Childcare
The subsidies for daycare centers amounted to € 2,302 million in 2024.
"Children see the world in their very own way"
Welcome to our company! Can you please briefly introduce yourself?
I have been working as an educator for over 20 years and have been in a managerial role since 2017. For me, this profession is much more than just a job that I do for a living – it’s a matter close to my heart. It fulfills me to accompany children on their journey and to witness their development. As a balance to my work, I enjoy being outdoors in nature. I cycle a lot, even longer distances. I have recently rediscovered endurance sports, which I really enjoy.
What motivated you to take on the position of daycare center manager with us?
I was particularly excited to work with the very youngest children – children between the ages of one and three make huge developmental steps. From babbling to talking, from crawling to walking – it is fascinating to accompany them as they explore their “world”. They are curious to discover their surroundings, try things out and begin to make contact. Becoming more and more aware of other people.
What do you find particularly exciting about working with children and in a team?
Every day is different! Children see the world in their very own way – they are honest, curious and full of surprises and pass these reactions to the world on to us. However, I don’t just get feedback from the children, but also from my team. This is predominantly positive and confirms to me that my work is valued and has a certain influence.
What would you like to focus on as a daycare center manager?
My focus is summarized in three areas:
- Team leadership and staff development: A motivated, valued team is the heart of a daycare center. I attach great importance to creating a positive working atmosphere in which there is mutual trust. Open communication and development opportunities for all team members are very important to me.
- Working with parents: For me, communication with parents is one of the central pillars of my work as a daycare center manager. Close and trusting cooperation between parents and the facility is essential in order to promote the children’s well-being in the best possible way. It is important to me that they feel taken seriously and involved.
- Pedagogical quality: We want to continuously develop our work. At the beginning of 2024, we completed further training in Emmi-Pikler pedagogy. We use this method to give our youngest children even more independence and freedom of movement. As a team, we would like to continue on the path of incorporating this approach more and more into our everyday life and “living” more consciously with the children. Our goal has always been and will always be to create an environment that is conducive to learning, in which both the children and the team can continue to develop. This aspiration should continue to improve.
What does an ideal daycare center look like for you?
A daycare center should be a place where children feel safe and comfortable. Here they can learn and grow at their own pace. I want us to create an atmosphere that is characterized by respect, empathy and understanding and that values the diversity and uniqueness of each individual child. Children need space to play, explore and discover – both indoors and outdoors. The educational concept and a committed team are also crucial. An ideal daycare center is a place of learning, play, growth and joy. A valuable guiding principle that accompanies me in my work is: “Trust and respect are the foundations on which true change and development thrive.” In an ideal daycare center, this would therefore be a prerequisite that must be fulfilled.
Are there any specific projects or ideas that you would like to implement in the daycare center?
My goal is to leave the current daycare building behind with my team and move into a new building for the Kita Tausendfüßler that gives us the opportunity to work even more intensively and creatively. A place where we finally have the space and room to implement our pedagogical ideas and approaches even better and offer the children the best possible support. A building that is not only functional, but is also filled with heart and atmosphere. We hope that this wish will soon become reality!
Easter egg competition 2024
Great success: Kita Chamäleon came 2nd in the Münster Arkaden Easter egg competition 2024! Teacher Stephanie Robinson (see picture) spent almost two weeks working on the colorful egg with her preschool children. The special feature: The egg has two motifs. On one side it depicts a chicken, on the other a Minion from the animated film series “I – Simply Incorrigible!”. The profit of 100 euros was invested in language development games.
New climbing frame
In the fall, the children at our Kita Tausendfüßler daycare center were delighted to receive a new climbing frame. The new scaffolding offers a variety of opportunities for climbing and romping around and is designed to promote motor skills in the long term. This is a great addition to the outdoor area for all the children.
Nationwide reading aloud day
Kita Chamäleon took part in the nationwide Read Aloud Day on November 15 with two age-appropriate activities: for the youngest children in the U3 section, a story was presented vividly and vividly with a paper storytelling theater (Kamishibai). The older children in the Ü3 area experienced reading aloud in combination with an overhead projector, which made the pictures visible on a large screen. This made the reading day a special experience for all the children.
Closure of the Zwergenstübchen emergency care center
Children, parents and staff celebrated their farewell together.
For over a decade, the Zwergenstübchen in Bismarckallee 3 served as emergency childcare for up to ten children between the ages of one and three. Now the Studierendenwerk has had to close the facility due to insufficient funding. The children affected were placed in their own group at the Kita Tausendfüßler. Under the motto “I was a Zwergenstübchen child”, the children, parents and staff celebrated the farewell to their facility in the courtyard of Bismarckallee 5. The children played and chatted well into the afternoon. “I was really pleased that so many people accepted the invitation,” summarized Head Sylvia Clausen. “Despite the very emotional reason for the celebration, it was really nice!” The party was attended not only by current Zwergenstübchen children and staff, but also by former children with their families and former employees.
Studierendenwerk Münster would like to thank all colleagues for their loving care and dedicated support of the children: “The Zwergenstübchen has done very valuable work over many years! We will always remember this positively. All those responsible deserve a big thank you,” emphasizes Managing Director Dr. Christoph Holtwisch.
