Concept full version in German, PDF download:Konzept_Straßenkindergarten_Stand_Juli2021
Amidst the prefabricated buildings in Leipzig’s Tarostraße, there is an educational treasure: the children’s day care centre „Straßenkindergarten“. It is a space for children from age 1 to 7 to experience, for play and movement. Beyond that, the children are offered opportunities to retreat, allowing for peace and quiet and also a variety of contacts.
What makes us special is the daily educational work, based on the principles of the “situational approach” – a concept for accompanying educational and life management processes with the main focus on autonomy, solidarity and competence.
Our educators see themselves as reference persons, facilitators, companions, supporters, role models and documenters. Their pedagogical work is tailored to the individual development of the children and the needs of the group. This open planning requires a high degree of mutual open-mindedness and appreciation between educators, children and parents. It is also closely related to the different life situations and living conditions of the children and their families.
Within the community, the children experience their differences as mutually inspiring and enriching. In this social context and positive atmosphere, each child is encouraged to unfolding its own identity and potential.
Each child should be led to self-efficacy by acquiring various competences and also be strengthened in his or her self-esteem. The pedagogical guidance is therefore based on knowledge about developmental psychological characteristics of children at pre-school age.
The cooperation among educators and parents, which has supported the centre since its foundation, also plays a formative role in the centre’s everyday life. It has grown steadily and is characterised by a warm and familiar atmosphere.
The name of the day care centre comes from its origins. Established as a Kindergarten close to home “in our street”, today “street” is also a synonym for life, the near and far (surrounding) world, openness – a setting out.
The term “street kindergarten” therefore also stands for an important pedagogical goal: The development and adoption of the (surrounding) world as a prerequisite for the growth of one’s own identity and personality.