Settling-in Period

Settling into kita is a major challenge for every child. The child must adapt to a new environment and build relationships with people who are new to them. There's a changed daily routine, new situations, and daily separation from parents. Parents must be prepared to take the time to support their child. The settling-in period for each child can vary. Parents should plan for at least three to five weeks for an optimal settling-in phase​

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Gentle acclimatization process in close cooperation with parents

We acclimatize the children according to their age, their experience with groups of children and their individual needs. Settling in is essential for quality education and childcare. Only when the child has gained confidence and is familiar with the facility, daily routine, new caregivers and other children, can he or she learn, express himself or herself and feel at ease. During this phase, we remain in close contact with the parents as they also need reassurance and can then pass this on to their child.​​

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Individual Support

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To ensure a personalized and gentle settling-in period, we place great importance on introducing each child to kita routine individually and with plenty of attention. Each child is accompanied by a teacher during the settling-in period. The settling-in period and the designated teacher are determined by the kita. The first settling-in period usually begins in August after the summer break. A new child joins every one to two weeks. Acclimatization outside of the settling-in period is only offered if a spot becomes available in the group during the current kita year.

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A get-to-know-you session and an individual settling-in meeting take place before the first day of the kita. Our goal is a gentle settling-in phase. Therefore, it is important that parents are familiar with the kita's pedagogical concept and approaches.

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The Settling-in Period based on the Berlin Model of Familiarization.

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We acclimatize the children according to the Berlin Model of Familiarization. 

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First Days

During the first three days, the child will be at the kita for approximately 1 to 1.5 hours with a parent or caregiver. There will be no separation attempts in the first few days. We will use this time to build up a foundation of trust and invite the child to play and get to know other children. The parent or caregiver should exercise restraint when interacting with the child.

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First Week
After a few days (depending on the child's behavior), the parent or caregiver will be asked to leave the room or kita for approximately 10-20 minutes. We will then extend these times without the parent or caregiver so that the child becomes accustomed to us as the new caregiver and allows us to comfort, change and accompany him or her. 

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Up from the second week

The separation periods will be extended from the second week until the child can comfortably spend two hours at kita. Only then will your child have lunch with us. Once the child has become accustomed to mealtimes and drop-offs in the mornings, the next phase will be the first nap in the kita. In daily discussions with the teacher, the first separation, the first lunch, and the first nap will be agreed upon.

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After the settling-in period

Even after the settling-in period, the child should be picked up ideally between 3:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., but no later than 4:00 p.m for the first few weeks. Care during early and late shifts (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 3:30/4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.) is only possible after a successful settling-in period and after consultation with the educators.

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Final settling-in meeting after 6 weeks

At the end of a successful settling-in period, but earliest after 6 weeks, a final settling-in meeting takes place with the teacher. The settling-in period is successfully completed when the child can play, be comforted, makes contact, eats and naps in the kita without parents.

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