“Grüne Wolke” – Name and Concept at the Same Time
The book “Die Grüne Wolke” was published in Reinbek in 1973. A.S. Neill had already published it in London in 1938 under the title “The Last Man Alive: A Story for Children from the Age of Seven to Seventy”. The story told there originates from tales shared with his schoolchildren at Summerhill. Of course, “The Last Man Alive” is no name for a kindergarten, which is why we decided on the German name when we founded it.
The daycare center “Grüne Wolke e.V. Spanish-German Daycare” is intended to be an anti-authoritarian institution in the spirit of A.S. Neill (1883–1973). Thus, the emotional well-being of the children in particular, but also of the staff and parents, is nurtured alongside their social and cognitive development. We want every child to be happy and contented. This forms the foundation of a dignified life, leading to self-awareness and self-confidence—which, among other things, is a prerequisite for successful learning. “Grüne Wolke” is self-managed in order to realize these goals.
Anti-authoritarian education is often confused with laissez-faire. The goal of our education is to set boundaries and objectives that are understandable and age-appropriate for the children. The build-up of false authority is avoided here through a democratic structure, self-determination, and education without fear.
Educational Concept
The detailed concept as a PDF document can be downloaded.
Daily routine, group structure, activities, fees
Our opening hours:
Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Drop-off times: 8:00 am to 8:20 am and 9:00 am to 9:20 am
Pick-up times: 1:15 pm, 3:00 pm, and 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Our meals:
Breakfast: 8:30 am to 9:00 am
Lunch: approx. 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
Snack: from 3:30 pm
All meals are vegetarian, and the food comes from certified organic farming. The meals are freshly prepared in our own kitchen.
The group:
20 places – mixed ages – from 1 year old until school entry. Integrative facility for the inclusion of children with special needs. We have space for 2–3 inclusion children, who are specifically supported by our specialist inclusion educator.
Languages:
The goal is to establish Spanish and German as equal languages of communication in the daycare. Language acquisition in both languages takes place through immersion; there are no language courses. The morning circle is held alternately, sometimes in German and sometimes in Spanish. The languages are used according to the “one person, one language” principle: two educators speak German and two speak Spanish with the children. In our team, the languages are spoken by native speakers.
Regular activities:
Pottery: every two weeks in the afternoon, with Ruth Stolzenberg.
Early childhood music education: with drums and various African instruments with Akinola, a music educator from Nigeria.
Songs and dances: with professional piano accompaniment.
We go outside every day, whatever the weather!
In addition:
Yoga, games with pedagogical guidance, riding bicycles and balance bikes, visits to theaters and museums, forest days, projects, trips to Volkspark Friedrichshain, and much more …
Fees:
The facility is state-subsidized and receives funding per place from the Senate.
The Youth Welfare Office (Jugendamt / Kindertagesbetreuung) of the district responsible for the child’s place of residence determines the care requirements and issues the childcare voucher (Kita-Gutschein). At the same time, the district office sets the monthly parental contribution. Additionally, parents become members of the association upon signing the care contract. The association charges an additional monthly fee of €50 for admission fees, materials, pottery firing costs, additional meals, organic food, etc.
Naturally, we work according to the Berlin Education Program (Berliner Bildungsprogramm).
As a parent-initiative daycare center, Grüne Wolke e.V. is organized under the umbrella association of Berlin children’s and students’ initiatives (DaKS e.V.).