In accordance with German child support law, the sponsor of every childcare institution is obliged to develop and implement a pedagogical concept for the respective childcare facility.
The pedagogical concept is the mandatory basis for the educational work in a daycare institution, which is at least to be reflected on the homepages of the daycare facility.
The open concept offers no fixed groups. The children are free to move around the rooms. Each room has its own theme. There are handicraft rooms, workshops, sport rooms and many more.
The freedom of choice lets the children decide for themselves where, how and with whom they want to spend their time with.
Adults rely on the developmental potential of their children and believe that the children can find optimal learning conditions for their personal development in self-initiated,
controlled and regulated environment.
Adults play the role of companion, learning partner, listener, supporter, consultant, feedback and coach.
It is important, that the ambience is well-prepared, properly equipped with sufficient amount of toys and material (including tools).
Integrative kindergartens embrace disabled and non-disabled children together into combined groups.
The children are supposed to learn from each other. Integrated groups focus on tolerance and respect for each other.
Thus, a disabled child is not segregated, but embraced and equally valued by all. Integrative kindergartens require a special personnel structure.
The staff is planned in a way to provide more pedagogues for fewer children. A special education is mandatory for nurses and pedagogues to be able to work in an integrative kindergarten.
The Kneipp kindergartens convey a paradigm of health-conscious behavior and self-responsibility for health.
Each Kneipp kindergarten bases its pedagogical work on the five pillars of the holistic health concept: water, exercise, nutrition, herbs and life.
The playful contact with water inspires children. They learn that water can be balancing and invigorating.
The second pillar – exercise – involves training that strengthens the muscles and helps to improve the posture.
Nutrition is also an important part of the Kneipp pedagogy. The children not only learn the importance of healthy and balanced diet, but also they learn how to cook for themselves.
The pillar „Herbs and Medical Plants“ introduces important herbs and medical plants to the children, as well as teaches the kids to collect, dry and use them.
Kneipp kindergartens teach that healthy lifestyle helps keeping everything in balance. The kindergarten tries to present all the activities in a form of a balanced and harmonious game.
Such facilities are usually run under the free sponsorship.
Find more information about the educational concepts here.
