NURSERY ABC

Agreement/Childcare agreement

Before the child can go to the nursery, an agreement must be signed. There you will find the rules for attending the nursery. It is important to read the agreement. Have any text you do not understand explained to you. You and the nursery must comply with what is written in the agreement. For example, the notice period is particularly important.

Caregiving educator

If your child is new at the nursery, someone will take special care of the new child. This person has a special relationship with the child. That is why they are called caregiving educators.

Change of clothes

Every child needs a change of clothes at the nursery, i.e. a new T-shirt, new trousers, new underwear and the like. This way, the educators can change the child’s clothes if necessary. It is important for the change of clothes to fit the season.

Check-up booklet

The paediatrician writes down all the child’s check-ups in this booklet. The check-ups are important for the child. The doctor checks whether the child is developing well. Parents must bring their child to the doctor’s appointments regularly. This keeps the child healthy.

Child protection plan

The nursery is a safe place for children. The nursery does everything to ensure that the child is taken care of as well as possible. Children should be ”made strong” in the nursery. The nursery has written down how it does this. Every nursery not only has a pedagogical plan, but also a child protection plan. It states how the child is protected in the nursery. You have the right to ask about the plan at the nursery.

Childcare hours

The time your child spends at the nursery is called childcare hours. How long your child stays at the nursery depends on your nursery voucher.
You can agree with the nursery when you will drop off and pick up your child. The times are also in the agreement. You have to stick to these times. If you pick up your child later, you will have to pay for this time. If you have an important appointment, talk to the nursery. You can usually find a solution.
Example: On one day you pick up your child earlier. In return, he/she may stay longer the next day so that you can go to a doctor’s appointment. Talk to the nursery manager as early as possible.

Concept

A concept contains the goals and values of a nursery. The nursery writes down what is important to it in its everyday life. Example: In some nurseries there is a lot of outdoor play. In some nurseries, a lot of emphasis is placed on movement. You can ask the manager about the concept. Sometimes it can also be found on the nursery’s website.

Crèche

There are also children under the age of 3 in the nursery. Their area in the nursery is called the crèche.

Deregistration/termination

Sometimes it is necessary to terminate the nursery agreement. For example, when you move. Or if you don’t like the nursery. Then you must deregister your child and terminate the agreement with the nursery. Important: There is a time limit for termination (notice period). This is in the agreement.

Development meetings

The educators observe your child’s behaviour and what he/she learns at the nursery. In a development meeting, parents and educators exchange information about the child. They report what is going well or if the child is having problems.

District administration

Hamburg is made up of several districts. Each district has its own district administration. Each district administration has a child welfare office with a nursery and day care exchange department. You can find the district administration that is responsible for you here. You only have to enter your address into the search bar.

Doorstep and casual chats

When you drop off and pick up your child at the nursery, you can have short conversations with the pedagogical staff. For example, in the morning you can tell the staff if your child has not slept well or has had a vaccination from the doctor. The educator can then react better to the child. The educator also tells you what the child did during the day at the nursery.

Drop off time / pick up time

Ask at your nursery when it is best to drop off and pick up your child and at what times it is not possible. This also depends on your nursery voucher.

Educator/SPA

Women and men work in the nursery as educators. In addition, ”social pedagogues” also work in the nursery. They are often called SPA. They are all trained educators. They all work directly with the children in the groups.

Educational Guidelines

The Educational Guidelines are rules for daycare in Hamburg. The professionals should design the daycare in such a way that the children can have a say and feel strong. Important topics are сhildren’s rights, inclusion, and education. Every child should receive a good education. The Guidelines are for professionals and parents. Everyone is invited to talk about early childhood education.

Elementary area

Most nurseries have two areas: one area for the older children from 3 – 6 years and for smaller children from 1 – 3 years. The area for the older children is called the ”elementary area”. The older children go to an elementary group.

Excursions

The nursery sometimes takes the children on excursions. For example, the children go to the zoo, the forest or the harbour. In these cases, the parents get a paper containing information. This paper details what the child needs for the excursion (for example provisions, rainwear, pocket money). Sometimes the parents have to sign something so that the child can go on the excursion.

Familiarisation period

Familiarisation period means that your child is accompanied by the parents in the nursery for the first few weeks. The child gets to know his/her caregiver and the other children. He/she also needs the parents or a close caregiver nearby in the beginning.
The familiarisation period may last up to 4 weeks. Parents must have time. The mother or father must remain close by during this time. Sometimes it takes even longer until the child can stay at the nursery for the entire time.

Group

In the nursery, the children are assigned to a group and thus to a specific room. This way, your child is with the same children and with the same teachers in the same group.
Some nurseries work based on an open plan. Then the children can independently choose which room in the nursery they would like to play in.

Group fund

Sometimes there is a group fund. There is money in the fund for group activities. The activities are for all the children in the group. Therefore, the parents have to pay some money into the group fund every month. This money is used to pay for excursions, play items or special activities.

Health guide

The health guide is a booklet. There is a lot of information about diseases in the booklet. Parents can read when they are allowed to bring their child back to the nursery after an illness.

Illnesses

A sick child should not go to the nursery. Otherwise, other children will also get sick. You must let the nursery know if your child is sick. For certain illnesses, the nursery will post a notice.

Inclusion support

In Hamburg, every child is allowed to attend a nursery. All children play and learn together here. Some children need special help at the nursery. For example, because they are physically challenged. These children then receive special help at the nursery. The parents have to apply for inclusion support.

Introduction for 4 ½ year olds

When your child is about 4 ½ years old, there is an important event at the primary school. The invitation for this event will be sent by post. This event is to see if your child is fit for school. All parents must attend this event.
The schools work closely with the nursery. Nurseries hold a discussion with parents before this event. The development of the child is recorded. If you agree, the school will be informed about the discussion.

Language development (formerly: Language support)

Speaking is also practised and the German language is learned in the nursery. In some nurseries there is a special focus on language education. So-called language specialists also work here. They support the pedagogical specialists in paying special attention to language education. Language development happens in the morning circle, by reading aloud or by singing together. Simple exercises within the nursery’s routine also help. This is called integrated routine. Language learning and practice take place in the nursery’s normal routine.

Legal right

In Hamburg, every child from 1 to 6 years has the right to 5 hours of free nursery per day. This right can be enforced in court.

Midday nap

In the crèche, almost all children take a nap after lunch. Only a few children still take a nap in the elementary area. The older children rest. Parents can ask the nursery how long their child has slept.

Notice

In the nursery there is usually an information board or a notice board. Parents often find notices here. There, the parents are informed about various things (for example, summer festivals, illnesses, etc.).

Notice period

A notice period is specified in each agreement. If a change of nursery or a move is imminent, the agreement must be terminated in good time. If you do not cancel in time, you will have to continue paying the nursery fees for this nursery. This can cost up to 900 euros a month.

Nursery

The nursery is a place where children play and learn during the day. The parents work, study or do housework. In the nursery, children learn important things even before they start school. They do gymnastics and handicrafts as well as solve conflicts. They make friends and learn German. Kita (nursery) is the abbreviation for the German word Kinder-Tages-Stätte.

Nursery manager/assistant manager

The manager or assistant manager is the head of the nursery. They have the first conversations with all parents. The parents submit the agreement to the nursery manager.

Nursery place verification procedure

Sometimes nurseries do not have an open place. If you cannot find a place, you can contact the district administration. It will then help you in your search. The so-called ”nursery place verification procedure” is started. We have explained exactly how this works here: What can I do if I can’t find a nursery place?

Nursery voucher

In Hamburg, every child from the age of 1 has the right to go to a nursery for up to 5 hours a day free of charge. The family needs a nursery voucher for this. This must be requested at the district administration. More hours may be requested under certain circumstances.

Parent representative

Every year, the parents elect two parent representatives per nursery group. The parent representatives communicate with parents, nursery staff and the manager. They advocate for the interests of children and parents. Anyone who wants to can be elected as a parent representative.

Parental contribution / family co-payment

The City of Hamburg pays for 5 hours of nursery per day. This applies to all children between 1 and 6 years. For more care, the family has to pay extra. This contribution is called the ”parental contribution” or ”family co-payment”. It is based on the family’s income.

Parents’ council

The parents’ council consists of parents whose children attend the nursery. They serve as contact persons for parents, nursery staff and the nursery manager. The nursery informs the parents’ council about upcoming decisions.

Parents’ evening

Every year, the parents elect two parent representatives per nursery group. The parent representatives communicate with parents, nursery staff and the manager. They advocate for the interests of children and parents. Anyone who wants to can be elected as a parent representative.

Participation

Participation means taking part. The children are involved in decision-making at the nursery. For example, they get to help decide what to eat or which excursion to go on next. There is usually more information about this in the nursery’s concept. Mothers and fathers can also participate in the nursery. This is also called parent participation.

Parties

The nursery regularly throws parties on special occasions. For example, carnival, a summer party or Christmas. Parents are also invited. The nursery is happy if parents help with preparation or bring something to eat.

Photos

Photos are taken in the nursery. All parents are asked for permission beforehand.

Pre-school

In Hamburg, children can spend the last year before starting school either in the nursery or in a pre-school. The manager can tell you if a pre-school year is offered at the nursery. Iin the nursery, the last year before school is called the ”bridge year”.

Registration

If parents like a nursery, the parents can register the child. This process is called registration. The nursery has a fixed place for your child. Signing up on a prospect list is not a firm registration.

Vaccination/vaccination card

Vaccination makes children immune to diseases. The paediatrician writes which vaccinations the child has already had on the vaccination card.

Weekly schedule

Many nurseries have a regular weekly schedule. This means that there is a regular schedule on certain days. This could be sports, music or an excursion, for example.

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