"It fills us with great joy and pride to now have another daycare center in Neumünster. The focus of our work is the individual support and encouragement of each child - for a successful start in life," says Gesa Kitschke. "With our daycare center Am Alten Stahlwerk, we are creating a lively place where up to 55 children are perceived in their uniqueness and individually accompanied in their development. It is particularly important to us to take their needs seriously and to support them in an appreciative manner on their path into life. Our holistic approach promotes their personal abilities and creates spaces for development and learning together," she says, briefly describing the concept of the daycare center.
"The new daycare center is a further step towards fulfilling the legal entitlement to a daycare place," explains Tobias Bergmann, Lord Mayor of the City of Neumünster, delightedly. "I am grateful that Diakonie Altholstein, with its high level of professionalism and reliability, is sustainably strengthening the social infrastructure of our city."
Educational concept: "Growing up with God"
"As a Christian organization, we teach the children in all of our daycare centers: "You are valuable and wanted just as you are," says Gesa Kitschke, Managing Director of Diakonie Altholstein, introducing the educational concept of the daycare centers run by Diakonie. The focus is on the children's individual abilities, their communication, the acceptance of other opinions and the right to their own feelings. The partially open concept of the daycare center offers the children the opportunity to choose independently between different functional rooms such as the studio, role-playing room and workroom after a safe arrival in the core groups. This gives the children self-determination in their everyday lives. The open breakfast from 8:30 to 10:00 and flexible meal groups at lunch from 11:30 to 13:00 also offer the opportunity to decide within these time periods when they have breakfast and when they have lunch.
Another aspect of the pedagogical concept is the topic of participation. A children's parliament with elected representatives actively participates in decisions at the daycare center. In this way, the children learn very early on what democracy means and how to live together.
Holistic family support
Experience from the family center at Anscharforum, which is located not far from the daycare center Am Alten Stahlwerk, is incorporated into the work of the new facility. Counselling rooms integrated into the building of the new daycare center enable needs-oriented services for families in the district - low-threshold, confidential and close to everyday life. A parents' café will round off the work with parents.
Sustainably planned and built
The daycare center was planned by the Kiel office "BSP Architekten BDA". "The building combines functionality with a clear sustainability claim," explains Dieter Hellwig, architect and managing director.
The daycare center is largely self-sufficient in electricity thanks to its own photovoltaic system. Ecological materials were used inside and out, including a wooden façade, clay plaster and lightweight clay walls as well as environmentally friendly wall paints. The room concept includes a canteen, exercise room and consultation rooms.
Investment in the future
The construction costs amounted to 4.7 million euros. The project was funded by the state investment program and the city of Neumünster. Around 4 million euros are being financed by Diakonie Altholstein. "The fact that we, as a social welfare organization, are not only securing the operation, but are also responsible for the construction planning through to completion, makes us proud," emphasized Managing Director Gesa Kitschke. She thanked the city of Neumünster for its constructive cooperation and all those involved in the project for their perseverance and support.
The official opening also marks the start of regular operations at the "Am Alten Stahlwerk" daycare center. "The new daycare center in the heart of Neumünster is not just creating new, urgently needed places for early childhood education and care. Here, special emphasis is also placed on a good educational concept, holistic work, opportunities for participation and sustainability. I am delighted that Diakonie Altholstein is implementing this project and I am certain that the 'Am alten Stahlwerk' facility will greatly enrich the daycare scene in the city," said Johannes Albig, State Secretary in the Ministry of Social Affairs, Youth, Family, Senior Citizens, Integration and Equality of the State of Schleswig-Holstein: "Early childhood education and care is a top priority for the State of Schleswig-Holstein. That is why we are investing more money in this area than ever before and are constantly working on improvements." He wished everyone involved - children, parents and staff - a good start in the beautiful premises of the daycare center.
Capacity and registration
In future, around 55 children can be cared for in two elementary and one mixed-age group. One mixed-age group has been in operation since August 1. A second group will start in September and the third group is planned for October.
The team of four professionals is currently looking after 15 children; another 20 children are about to settle in.
The professional team, headed by Georg Brock, is looking forward to further registrations and, above all, to nurturing the children's talents and supporting their parents.
Registrations are made via the Kitaportal Schleswig-Holstein.
Diakonie Altholstein is looking for additional employees who would like to help shape the new daycare center with their ideas. Applications are welcome on our job portal.
Contact us
Kita Am Alten Stahlwerk | Georg Brock
Rendsburger Straße 58 | 24537 Neumünster
Phone: 04321 25051700 | Email: kita-am-alten-stahlwerk(at)diakonie-altholstein.de
Picture: Dieter Hellwig, BSP Architekten, State Secretary Johannes Albig, Gesa Kitschke, Managing Director, Diakonie Altholstein, Tobias Bergmann, Mayor of Neumünster, Dr. Hans-Friedrich Traulsen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Diakonie Altholstein and GeorgBrock, Director of the Am Alten Stahlwerk daycare center (from left).