Description and Stations

You will find me on a quiet one-way street at Am Bocklerbaum 5 in Essen Kray.

There is ample parking directly on the one-way street, and Kray Süd train station is just a few steps away.

The Pramenweg bus stop is also only a few minutes' walk away.

Introduction/specifics

My name is Jenny Sowa, born on 9 February 1986 in Nauen (Brandenburg).

I live with my two daughters in Essen.

I received my childcare licence from Diakonie Essen in September 2016.

I have been working as a substitute since 2016.

Since 2020, I have been working as an independent childminder with five children in my care.

The Wichtelnest II home is located on a quiet one-way street in Essen Kray at Bocklerbaum 5.

I look after five children aged between 1 and 3 years old in this apartment.

Rooms

The ground floor apartment is 57 square metres in size and divided into two rooms plus a bathroom/kitchen.

The rooms consist of a play and exercise room, a sleeping and relaxation room,

and a cosy kitchen-diner with small tables and chairs.

The bathroom is equipped with a toilet, a sink and stools, so that it can be used independently.

Each child has their own compartment in the bedroom with nappies and a change of clothes.

The hallway offers space for a small coat rack for the children, where their little jackets and shoes can be stored.

Outdoor Facilities

The apartment has a courtyard with a playground and a large lawn. It is surrounded by an evergreen bamboo hedge.

The playground has a large sandpit, two climbing frames, a large slide, a small slide for children under three and two swings.

We can ride Bobby Cars there, plant and pick flowers, build large sandcastles in the sandpit and relax :)

Daily Schedule

7 a.m. Arrival of the little elves

7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Free play and learning together

8:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Singing (welcome song, finger games, action songs, songs related to the seasons and events)

8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Preparation for breakfast (preparing food and setting the table)

9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m. Free play and learning together

10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Outdoor play or walk, depending on the weather

11:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m. Preparation for lunch (washing hands, preparing food, setting the table)

11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Lunch

12:15 p.m.–2:15 p.m. Rest time (afternoon nap or activities with books, puzzles, play dough, etc.)

2:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Snack (e.g. fruit, vegetables, millet snacks or similar)

2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Play outside or indoors, pick-up time

Food

I place great importance on a healthy and balanced nutrition.

For breakfast, for example, I have wholemeal bread with chicken sausage, cream cheese and/or cheese, always accompanied by fruit or vegetables with homemade dips.

Alternatively, I have children's muesli with fresh fruit and/or delicious scrambled eggs, accompanied by tomatoes and cucumber.

Lunch is freshly cooked, balanced and varied.

For example: pasta dishes with a variety of sauces and/or side dishes,

home-cooked stews with carrots, peas, beans, cabbage, potatoes, etc.,

I mostly avoid meat, and there is no pork.

At the beginning of each week, I create a meal plan.

The children can tell me their wishes and preferences.

I pay close attention to allergies and intolerances.

For very young children, pre-prepared food can of course be brought along.

We eat our meals together in the kitchen dining area.

Before each meal, we sing a song or say a grace.

This creates a particularly pleasant atmosphere.

rice dishes such as rice with peas and carrots, with broccoli and similar vegetables,

potato dishes such as potatoes with quark, potato gratins, etc.

Basics

I see every child as a small, individual, independent being, whom I want to be a loving and responsible companion to.

I want to encourage every child to shape and manage their own life independently.

I am always there for the children, supporting them as they explore the world, other things and themselves in a loving atmosphere.

I support the children in:

- perceiving the world and themselves with all their senses

- building bonds and trust

- living out their curiosity and thirst for knowledge

- recognising and expressing their own feelings and needs

- acquiring knowledge and skills in all areas of development

- discovering interests and abilities

Qualification

In order to ensure that your children receive appropriate educational support, I regularly attend seminars and keep up to date with the latest specialist literature.

Some examples include:

- Observation and developmental snail

- Strengthening self-esteem in children

- Observation and documentation

- Education and learning stories

Additional Offerings

Promoting physical activity:

To promote physical activity, health and exercise, I offer the children the opportunity to playfully explore their bodies in the apartment and/or on the playground.

The apartment has an exercise room with an indoor climbing frame, a ball pit and a climbing tent.

There are large cushions, bouncing horses, balancing benches, balls of various sizes and mattresses that can be pushed, pulled and carried, promoting muscle development and body awareness.

Promoting creativity:

I encourage the children's creativity through painting and crafts, which helps them develop their perception and motor skills.

Stringing beads, for example, strengthens fine motor skills and concentration.

By creating creative things, e.g. through painting, the child can express themselves emotionally.

Further achievements can also be made through kneading, puzzles, crafts and similar activities.

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Cooperations

I regularly exchange experiences with other childminders.

I am in contact with several nurseries in the local area.

I also work regularly with the Diakoniewerk Essen professional association.

Teamwork with parents

Working together with parents is very important to me.

Parents are the first educators from whom children learn and gain experience.

As a childminder, I supplement and expand on this with my skills.

Parents make important developmental and educational decisions for their child, e.g. when choosing a childminder. Regular conversations provide a good opportunity for both sides to keep up to date.

Whether it's longer conversations or a quick exchange of information between appointments, parents gain valuable insight into their child's development and progress.

I am happy to provide parents with a detailed report on their child's development and progress.

Holiday Care

In the event of illness, a childminder with free capacity will take over, so that continuous care for your children is usually guaranteed.

Please inform me about any contagious illnesses.

This is the only way to ensure that I can identify illnesses among the children in the group and respond accordingly.

I will announce my 22 days of holiday per year in December (for the coming year) so that parents have sufficient opportunity to plan and organise this time for themselves.