Open Play
The children are allowed to spend most part of the day by choosing what they want to play with and how. Playing is how children express their inner lives and how they acquire knowledge. It is oftentimes not enough for children to have things explained to them, they have to be able to grasp and to feel them. The children deal with the world that is surrounding them within their play and gain important learning experiences. Our task is to observe the children in their play and, when needed, to support them with impulses or help.
Trips
Our day care center is attended by children who do not come from all over Berlin. This is why it is important to us to take them to the surrounding area and to familiarize them with it. Depending on the current offers, we also visit Berlin theatres, cinemas, and museums with the children.
Forest Day
On our regular excursions to the forest the children enjoy this special living environment. They experience the cycles of nature and are able to observe diverse local animals and plants. Together we explore the special value nature has for us humans in order to develop an understanding and respect for the environment and other living beings.
"Bildung für nachhaltige Entwicklung (BNE)"
We also raise children's awareness of environmental issues by planting a raised bed with them in the garden, allowing them to experience the plant cycle, sustainability and environmental protection first-hand. We also involve them in recycling and waste separation in order to reinforce ecological habits and environmental awareness at an early age. Our projects are based on the principles of ESD and promote respect, diversity, solidarity and ecological awareness as core values.
Special activities
Two special highlights in the nursery year are the stayover and the trip.
The stayover is prepared together with the children. A night without parents is a special challenge that many are happy to take on because they get to stay overnight with their daycare friends and trusted caregivers at the daycare.
The daycare trip takes them to nearby destinations with special outdoor or indoor activities and is planned by the teachers. Participation is coordinated with the parents and teachers.
These intense experiences strengthen the bond between children, families and the educational team, promote trust and community, and often remain in the children's memories long after their time at daycare.
Festivals and celebrations
In the course of a day care year, we have many opportunities to celebrate. Feasts are important to us because they offer a break in our everyday routines, are fun and leave us with beautiful memories. We celebrate traditional holidays from our intercultural calendar. Our annual summer festival is another highlight of the day care year. For our preschool children there is an annual children's festival in the "Freiraum" - the event hall of the culture department of studierendenWERK.