Ostfildern shows: Kita Blütenzauber” is transforming into a model school!

Ostfildern shows: Kita Blütenzauber” is transforming into a model school!

The “Blütenzauber” daycare center has recently been reorganized in Ostfildern. After a change of ownership from the former Catholic institution “Arche”, the social association In Via, part of the Rottenburg-Stuttgart diocese, was able to take over management. The children themselves chose the new name of their daycare center, which strengthens their identification with the facility. At a ceremonial opening, a play was performed that focused on the growth of flowers. Mayor Christof Bolay praised the successful takeover and the positive changes it brings, such as the new, reliable childcare times, from which many parents benefited. Before the change, there were often problems with shortened care times, which posed challenges for many working parents.

The new provider In Via has not only optimized the care times, but also filled all positions in the daycare center. This is particularly pleasing as the shortage of skilled workers in the industry represents a major challenge. In Via offers attractive working conditions and plans to offer training positions to counteract this. The “Blütenzauber” daycare center now looks after 75 children from up to 40 nations, which underlines the multicultural environment of the facility. In Via also pursues a holistic concept that takes social justice into account. The children have breakfast, lunch and dinner together, which promotes community building.

Expansion of care offerings

Parallel to the success of the “Blütenzauber” daycare center, another pilot project in Ostfildern shows promising approaches to combating the shortage of skilled workers. A new care offer was introduced at the Kunterbunt daycare center in Nellingen. This offer includes additional play and care times, which will be expanded to several groups by the end of 2027. The local council has decided by a large majority to take the necessary steps to meet the increasing need for flexible care solutions. From September 2024, a playtime group will be available regularly at Kita Kunterbunt, which will complement the existing care structures.

This playtime group is supported by the Malteser relief service and aims to close gaps in care. The pedagogical specialists concentrate on the core tasks in the morning, while specially trained staff organize the playing time. An integral part of the program is the handover from the specialist to the team member, which guarantees seamless support. With 19 children already registered, it is clear that the offer is generating great interest. Feedback from parents and the educational team is consistently positive, as the additional hours of care relieve the burden on working parents.

Outlook and challenges

The city of Ostfildern plans to expand the concept to other daycare centers such as Kita Kinderwelt in order to offer up to eight groups by 2027. The annual effort for implementation amounts to around 540,000 euros. However, challenges are also highlighted: the city is having difficulty recruiting sufficient educational specialists, and some parents and specialists have reservations about alternative care models. However, the positive experiences from Nellingen with the new seasons offer promising approaches to improving the provision of high-quality care in Ostfildern.