Waldwichtel in Burbach: New daycare adventure starts in nature!

Waldwichtel in Burbach: New daycare adventure starts in nature!

Holzhausen, Deutschland - in Holzhausen opens the new DRK daycare center "Waldwichtel" as the first forest kindergarten day in Burbach. Nine children are currently inscribed there, and further U3 and Ü3 children will be added in summer. The furnishings are quickly visited, as there are only a few places available. A morning circle takes place every day at 9 a.m. at the fireplace, in which children from other daycare centers and a birthday child are also visiting today. A special highlight for the children is the "mud kitchen", where Max prepares a creative soup made of earth, water and grass. However, he will only stay in the daycare for two months.

Mayor Christoph Ewers and District Administrator Andreas Müller visited the forest gently and emphasized the central role of the forest for child development. This forest daycare center not only enables an innovative form of early childhood education, but also appreciates the value of nature and the environment. Head of Katharina Casimir reports that all children love nature, even if some are initially reserved. The facility is located on a site in Hoorwaldstrasse, which was previously used for the “Burbachs -rich neighborhood” project.

The advantages of forest kindergartens

forest kindergartens differ fundamentally from traditional daycare centers, since they emphasize the stay outdoors and work with natural materials instead of toys. This concept has been widespread in Germany since the 1970s and has increased significantly since the 1990s. Forest kindergartens offer an environmentally educational education that is intended to compensate for the lack of nature experience and movement options. Children experience the seasons intensively, practice mindfulness and collect basic experiences.

The picture of the child in forest kindergartens is shaped by the conviction that children can learn better in nature and are less susceptible to diseases because they are in the fresh air. The educators act in changed conditions and help to ensure that the children sensitize environmental changes and develop an appreciation for nature. In addition, the children are given the opportunity to move in their habitat forest independently and to gain holistic experiences.

everyday care

The forest gently spend time outdoors all year round, with a construction trailer and a shelter serve as a retreat. In heavy rain or snow, the children dodge into the DRK family center Sonnenschein in Niederdresselndorf, where they are housed during lunch. To get there, the children cover a ten -minute walk every day. The daycare day begins between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and ends depending on the childcare model at 1:00 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.

The commitment of DRK, district, municipality and the company Hering has made it possible to build this special daycare center. The forest gently attach great importance to the fact that the children experience nature and develop a variety of skills that are often neglected in today's digital world.