Kita am Schlossplatz: Two years of creative education for little researchers!

Kita am Schlossplatz: Two years of creative education for little researchers!

The “Kita am Schlossplatz” in Münster is celebrating its two-year anniversary. The facility, which opened in August 2023, is the first daycare center at the University of Münster and is operated by the independent provider “edducare”. It is aimed primarily at children of university employees, but is also open to other children. The daycare center is located on the corner of Schlossplatz and Lazarettstrasse and can accommodate up to 75 children.

There are currently 61 children registered, 52 of whom are parents of university employees. Registrations for the 2024/25 daycare year are still possible until September 30, 2023. At the opening, the focus was on the modern rooms and the innovative concept; The daycare center extends over two floors and costs around five million euros for the new building.

Unique concept and modern premises

The daycare center offers a large entrance hall and uses educational rooms instead of the classic group rooms. Themed rooms include the “Castle of Fire,” which focuses on construction and math, and the “Castle of the Mind,” which encourages art and creativity. In the morning circle, the children find out what offers are available in the different rooms and can decide for themselves where they would like to spend their day.

The daycare center offers a total of three crèche groups and age-homogeneous groups for children aged two to five years, in addition to a preschool group. The care in this innovative facility is intended to be a second home for the children and at the same time promote the compatibility of work and family. An important aspect of the pedagogical concept is Reggio pedagogy, which is based on the ideas of the Italian reform educator Loris Malaguzzi. This pedagogy emphasizes the importance of environment and social interaction in children's learning.

In the last year of the daycare there were challenges, such as a change in the daycare management and a flu epidemic that led to temporary closures. Nevertheless, the pedagogical concept was continuously developed, which is supported by the daycare advisory board founded in May. This advisory board has the task of strengthening the connection between science and practice and supports university research projects.

Modern equipment and sustainable energy

The daycare facilities are highly valued. It has an outdoor area with play equipment, a sports room, two air-conditioned bedrooms and a research room with materials from the university. In addition, a photovoltaic system on the green roof ensures a sustainable energy supply. In the daycare center, two kitchen staff work on the ground floor to ensure that the children are fed, while an elevator provides access to the first floor.

The modern design and high-quality concept of the open educational spaces are intended to help support children in their development and prepare them for the challenges of the future. The Kita am Schlossplatz is seen as a central part of the family-friendly infrastructure of the University of Münster and thus makes a decisive contribution to the quality of life in the region.