The children experience another language as a normal part of their day. They learn it through play, without any pressure, and led by their natural curiosity. German-speaking teachers work hand in hand with native English speakers and ancillary staff to make this happen. Just as they do with their first language, the children learn English holistically and intuitively as part of their daily routine. A key aim of our internationally diverse community is to instill in the children an open-minded attitude, and respect and appreciation for different ways of life and cultures. Through active multilingualism, wariness of the unfamiliar disappears, so that diversity becomes the norm. Our daycare center ‘Teltow Kids’ sees itself as a vibrant hub for international interaction in Teltow and the state of Brandenburg.

As part of our cross-group approach and the associated concept of semi-open work, we look after our youngest children in a safe and secure environment in two sections of the nursery area. Our older children, aged from around 2 years and 10 months, are catered for in two further pre-school sections within the center. This area is perfectly tailored to their specific developmental needs and interests.

The openness and international spirit that characterize our center provide us with valuable opportunities to live and learn alongside children from different countries of origin, who speak different languages and have individual developmental needs. Through bilingualism and multiculturalism, the children learn from an early age just how diverse, colorful and unique every person is. The consistent upholding of children’s rights is firmly embedded in our day-to-day educational practice. We actively listen to the children, give them a voice and, in doing so, create a safe space for them to have their say and get involved.

We provide a balanced full-day catering service for all children. Breakfast and afternoon snacks are freshly prepared every day at our facility. Meals are based on the quality standards set by the German Nutrition Society (DGE). As sport and physical exercise are fundamental cornerstones of wellbeing, they are firmly integrated into our daily routine. Our physical activity program is actively supported by the accredited prevention program ‘Fit4Future’ of the DAK, the major public health insurance provider. 

Working closely and in a spirit of trust with the children’s primary caregivers, we place the utmost importance on bonding and emotional security during the settling-in period. It is important to us that the youngest children have positive experiences outside the family home right from the start. That is why we offer introductory sessions in the form of playgroups even before the official start. Subsequent transitions within the center are supported too on an individual basis.

The transition to school is also an important milestone, which we support with care and sensitivity. Close cooperation with local primary schools helps the children to establish their first positive experiences of everyday school life at an early stage.

For us, our partnership with parents in the child’s upbringing is the crucial link between the family and the daycare center. A respectful, transparent and trusting approach to one another forms the foundation for a successful time at the center. As well as organizing events and projects together, we actively involve parents in our day-to-day activities. Through the accredited ‘Schatzsuche’ (‘Treasure Hunt’) parenting program, families also have the opportunity to experience the daycare environment from a completely new, strength-based perspective.