Our mission — the kindergarten as a daycare centre that complements family life

Target market

The St. Leonhard daycare centre has 35 full-time places. A baby group with 6 places for children from 2 to 3 months up to approx. 3 years. Two groups of mixed ages with 12 or 13 places between the ages of 3 and approx. 12. Children who grow up with us have the option of moving internally to our “Mittagstisch” lunchtime and afternoon club (part of the “Tagesstruktur” scheme).
We are a socio-educational institution providing daycare that complements family life for children from all social and cultural backgrounds. Our places are open to children whose parents or guardians live in Basel-Stadt. In exceptional cases, we also take in children from the neighbouring Canton of Basel-Land. The monthly parental contribution is based on the guidelines of the education department of Basel-Stadt. Children whose parents live in Basel-Land, pay the full amount.
We aim for there to be a good mix of social and cultural backgrounds. We do not tolerate any racism or xenophobia, and we require parents and any authorities involved to be tolerant and constructive in their interactions. We look after normally gifted children and we are very much willing to integrate children with disabilities (such as Down's syndrome etc.). Through close contact with the child’s main caregivers, we endeavour to organise the children’s day-to-day life constructively, including for children in difficult life circumstances.

We expect our staff to be willing to develop. Tolerance, acceptance, teamwork, process-oriented thinking and acting, critical abilities and self-reflection etc. are not just buzzwords we throw around because that’s what’s expected of us. In line with intercultural values, we should approach each other with interest and enable experiences without losing our own identity.
Working in child education means being willing to self-reflect. We meet this requirement by offering an understanding team in which members can take the necessary personal development steps.

Regular meetings:

For the training of interns:

1 For the training of the FaBe (childcare professionals): qualification according to the internal grid
Instructions according to the internal requirements for interns
2-weekly activities planning, implementation and reflection

Für die Ausbildung der FaBe:

The internal FaBe training concept governs all the requirements that have to be covered over the course of 3 years (FaBe = childcare professional)
Didactic planning 5 to 6 times a year – implementation and analysis according to the internal working paper, along the same lines as the final exam, and in the third year an advanced practical work (VPA).
2-weekly activity planning, implementation and written reflection in conjunction with the set learning objectives/learning steps.
2 yearly qualification according to internal grid
Once a year qualifications with all other staff members

General matters

It is the responsibility of the centre management to address and discuss current topics with the staff members as part of everyday working life and to develop constructive solutions together with the staff.
We aim to solve problems within the team, by consulting with children and parents or using the mediation approach. When this is not possible, there is the option of seeking external professional help for the situation.

Es liegt in der Verantwortung der Heimleitung, im Alltag und im täglichen Kontakt mit den Mitarbeitenden aktuelle Themen aufzunehmen, auszudiskutieren, zu klären und gemeinsam konstruktive Lösungen zu erarbeiten.
Es ist unser Bestreben, Probleme im Team, mit Kindern und Eltern intervisorisch oder mit Hilfe des mediativen Ansatzes zu lösen. Sollte das in einzelnen Fällen nicht möglich sein, besteht die Möglichkeit, situativ externe professionelle Hilfe anzufordern.

Recognition of and respect for the child's personality at all levels.
Individual support of personal development.
Promoting social interaction in small and larger groups.
Children should feel at ease and safe, emotionally, physically and mentally.
Whenever possible, children living in difficult circumstances are given support.
We strive for cooperation within the team to be based on democratic principles. This also applies to the way we care for the children entrusted to us.
We do not tolerate racism or xenophobia.
We respect other cultures and religions without neglecting our own beliefs and practices.
We eat in a pleasant atmosphere that appeals to the senses where children have the chance to relax and experience the community and where there is opportunity for exchange.
We do not force anyone to eat. There is always enough to drink (water/tea).
We value age-appropriate teaching of good table manners in accordance with our social norms.

We are in daily contact with the parents.
We invite parents to attend regular meetings. We inform them about their child’s level of development, we talk to them about our observations, and we listen to the parents’ wishes and suggestions.
In the spring, we invite the parents to a parent-and-child breakfast; on a Saturday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. the parents have the chance to meet new people and reconnect with others.
At the end of the year we invite the parents to our end-of-year party; (e.g. intercultural party) from 5 p.m. to 8/9 p.m.
We treat the parents with respect. Our work complements family life.

The management board has overall responsibility for the St. Leonhard daycare centre. The institution is entered into the Basel-Stadt commercial register (CHE-107.733.601) as an association. It was opened on 1 June 1889. Our internal and external relationships are governed by statutes.