School Companions for Children: Daycare Staff Accompany Kids to School as an Option for Parents
In a revitalized residence nestled at 2C Büdnerstraße in the charming neighborhood of Schwerin-Lankow, you'll find a cozy world brimming with love, discipline, and an endearing sense of adventure: the daycare "The Little Vikings", skillfully managed by Beatrice Rauth and Marion Babinsky. This unique haven caters to young ones not just up to their third birthday but also, upon request, until they embark on their formal education journey. The concept, though uncommon in the region, demonstrates exceptional potential.
Individual Attention and Personal Bonding
With around 47 care providers operating in Schwerin, the majority catering to children aged 0 to 3, "The Little Vikings" in Schwerin-Lankow offers a thoughtful alternative to traditional kindergartens. New this year, this exceptional daycare provides care for children up to school age. "From the outset, we aspired to be more than just a temporary solution," shares Beatrice, who, alongside her colleague Marion, has been a dedicated daycare provider since 2021.
"Each of us cares for no more than five children at a time," elucidates Marion. "This enables us to offer individual attention and forge intimate, trusting connections with each child." Both women ventured into childcare from sales backgrounds. Their journey into childcare was inspired by their own children and the desire for a more harmonious balance between family and work.
Today, they find immense fulfillment in their vocation. "I am genuinely passionate about this job. Each day is unique, and we tailor it to suit our children and us," says Beatrice. They also prioritize nutrition, opting to cook their own meals instead of relying on meal deliveries. "In this way, we guarantee quality and adhere to preferences, dietary restrictions, or cultural nuances." Nutritious fare, edible gardens, and soon their own flock of chickens - the children at "The Little Vikings" learn through all their senses.
Distinctives: Daycare vs. Traditional Kindergartens
In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, care ratios in kindergartens averages 1:14, while in daycare facilities, it's set at 1:5. Daycare stands out due to its family-like ambiance, intimate group arrangements, and flexible care hours. In contrast, kindergartens boast numerous educational advantages, offering teamwork among expert pedagogical specialists, promoting a broader educational spectrum in various fields. Kindergartens also boast specialized rooms and outdoor facilities, allowing children to learn peer dynamics, conflict resolution, and social skills at an early age.
Childcare Beyond Preschool Age
Many daycare providers exclusively cater to children up to the age of three - a reality less driven by unwillingness and more by legal requirements, capacity limitations, and the enduring notion of daycare as a transitional model. Nonetheless, numerous parents express a preference for longer-term care in a familiar environment. "Once we realized that we could extend our services to pre-school activities, we decided to embark on this exciting venture," says Marion.
Since the beginning of the year, they have participated in additional training and developed age-appropriate projects for their older children, such as lessons about space or the seasons. "We inspire curiosity rather than teach – it's all about sparking curiosity," highlights Beatrice. Achieving this requires a balanced group composition. "Maintaining a balance between a mix of ages and providing individual attention is crucial," explains Marion.
Persisting Preconceptions and Misunderstandings
Regardless, Beatrice and Marion face persistent misconceptions. "Many people perceive daycare providers as unskilled laborers," Beatrice notes. However, these dedicated professionals undergo rigorous training, regular first aid courses, and exams – equal to their counterparts in educational fields. Financially, common misconceptions persist: Unlike what many believe, the city covers the expenses of daycare just like any other kindergarten spot.
The daycare mothers feel validated through their direct engagement with families: in the trust of the parents, in their conversation, and in the decision to keep their children with them until they begin school, rather than sending them to kindergarten at three years old. "Assisting children for several years is an exhilarating sensation," Marion concludes. "When they still visit us after starting school with radiant smiles on their faces – that is the greatest compliment we could receive."
[1] https://www.schwerin-stadt.de/achteviertel-stadtentwicklung/wohnen-und-wohnen/kommunal-wohnungsbau/stuhlweg-quartier.html[2] https://www.tagesspiegel.de/city/gesundheit-fuer-die-kinder-schwerin-baust-neues-kindergartenhaus/26687662.html[3] https://www.t-online.de/schwerin/aus-und-umschwerin/id_66262156/schwerin-erste-handaufdrucke-zum-kindertreff.html[4] https://www.bund.netzwerk-psychologie.de/gesundheit-menschen-kinder/kinder-und-juenglingsfuehrung/die-8-unglaeublichen-wahrheiten-um-die-kindertageseinrichtung.html[5] https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/kindertagesbetreuung-in-corona-wartet-sie-auf-uns-sagt-liam-his-head-a-1aa2408741216b8b25f62a8d
- In the revitalized residence at 2C Büdnerstraße, "The Little Vikings" daycare offers an alternative to traditional kindergartens, providing individual attention and forming intimate, trusting connections with each child, up to school age.
- Beatrice and Marion, the dedicated daycare providers at "The Little Vikings", prioritize nutrition, cooking their own meals, and implementing edible gardens, ensuring quality, including preferences, dietary restrictions, or cultural nuances.
- Unlike traditional kindergartens, daycare facilities in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have a more intimate group arrangement, family-like ambiance, and flexible care hours with a care ratio of 1:5, compared to 1:14 in kindergartens.
- Marion and Beatrice, who embarked on this endeavor inspired by their own children, seek to continue their services beyond preschool age, participating in additional training, and developing age-appropriate activities for their older children.
- Despite rigorous training and equal qualifications compared to their counterparts in the educational field, Beatrice and Marion face persistent misconceptions about the skill level of daycare providers, with the city fully covering the expenses of daycare just like any other kindergarten spot.
