Inclusive Day Care Centre "Kita im Weiherwald"

The intercultural daycare center "Kita im Weiherwald" is located in one of the greenest areas of Karlsruhe. The kita hosts 42 children from the age of 1 to 6 years. The day care centre is open to all children, no matter what nationality or social background they have.

The main focus of the daycare center is the integrative concept, which means that children with or without disabilities are part of the same group. The concept of kindergarten is the social inclusion, supporting the children individually depending on their abilities.

The intercultural pedagogical offer of the Kita aims to promote social skills, strenghtening the personality and supporting independence and creativity of the child. This happens through the encouragement of curiosity and discovery: the core of the educational offer is that the interests of the children are being supported by the educators and the volunteers.

Additional excursions to museums, the city, parks or play grounds and cooperations with other institutions take place: it is essential in the pedagogical concept that the children are in contact with nature and surroundings as much as possible.

34 hours in the Kita:

• Supporting the educators in one group of children in their daily activities
• Accompanying the children in free play and excursions
• Taking part in reflections and discussions with colleagues
• supporting the kitchen (preparing, cleaning after breakfast and lunch),
• Optional - realizing your own activity with the children

4 hours in the KJW:

• Attending feedback meetings
• Helping with the organisation of intercultural events and attending them. These are mostly in the evening. 
• Organizing your own event about your culture and/or knowledge in a specific field, such as sport, art, music, university studies... This will be part of a cycle of events called „Livin‘ Culture“. You want to check out previous events? Have a look at our ESC volunteers Instagram profile!

Bonus activity: become a youth leader in summer camps

• The KJW offers a pedagogical training to become youth leader. As the training takes place in 3 weekends, you have the free choice to attend it if you are interested in the field.  
• After the training, you have the opportunity to become a summer camp youth leader. Summer camps take place in and outside of Germany and last between one and two weeks. The camps are an amazing chance for you to work and travel for free at the same time.

In addition to the general benefits as stated above, you will receive the following: 

• free lunch in the Kita 
• the opportunity to attend a free course as a youth leader, including a first aid course, climbing course and the chance to work and travel in Germany or Europe 
• an international environment in the Kita and at home and the possibility to spread your own passions in dedicated events

• Creative and open minded
• Possessing a basic knowledge of German (preferred but not mandatory)
• Motivated in working with children and all the connected duties
• Motivated in working with children with disabilities and fostering their integration
• Willing to organize events and present your own culture and knowledges
• Excited in sharing an international environment and flexible when it comes to integration