ESC: Volunteering at children's group "Teddybär" in Vienna

Our organisation is a parent-managed child care facility (kindergarten) called "Kindergruppe Teddybär" with a maximum of 14 children and at the moment three carers/kindergarten teachers. You can find our children's group in the courtyard of a Wilhelminian-style building in Vienna's 7th district. Our teachers are excellently trained and experienced educators. For many years now, we were able to host a foreign-language volunteer who complemented our supervisory team. For us, the possibility of welcoming a volunteer is very inspiring. We really appreciate the learning effect that comes with it as well as the intercultural exchange itself. Childcare is the main activity in our child care facility. The volunteer will take part in caring for the children and playing with them for the majority of the day and accompanying them in their daily routines, while they are learning and playing. The activities within our "kindergruppe" are very multifaceted. Particularly important are excursions into the nature which take place in every season. We are very happy if a volunteer accompanies us. We also give the opportunity for inclusion and are willing to include people with fewer opportunities. Our group is an initiative organized by parents who want to secure a high quality care for their children (small group size, high care key) and who see children as active, creative beeings with diverse social bonding and group building abilities. The children are supported by a team of early childhood educators. The daily work includes cultural and outdoor activities, group activities, games, preparing food and assisting the kids with all their needs during daytime. The children are aged 2 to 6. A good communication and working together with the parents is very important for us. Our kindergarden teachers closely work together with the parents whose duties are both necessary and intentional: Parents cook the meals, clean the place, keep the garden and help with taking care of the children if need be. They are involved in all decisions concerning the children, the site and the activities of the group. The small group and the co-operative approach enable the kids to develop their social, intellectual and motoric skills according to their needs and with all the time they need. Regular activities of the group are: outdoor days, visits to museums, theatres or similar. PE-trainings (at a gym, swim-training, ice-skating etc.) and all the usual indoor activities according to themes given or needs of the group (music, movement, creativity, language, pre-school training etc. and skills of every day life). Since the Kindergruppe is situated in a centre district of Austria´s capital Vienna, the volunteer would have the chance to get to know the city and all the opportunities it offers. Our two main kindergarden teachers are Doris and Edisa, both have been working for the Kindergruppe Teddybär for many years. They are very experienced in handling new group situations and occuring difficulties. They finished the official Kindergruppen-training and continue with additional courses regularly. The association/Verein Kindergruppe Teddybär has had volunteers working with the group for different periods of time for many years - those experiences have always been positive for both the group and the volunteers. Since parents working with/for the group is a major aspect of a Kindergruppe, the teachers are experienced in working with "volunteers", so to say. Furthermore, it is very welcome and highly appreciated, that the volunteer contributes his/her own initiatives, interests and talents.