Description and Stations

From the A 40 motorway: Take the Essen-Kray exit. Follow Krayer Straße towards Essen-Steele. At the next intersection, turn right onto Am Zehnthof and then take the first left onto Am Bocklerbaum.

From Essen-Steele: Follow Krayer Straße for approx. 1 km towards Essen-Kray. Immediately after the railway bridge, turn left onto Am Zehnthof and then take the first left onto Am Bocklerbaum.

Parking is available directly in front of the building.

Introduction/specifics

My name is Andrea Nolten, born on 6 November 1964. I have always enjoyed looking after children and completed my training as a state-approved nursery school teacher in 1987. I have held a childcare licence since 2010.

The ‘Wichtelnest’ daycare centre at Am Bocklerbaum 7 was established in December 2011. Nine children aged between one year and kindergarten age were cared for here. Due to space constraints, the association with nine children was dissolved on 1 January 2017. I now work with five children in rented premises.

I sometimes meet up with the daycare provider from the neighbouring house in the courtyard. Ten children can then play together in the spacious courtyard.

Homepage: www.wichtelnest-essen.de

Rooms

The flat has a large kitchen-diner, which is child-friendly and where the children can eat, paint and do crafts, as well as a playroom equipped with toys, picture books, puzzles, etc., and a bedroom, which is also used for playing.

Outdoor Facilities

The inner courtyard features a large play area with a sandpit, a slide for children under three, swings, a climbing frame, a rocking horse and a large lawn area that can be used for running, playing and ball games.

Daily Schedule

7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Welcoming the children and free play.

9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Breakfast together.

9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. Craft activities or, depending on the weather, playing in the courtyard.

11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Lunch together.

12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Children's nap time.

Until 3:00 p.m. Pick-up time

Food

The children receive two meals including drinks (tea and water) from me.

In the morning, they have wholemeal bread with a choice of sausage or cheese, cucumber or bell pepper.

At lunchtime, we serve vegetables with potatoes. Once a week, we have poultry, beef or fish.

On birthdays, there is cake or cookies.

I prepare lunch fresh every morning. I do not use pork or sausage that contains pork. We pay attention to a balanced diet and try to reduce the sugar content as much as possible.

Basics

I see children as independent, individual little people with different abilities and needs, which I pay close attention to and seek to nurture through various activities. Children should be given enough freedom, e.g. in free play, to be able to realise this. My job as a teacher is to give kids a bunch of different learning experiences in different areas of development, like motor skills, language, or social skills, to help them grow into independent, confident, and responsible people. However, it is also important and necessary to set certain boundaries in order to enable children to live together harmoniously, to offer them a safe, protected space and to give them security through reliable, clear and consistent behaviour.

Quality Assurance

I am supported by the professional association ‘Diakoniewerk’ in Essen and regularly participate in further education and training courses.

Cooperations

I regularly meet with other childminders to share our experiences with each other.

Teamwork with parents

I am in close contact with the parents and have informal conversations with them almost every day. I am always available for detailed discussions with the parents.

Holiday Care

In addition, another daycare worker is available as a substitute.