Frequently asked questions: Childcare at the WABE daycare centers
WABE-Kitas are an offer to all children to conquer the world on their own way. We encourage every child: Discover what you can do!
Our daycare centers are places where children can try things out in a protected environment. We accompany your child in his or her personal development and give him or her
- the freedom to develop at his or her own pace,
- the opportunity to actively participate in the day-to-day life of the daycare center,
- the ability to trust in his or her strengths, and
- the optimal conditions to discover his or her interests.
From settling in to starting school – How your child experiences everyday life at the daycare center
The transition process in our daycare centers is based on the “Berlin Model” or the “Munich Model”. From the first day, we flexibly orient ourselves to the individual needs of each child. Depending on the model, we initially expect an transition period of at least two to four or four to six weeks, of which you as parents accompany your child for at least six days. These times vary, depending on the child’s temperament and readiness.
During the settling-in period, you are your child’s anchor until the relationship with the new caregiver is solidified. During this time, our educators are in dialogue with you as parents and reflect on progress together.
If you have confidence in your child and in us as a WABE daycare center, the transition will be successful for everyone. We support you in this!
A reliable daily routine is important for children. It gives them security and orientation. We allow the children plenty of time for free and self-determined play. The exact times differ in the daycare and elementary areas and roughly include:
- Early care with free play time and targeted activities
- Breakfast buffet
- Morning circle or morning conferences
- Educational activities, followed by free play time (transition in the elementary area is smooth)
- Possibility for nap time
- Nap or rest time in the daycare area
- Free play or educational activities, first pick-up time
- Snack break
- Free play or educational activities, pick-up time
- Final round in the elementary area
- Late care
You may also have a look at our video “A Day at a WABE center”
All WABE daycare centers attach great importance to healthy nutrition. At the open breakfast buffet, your children can help themselves to fresh raw vegetables, fruit, and whole grain products according to their taste. We pay attention to a seasonal and regional selection. Some of our daycare centers are supplied with healthy lunches daily by two of WABE’s own production kitchens. Mineral water or unsweetened tea is available throughout the day.
Within the framework of meal times, your child decides for himself when and how much he wants to eat. In this way, they learn to pay attention to their body’s signals.
When cooking and baking together, we teach the children how to handle food and the joy of preparing healthy meals.
WABE supports you in balancing family and work. Most of our facilities are open 10-12 hours a day, offering you a high degree of flexibility. We are there for your children all year round and only close between Christmas and New Year’s Eve and on two to three concept days per year. You will be informed about these dates in good time.
Individual care times may vary depending on the facility or state. Please contact the local daycare center management.
For the exact opening hours of the individual daycare centers, please visit our facility pages.
In the last year before starting school, our youngest children enjoy special privileges. Our specialists teach the preschool children basic skills in a playful way in all educational areas such as mathematics, language, music or science. In addition, motor skills as well as social and emotional competencies are strengthened. In Hamburg, we participate in the “Kita-Brückenjahr” (bridging year from daycare to school).
Pedagogy and support in our WABE daycare centers – this is how we work
All facilities of WABE work according to the concept of Open Pedagogy of Mindfulness. This means: We accept your child with his or her own personality. We respect their needs and give them the space and time to develop according to their own inclinations and abilities. Our educators accompany the children in this process and provide stimuli for playing and learning. In the functional rooms with different educational focuses, the children can move according to their needs and find out what they are capable of. The basis of our pedagogy is
- the appreciation of each child with his or her individual characteristics,
- the possibility of self-determination and co-determination, and
- the feeling of belonging in the daycare community.
From the very first day of settling in, your child will have a reliable reference teacher at his or her side. This person is also the first point of contact for questions and requests from parents. However, every child at WABE has the freedom to choose his or her own play partners and caregivers if new sympathies develop over time.
Exercise in the fresh air and proximity to nature are important focal points at the WABE daycare centers. The children can let off steam daily in our spacious outdoor areas or on nearby playgrounds. Some of our daycare centers also have their own animals, such as chickens or rabbits, which are cared for by the children, or grow herbs, fruit and vegetables in their own beds and greenhouses.
Our daycare centers follow a holistic approach and support your child in all educational areas. The pedagogical staff are specialized in one subject area, in which they offer the children a variety of learning opportunities. In the well-designed and well-equipped functional rooms, your child will find plenty of stimulation to live out his or her creativity, urge to move, imagination and joy of discovery.
But the most important thing at WABE is: Your child gets to know itself. In doing so, they experience appreciation and self-efficacy. They are allowed to discover and try out themselves, their personality and their individual talents. Therefore, we plan a lot of time and space for free play and self-determined development. Our goal is for each child to continue on his or her path as a happy and self-confident person after leaving the daycare center.
Our Open Pedagogy of Mindfulness is an inclusive concept. Every child is included, his or her individual potential is encouraged and participation is made possible. We understand diversity as enrichment for all children and want to offer every WABE child the same opportunities.
Our new buildings and renovations are planned to be barrier-free and there are therapy rooms with special support possibilities. In addition, we work closely with a network of local therapeutic facilities (e.g. speech therapists, physiotherapists) in every WABE daycare center.
Many of our facilities currently have specialists with special education qualifications who accompany children with special needs.
For detailed information on individual daycare centers or questions about individual support options for your child, please visit our facility pages or contact your local daycare center.
Practical information for parents
Parental contributions for childcare depend on the state-specific regulations.
The day-care center voucher system applies in Hamburg , in which basic care of 5 hours a day is free for all parents. You can find more information on how to apply and any additional costs here (in German): https://www.hamburg.de/kita-gutschein/
You can find English information about the Hamburg childcare system and an aid to filling in the application for the Kita voucher here: https://www.hamburg.com/welcome/living/kids-family/11845896/childcare/
In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the state bears the full cost of childcare.
In Schleswig-Holstein , the respective municipal and city administrations are responsible for collecting the contributions. Depending on the daycare center location, you can get information from the city administration of Lauenburg/Elbe (including WABE daycare center Lauenburg), the city administration of Pinneberg (WABE daycare centers Bismarckstraße and Parkstadt), the municipal administration of Rellingen (WABE daycare center Spiel(t)raum) or the city administration Tornesch (WABE-Kita Weltenbummler).
You can find the contribution rates for our day care center in Usingen, Hessen , in the overview of the cost contributions of the city of Usingen . These only apply to families living in Usingen. For regulations in neighboring communities or other costs for early care or variable hours, please contact the day-care center management.
If you have any further questions about parental contributions, please contact your institution or the WABE e.V. office directly, either by email at elternbeitrag@wabe.de or by calling the parent hotline on 040-303 909 77 .
Have you decided on a WABE day-care center? Simply use our online form for a non-binding registration. We will get back to you promptly.
You know your child best and are therefore our most important educational partner. An open exchange between our educators and you as parents promotes mutual trust and also has a positive effect on your child.
We allow you to participate in your child’s day-to-day activities through a high degree of transparency, for example in the case of job shadowing and individual portfolio folders. You can support us at campaigns and festivals or as a parent representative. We always have an open ear for your concerns and remain in dialogue with you during greetings and farewells, topic-related parents’ evenings, regular development talks or individual appointments.
WABE attaches great importance to a safe environment for your child. In our own framework protection concept, we define important security standards to prevent inappropriate or violent actions. We regularly offer our parent representatives training courses on child protection.
