ESC: Kinderladen Hütteldorf

Our Kindergarten was founded by parents and kindergarten teachers for the collective supervision of children aged 2 to 6 with shared goals and contents. Such a kindergarten is called a “Kindergruppe”. It is managed by the parents. Living and working together in a group of children is a process that involves constant change. Therefore parents, caregivers and children need to show curiosity, flexibility and open-mindedness. Being part of the “Kindergruppe”, of its life, of its social environment requires continuous active participation of all parties involved. The aim of such a kindergarten is to trust the children to make their own experiences, in a given setting and with the necessary support. The caregivers help the children along the way to discover their personality. The adults grant all involved parties and the group as a whole a development that does not necessarily match the perfect ideal of one individual. A “Kindergruppe” allows for the learning of democratic behaviour, and to show solidarity. Amongst others we strive to: - A considerate and respectful communication with children, by the parents - Dealing with a conflict mindful of the weaker parties - The possibility to decide on one’s own authority, sharing responsibility with all parties A well-functioning “Kindergruppe” requires the work, creativity and commitment of the parents. Each parent is responsible for each child in the group. For instance, the workload is shared equally between all parents. Concretely, tasks such as cooking, cleaning, accompanying on a trip, organising activities and material, associative and administrative work, are compulsory and split between the parents for the well-functioning of the “Kindergruppe”. In our parental managed “Kindergruppe” two caregivers care for 13 children from 2 to 6 years old and are supported by our volunteers. In our everyday work we value most of all respect, room for individual development and a feeling of security. We let ourselves be guided by the needs of our children, and decide with them our daily activities. Volunteering at "Kinderladen Hütteldorf" means to explore everydaylife with our children side by side with our caregivers. Some of the daily activities with the children are arriving at "Kindergruppe", having meals together (breakfast, lunch), playing, cooking, baking, handicraft work, going to the forest, relaxing, reading, gymnastics, playing instruments and singing, celebrating (birthdays, traditional festivites) etc.