Langenbach's nature kindergarten receives harsh criticism of "conscious simplicity"

A graduate engineer criticizes the construction of the Langenbach forest kindergarten.

He speaks of a "faulty design".

Town hall and kindergarten management vehemently disagree.

Langenbach

- The allegations are serious. Engineer Lorenz Hausruckinger, in an armored FT letter to the editor, does not leave the nature kindergarten on the old Inkofener Strasse good. He wonders: "How can it happen that a building, and a wooden structure at that, is already in the groundwater before it is occupied." cost a few thousand euros. ”According to Hausruckinger, the rebuilding of the“ well over 100,000 euros ”branch of the“ Mooshäusl ”kindergarten will not help. In his opinion, the modern building remains piecemeal. Even sheet metal cladding against moisture could not do anything about this. He fears that "rat holes" could arise. On top of that. Hausruckinger is bothered bythat there is no electricity and no water connection in the forest kindergarten. The children “should go to the dry toilet and wash their hands in the bucket,” complains Hausruckinger. He considers the operating costs for the disposal of the "constantly accumulating faeces" to be considerable.

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The kindergarten management counters this with an educational concept, according to which it is precisely the purpose and purpose to introduce the children to nature. Manager Silvia Aumüller said on request: “Children need exercise, encounter with nature. We made a conscious decision for a nature group. The building itself is ideal because it provides protection from extreme weather, is spacious and well insulated. The house should remain simple, this corresponds to the intention of a nature group. The main focus remains on the group outdoors. The building with a simple composting toilet and wood-burning stove should consciously allow the children to experience simplicity. ”Deputy Monika Ziegltrum adds that the children are already busy using the almost finished building. They were enthusiastic. "It's the dream, a real piece of cake," says Ziegltrum.“We'd be happy to invite Mr. Hausruckinger once,” she suggests with reference to a planned open day.

Building authority manager Peter Kiessling believes Hausruckinger's allegations are unfounded. From his technical point of view, there could be no question of bad planning. "That is simply wrong," said Kiessling. The height quotas were strictly adhered to during construction. The building authority manager attributes the need to raise the building to an unprecedented heavy rain event. In terms of the altitude, however, the building is now on the safe side. The building authority manager also does not see the risk of moisture penetration.

In view of the criticism, Mayor Susanne Hoyer is important that everything has been coordinated from the outset - with the kindergarten management and with the responsible authorities.

As an example, she cites the “specialist center for day-care centers” - especially when it comes to hygiene and the equipment of a shelter for a nature group.

Hoyer refers to the pedagogical concept that one pursues with the outside group.

Accordingly, "nature as a teacher on the children's development path" should be in the foreground.

Hoyer is convinced that this claim will be met.

Alexander Fischer