Childcare
The subsidies for the daycare centers amounted to € 2,044.7 in 2023.
"We want to grow together"
A portrait of the Kita Chamäleon
A balanced diet, plenty of exercise and lots of time for free play within a fixed daily routine – at Kita Chamäleon, the focus is on the essentials. Because: “If these basic pillars are not right, there will be no positive development,” explains Vera Lemié, who has been the head of the facility since 2009. “Above all, we want to look after the children lovingly in a structured setting.” With 60 childcare places in five groups and 18 educators, the Kita Chamäleon is the largest daycare center of the Studierendenwerk Münster. The facility looks after children between the ages of one and six. Its educational work focuses on the situational approach. This pedagogical approach aims to support children from different social and cultural backgrounds in understanding their environment and shaping it in a self-determined, competent and responsible way. In addition to educational activities such as arts and crafts, singing, reading aloud,
In addition to experimentation, gymnastics and baking, the facility also offers free play phases every day. In this way, the children learn to organize their time independently. “During this time, we observe the teachers and let the children explore their environment themselves,” explains Vanessa Dosoudil, deputy head of the daycare center and group leader of the turtles. “Because that’s when the best ideas often emerge!”
Plenty of space for creative ideas
And nobody really has to be bored at the Kita Chamäleon: the basic structure of the daycare center is a kind of tent city, which even received an award from the Ministry of Economics, Energy, Construction, Accomodation and Transport and the NRW Chamber of Architects in 2010 as an “Exemplary Building in NRW 2010”. Each group has a group room as well as an adjoining room, a washroom and a dormitory. All groups have access to a shared gym, a book exchange and the kitchen. “Thanks to the wide, bright corridors, the children also have plenty of space inside to play and run around,” explains Vera Lemié. The facility is particularly proud of its small library. “We have a large selection of children’s books,” explains the manager. “Books help to stimulate the imagination and motivate the children to be creative. We only get creative minds if we don’t school the children at an early age. Digital technology is of secondary importance at this age. Social interaction in a group should always take priority.
The large outdoor area at Kita Chamäleon supports the educational concept. With a variety of play equipment and plenty of open space, the facility offers a wide range of stimulating activities. “We actually go outside every day, unless it rains really hard,” says Vanessa Dosoudil. “The older the children get, the greater the urge to play outside for long periods of time.” Once a week, each group has an exercise program in the gym. It’s no coincidence that exercise plays such a big role at Kita Chamäleon: “If the body doesn’t move, it’s difficult for the mind to develop,” says Vera Lemié.
Children should get to know food
The diet at the daycare center is based on the guidelines of the German Nutrition Society (DGE). “So we serve meat twice a week, fish once and lots of healthy vegetables with the side dishes,” says Vanessa Dosoudil. “We want the children to get to know as many foods as we can.” To this end, the daycare center has its own dietician who cooks fresh meals for the children every day. “We encourage the children to try everything. Because eating is a process of getting used to it,” says Vera Lemié.
Chocolate pudding is also served for an afternoon snack – because that corresponds to the reality of the children’s lives. A special highlight for the children is when they get to lend a hand themselves. “Children love to cook and bake,” reveals Vanessa Dosoudil. “We regularly make banana bread together, bake cookies or cut the peppers for the afternoon snack.”
Express wishes
First and foremost, the child should enjoy going to daycare. “If the child doesn’t feel comfortable, then we won’t reach them in the first place,” explains the deputy manager. “The basis for this is that the parents trust us.” Openness and honesty are essential here. “To build trust, we try to give parents a small positive moment every day at pick-up, for example when the child has done something particularly well. We want to show this: Your child is important to us and is seen by us.” In addition, the daycare center regularly organizes parent-child activities and displays photos in front of the groups to give an insight into everyday life at the daycare center and special projects. One thing is also particularly important to the manager and her deputy. “That the children and parents express their wishes. Because we want to grow together with them.”
2nd place in the Easter egg competition
Great achievement! Kita Chamäleon came 3rd in the Münster Arkaden Easter egg competition in 2023. Teacher Stephanie Robinson (see picture) spent almost two weeks working on the colorful egg with her preschool children. The winnings of 50 euros were invested in bottle devils for the Ü3 groups.
Trip to the strawberry field
In summer, the children from the Zwergenstübchen went on a trip to the strawberry field in Roxel. There was lots of snacking and playing.
Great pictures for children's cancer charity
The children of the Zwergenstübchen painted these great pictures and gave them away to a café in Münster. Their pictures were later sold and were part of a donation to the children’s cancer charity.
