size and should be in stock according to the season. Children should also have weather-appropriate clothing for outside. This includes rainwear and rubber boots.

Clothing and shoes should be labeled with the child's name.

As it also happens that children get dirty (which is how it should be), it is recommended that children do not bring “fine” clothes to the children's store. Comfortable and practical clothing is preferred.

We have established a cooperation with the nearby center for respiration and intensive care through the parents working there (whose children are cared for by us), joint parties and events. We also cooperate with the library on Anton Saefkow Platz. We can visit the library once a month for readings with the children from the age of 4. We also cooperate with the Edeka food market in the basement. We receive fruit and vegetables every week and receive donations through the “Round up please” campaign. For our pre-school children, we have been able to secure a cooperation with the Temple Grandin School. The children can get a taste of everyday school life one morning and visit the school premises.

Cancellations can be made with a four-week notice period to the end of the month. Reasons for termination on the part of the facility can be found in the childcare contract.

Sick children do not belong in the Kinderladen. Please inform us immediately if your child is ill and let us know immediately if it is a contagious disease according to §§34 IfSG. This will enable us to react in good time and take further steps to minimize the risk of infection. Children with a fever must be fever-free for 48 hours before they can return to the Kinderladen. This rule also applies to gastrointestinal illnesses. We ask for your understanding that we are not allowed to administer medication of any kind in the Kinderladen. Exceptions only apply to emergency medication. Individual arrangements are possible.

Our concept is displayed on the notice board at the main entrance opposite the kitchen and can of course be viewed at any time. The entire team revises it at regular intervals on the designated concept days.

Alternating with the Kinderladen trip, an overnight stay takes place in the Kinderladen with all children aged 3 and over. An individual arrangement is required.

The Kinderladen “Storkower Zauberwäldchen” is located in the Berlin district of Lichtenberg, at Franz - Jacob - Straße 4A. On the first floor of the “Storkower Bogen”, the Kinderladen is both traffic-calmed and centrally located with easy access to the S-Bahn, bus and streetcar.

The management of the Kinderladen is always open for discussions. If it is a longer conversation, please make an appointment in advance.

Wir haben eine Kooperation mit der Logopädie Nowak & Dobslaff.

The children eat lunch in two groups. The up to 3 year olds from 11.15 am and the 4 year olds from 11.35 am. We are supplied by the caterer Löwenzahn (see caterer).

In the Kinderladen we have a midday quiet time from 12.00 noon to 2.00 pm. During this time, the children have the opportunity to sleep or simply rest. From 1.00 p.m., the first children can get up and engage in quiet play.

Music is a regular part of everyday life at our daycare center. It addresses many other areas/skills and is therefore very versatile. The children have access to instruments, move to music and listen to sound stories.

Nowadays, children learn how digital media work with a natural understanding of themselves. In this area, our aim as a children's store is to explore the world of media together with the children and make it accessible to all children. First experiences are made through books, cameras and stories as well as music CDs. Our aim is to support them in sharing their experiences and learning about the advantages of the digital world through play.

No medication is administered in the children's store unless it is vital medication. For this, a doctor's prescription must be presented and a declaration of consent for the administration of medication must be signed by the parents.

Even the youngest children should know their name and address. We practise this intensively in the morning circle with all the children.

Please inform the Kinderladen of any important (emergency) numbers. In the event of a change, please inform us of the new number as soon as possible. This also applies to new addresses.

The Kinderladen is open from 6.00 am to 4.30 pm.

Fresh and varied fruit and vegetables are always offered at mealtimes.

Participation means the involvement of children in decision-making processes. The group votes democratically on whether we want to play in the children's store, go outside, visit the garden or the playground. These decisions affect the whole group and the children themselves become effective, learn to represent their opinions and accept a particular decision. Every child has the right to choose their own play partner and play location. The materials and toys are freely accessible or are provided on request.

Our offers and projects take place on a voluntary basis. As far as possible, the children are actively involved in the planning of our daily program and the daily routine.

If you have any questions or special concerns, please contact the nursery team or the management directly. A confidential conversation is often the solution to the problem. It is also possible to address it anonymously with the help of our complaint box in the checkroom area.

The term “project work” refers to dealing with a topic from the children's world. The choice of topic is situation-oriented

The teachers are guided by the children's needs, observations during play, preferences and interests, as well as their questions and comments.

During our project times, the children strengthen their ego competence, social and subject competence, as well as their competence in learning methods.

Our projects are documented for parents and children after completion and can be viewed at any time.

Our Kinderladen currently employs 6 full-time and part-time teachers. They have qualified in different areas. The 25 children are lovingly cared for and supported by 4 state-approved educators, a curative educator with the additional qualification “Specialist educator for integration” and a social education worker in the children's store.

We use various tools to ensure and continuously develop the quality of our childcare center.

Door-to-door talks and a parent questionnaire (every two years) help us to assess the quality of our facility. A “grievance box” located in the checkroom area can also be used to address wishes and concerns anonymously.

Through internal and external training courses, the educators take the opportunity to acquire even more knowledge and current issues of pedagogical life. In team meetings and the internal evaluation, pedagogical content is developed and discussed in order to further develop the quality of the Kinderladen.

In the external evaluation, the pedagogical work on the Berlin Education Program is reviewed by a qualified company and certified at the end. The current situation is recorded at regular intervals and opportunities for improving the educational work are identified.

Our Kinderladen resembles a small forest, which is reflected in the checkroom area. Our (functional) rooms are adapted to the needs of the children and are regularly adapted by the staff according to age. Our facility includes a friendly, bright kitchen area, a roof terrace that can be used for play and activities and an office that can be used for parent meetings and team meetings. Outside, there is a garden for the children to play and explore.

Every 2-3 years, we plan a trip to the outskirts of Berlin for 5 days with the children aged 3 ½ and over.

In the entrance area of the Kinderladen, all children will find the applicable rules in the form of pictograms. These are practiced and internalized with the children.

The teachers at the “Storkower Zauberwäldchen” children's store support the development of language skills in the children by acting as role models. We listen carefully to the children and treat them as equals. The teachers comment on their actions in all situations. For example, they talk to the youngest children when changing their nappies or brushing their teeth after lunch.

In order to recognize the children's preferences and strengths on a linguistic level, the children are observed in everyday life and thus encouraged in their actions.

In addition to everyday language development, which takes place on the side, we use the children's interest in language and train with them without them perceiving this as language training. We use various picture cards (fruit and vegetable cards, professions, animals, objects, etc.) to encourage the children to speak.

Books also play a major role in language development in our children's store.

The Kinderladen is not closed during the summer. There is only a fixed closing time from 23.12. to 01.01. of the following year. The day after Ascension Day is also a fixed closing day. Concept days and other closing days are communicated with the parents' representatives and parents are informed in the current year for the coming year.

“Movement forms the basis for a wide range of learning processes and is a prerequisite for the development of cognitive, emotional, social and language skills. Through movement, children experience themselves and understand their environment. Cognition, emotion and motor skills are closely linked.” - Excerpt from the Berlin Education Program 2014

Our daily schedule can be found on the homepage www.storkower-zauberwaeldchen.de.

With the consent and cooperation of the parents, we can put the youngest children on the potty. The basic prerequisites are interest and a certain understanding of the physical processes on the part of the children. There is no compulsion. Sufficient changes of underwear are required for this process.

Both the children and the teachers have a right to vacation. Vacation is to be entered in the annual vacation planning, which is displayed on the information board, and should also be binding. Every child should have the opportunity to enjoy 10 days of vacation.

Our aim is to prepare the children for the new stage in their lives (starting school) in such a way that they look forward to it with joy, confidence and serenity. We accompany the children on this journey together.

The schoolchildren visit our cooperation school and go on one last excursion with their teachers before they start school.

The children at the Kinderladen are insured by Unfallkasse Berlin. This applies to accidents on the direct way to the facility, within the facility and during excursions. Accidents can happen!!! If the parents visit a doctor after an accident at the daycare center, please report this to the Kinderladen within 3 days, as the center must report the accident to the Unfallkasse.

Our facility attaches great importance to a healthy, varied and balanced diet. Naturally, cultural eating habits and allergies are taken into consideration. Breakfast and snacks are offered daily and prepared by the teachers.

The food for breakfast and snacks is purchased weekly, alternately by the parents of our children's store. The children's store charges an additional monthly contribution of around €37.00 for breakfast and snacks. There is a catering concept with minimum standards, which is handed out to parents at the start of the daycare center.

Preschool and the learning of important life tasks accompany the children throughout their time at the daycare center. A pencil case is required in the last year of nursery. Preschool offers the children a nurturing environment in which they can develop their individual, social, cognitive and basic motor skills. The aim of preschool in our Kinderladen is to introduce the children to learning at school.

Language is the basic prerequisite for all education. The introduction to mathematical thinking, such as comparing, matching, quantities, shapes, sizes, counting and sorting, takes up a large part of the pre-school work.

All diaper-wearing children are changed at mealtimes and as required. Each child has a diaper changing compartment that is equipped with all the important supplies the child needs (diapers, disposable wipes, wet wipes, care cream). Parents are responsible for the compartments and are responsible for replenishing missing diapers, etc.

The Kinderladen charges an additional fee of €37.00 per month. The following services are included: Breakfast and snacks, craft supplies and the purchase of special gifts/toys. In addition, there is a €23.00 charge for the organic lunch provided by the caterer.

The teachers brush the children's teeth together once a day after breakfast or lunch. Once a year, Kroko - a tooth-cleaning crocodile - comes by and the children learn how to brush their teeth properly with the help of the crocodile, accompanied by music. A dentist also visits every one to two years to check the children's dental status.