The supervised playgroups at the Family Center were merged on April 1, 2013, to form the toddler group Lorettostrolche. Lorettostrolche now offers qualified care and individual support for 10 children aged 1 year until kindergarten entry. This toddler group represents a core morning childcare offering within Tübingen’s diverse early childhood education landscape.
For many children, it’s their first experience being apart from their parents for an extended period, while forming a bond with another adult caregiver. At the same time, they are supported in their individual development and introduced to early social rules. They gain valuable first group experiences — while still enjoying plenty of family time in the afternoons.
For parents, this is often the first time they are entrusting their child to someone else’s care for a longer stretch of time. While they can no longer be part of every new experience, they gain small moments of freedom for their own activities.
That’s why we place great importance on a gentle, child-centered settling-in period. Children are given sufficient time to build a trusting relationship with one of the educators in the presence of a parent, and to begin to see this caregiver as a reliable source of comfort. The settling-in period is also important for parents: they get to know the daily group routine and start forming connections with other families. The length of this phase varies by child, but you should plan for at least 3 to 4 weeks.
Our educators treat the children as partners, approaching them with sensitivity and empathy. Our educational focus lies both on nurturing and supporting each individual child—their interests, capabilities, and needs—as well as on strengthening the social cohesion within the group.
Each day, the children experience a mix of free play and guided group activities in a carefully designed, stimulating environment. These activities include singing and finger games in a circle, arts and crafts, shared rituals, communal breakfast, and small excursions to nearby playgrounds.
Children are supported in developing their creativity, perception, motor skills, and language, and are also guided in social learning, basic hygiene, and the principles of healthy nutrition.
The educators maintain regular and open communication with parents. In addition to the initial intake meeting, there are frequent informal conversations during drop-off and pick-up times, helping to ensure smooth daily transitions between home and the childcare setting. At the end of the group phase—usually around the child’s third birthday—a developmental conversation is offered to reflect on the child’s learning journey, growth, strengths, and interests. Each child’s time in the group is also documented in a personal portfolio, which parents receive when their child leaves the group.
The toddler group is organized as a parent initiative, in collaboration with the board of elkiko. elkiko serves as the official managing organization and handles administrative responsibilities, and parents actively support elkiko as members and may also assist in the group when needed through parent duty shifts.