Introduction/specifics

The “Ruländerweg 1/1” daycare center and educational facility cares for up to 87 children ranging in age from one year old until they start school. Care is provided in two different areas: the under-3 years-area (U3- Krippe) and the over-3-years area (Ü3-Kindergarten).

At the Ruländerweg 1/1 daycare center, children are supported through an open-concept approach and in accordance with the infans Early Childhood Education Action Plan. The infans Early Childhood Education Action Plan is implemented in various themed rooms. The children pursue their interests and gain their own experiences in these themed rooms. In keeping with the City of Ulm’s motto, “Children: Explorers of the World,” we have also named our rooms after different worlds. For example, there is a Building World, a Color World, a Reading World, and a Movement World.

We offer the following childcare options at Ruländerweg 1/1:

The following childcare hours are available:

Option 4 (U3)

Monday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.;

Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.;

Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.;

Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.;

Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

-> Lunch provided: Yes, required.

Module 1 (U3)

Monday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.;

Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.;

Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.;

Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.;

Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

-> Lunch available: Yes, it is available.

Module 2 (U3/Ü3)

Monday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.;

Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.;

Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.;

Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.;

Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

-> Lunch provided: Yes, available.

Module 5 (U3/Ü3)

Monday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;

Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;

Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;

Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.;

Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

-> Lunch provided: Yes, it is mandatory.

Rooms

At our daycare center “Ruländerweg 1/1,” we operate according to the open-space concept. The rooms are designed around different thematic worlds, thereby supporting the children in their individual development. The children can explore the following themed rooms:

In the World of Colors, children can express their creativity—painting, crafting, gluing, cutting, and learning about various art supplies and techniques.

In the Building World, children can build and construct using many different materials.

In the Reading World, children can discover and browse a wide variety of books, as well as relax, listen to music, and hear stories.

In the Theatre World, children can take on different roles and playfully act out various situations.

In the Thinking World, children can engage in a variety of sensory experiences, play puzzles, board games, and party games, and explore various building and sorting games.

In the Movement World, children can actively develop their body awareness and motor skills through activities such as climbing, running, jumping, and balancing.

In the Creative World, children can engage in various creative projects and activities in addition to those in the Color World.

In the Enjoyment World, children prepare their own breakfast, lunch, and snacks.

Outdoor Facilities

The daycare center’s outdoor area is located in the courtyard and is fully fenced in. Here, the children can, for example, play soccer, ride toy cars, play on the lawn, climb and slide, and play in the sandbox.

The trees provide natural shade for the children, which is supplemented by umbrellas over the sandbox.

Daily Schedule

Here is a brief overview of the daily schedule at Ruländerweg 1/1. Of course, there are minor differences between the U3 and Ü3 groups, as well as other activities, such as field trips.

Daily Schedule:

7:00 a.m.                           Care begins (drop-off time until 9:00 a.m.)

7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.        Drop-off time, free play, and breakfast time for the children

9:30 a.m.                            Morning circle followed by free play

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.       Lunch and rest/nap time

1:45 p.m.                            End of care time for children in Module 2

2:00 p.m.                            Snack time for children in Modules 4 and 5

3:30 p.m.                            End of care time for children in Module 4

4:30 p.m.                            End of care hours for children in Module 5

During the times in between, free play takes place, during which the children can explore the various themed rooms on their own or participate in specific activities and field trips. Here, the children can develop and be supported in ways that align with their interests.

Food

“Eating is just as much a part of children’s learning and development process as free play—it is a basic need.”

At our center, children have the opportunity to enjoy the following meals: breakfast, lunch, and a snack.

During the open breakfast from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., children can bring their breakfast from home in a lunchbox and eat it here. For breakfast, we cut up fresh fruits and vegetables, and we also offer water and tea to drink.

For lunch, we receive deliveries from our food provider, Gasthaus Lamm in Blaubeuren/Asch. The daily lunch menu is available for viewing in front of the “Genusswelt” or in the daycare app.

Snack time is at 2:00 p.m. for full-day children and offers another opportunity to eat the food from their lunchboxes. As with breakfast, fresh fruits and vegetables are available, as well as beverages.

Basics

The foundations of educational work in the city’s child care centers are:

 • The infans Action Plan for Early Childhood Education

• The revised Orientation Plan for child care centers and family day care in Baden-Württemberg

 “The child is the architect of his or her own development.”

Quote from Maria Montessori—educational reformer

The City of Ulm incorporates this fundamental educational philosophy into its daycare centers and, using the infans Action Plan for Early Childhood Education, places the children’s individual educational processes at the center of its approach.

Core elements of the approach:

Educators observe and reflect on what is important to each individual child and which topics are currently engaging the child. These observations are documented in the child’s portfolio. Based on this, the educators develop individualized challenges for each child in line with their educational interests and learning themes. In this way, the child is supported in their learning process.

The daycare center’s team develops educational goals and integrates them into their pedagogical practice. In this way, cultural concerns, as well as the priorities of the sponsoring organization, parents, and the staff, are conveyed to the children. 4 The observations and educational goals form the foundation of the pedagogical work.

For detailed information, please visit www.infans.de.

Based on the infans action plan for early childhood education, the orientation plan is implemented at a high professional level. Within the open-structured spatial concept, the children have access to the entire building with all of its stimulatingly designed functional rooms and learning islands. Thanks to open access to all rooms, the children can explore their topics and interests in a focused manner.

This provides the children with an optimal learning environment in which they can experience a sense of community and develop a love of learning.

Although the pedagogical principles are the same across all facilities, each facility has its own unique profile.

Quality Assurance

The continuous improvement of our educational work is a top priority for us. Weekly team meetings provide an opportunity for professional exchange, reflection on educational practices, and collaborative development. Existing processes are regularly reviewed and adjusted to meet the needs of the children and their families.

In addition, our staff regularly participate in continuing education and professional development courses as part of the city’s training program.

Teamwork with school

As an institution, we are what is known as an “educational center,” which means we house all three age groups under one roof. With the nursery in the basement, the preschool on the ground floor, and the 1st and 2nd grades of elementary school on the upper floor, we bring together the three key stages of a child’s development in a single building. As a result, close collaboration with the “Adalbert-Stifter-Schule” is an important part of our work.

The transition from kindergarten to elementary school is a special step for every child. Together with the school, the family, the child, and us as an educational center, we aim to carefully support this transition and give the children a strong start in this new phase of their lives.

A liaison teacher is an integral part of this collaboration. The following activities take place as part of the partnership:

•       Supporting the transition from daycare to elementary school

•       Exchanging information and providing guidance with the daycare center

•       Conducting classroom observations and activities at the daycare center

•       School visits for preschoolers

Teamwork with parents

Collaboration with families is very important to us. We view supporting the children as a shared responsibility—and therefore maintain an open and regular dialogue with parents. Casual conversations throughout the day, as well as regular development meetings, give parents ongoing insight into their child’s development.

Once a year, we hold a parents’ evening to discuss current topics and share information about the center. In addition, we invite families to actively help shape life at the daycare—whether through celebrations or special events like Storytime.

The Parent Advisory Board plays a key role as a bridge between parents and the center. During regular meetings, we discuss concerns, requests, and organizational matters together.

Description and Stations

Due to limited parking at our facility, we recommend using public transportation, biking, or walking to get here.

You can reach our facility by taking bus lines 5, 6, or 8—get off at the Ruländerweg stop.