Plans for a forest kindergarten in Polling: even the local council applauded

Created: 02/17/2022, 16:00

By: Bernhard Jepsen

Yurt of the "Nature Kindergarten" in Oberhausen, which is run by the association "Natürlich!

– Understanding nature” has been in operation for some time.

© Dörrzapf/Archive

Nature as a place to learn, play and experience at any time of the year and in any weather: this is what a forest kindergarten in Polling will soon be offering to the target group – under the sponsorship of the association “Natürlich!

– Understanding nature” The starting signal could already be given for the new kindergarten year in September.

Polling -

It is actually rather rare in the municipal council that the council members knock on the tables in recognition of a decision and the visitors applaud, but in the most recent meeting it was time again - namely after the concept presentation for a forest kindergarten in Polling.

Of course, nothing has been decided yet, but the municipal council signaled with its unanimous vote that it supports the plans of the “Natürlich!

– Understanding nature” is positively opposed.

The town hall administration should now take further steps, including the approval process and the determination of a suitable forest plot.

Infrastructure of the forest kindergarten "comparatively easy, quick and inexpensive to implement

A clearing near the cave at Schafsbichl in the southwest of the monastery village is under discussion as a location.

Nothing more than a simple yurt is to be set up there - i.e. a "kindergarten (almost) without roof and walls" is to be created, as stated in the association's PowerPoint presentation presented by Mayor Martin Pape (CSU).

The scenery of the forest kindergarten is essentially nature.

The infrastructure, it was said, was "comparatively simple, quick and inexpensive to implement".

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The presentation was flanked by reports from the educator Ursula Krötz and the parents' representative Franziska Schlickenrieder.

The "Of course!

– Understanding Nature eV” already runs forest kindergartens in Huglfing and in Oberhausen.

A third facility is now to be built in Polling.

Krötz ("I am a convinced forest educator") emphasized the advantages of her field of activity: The children are very active outdoors in nature, socially adjusted and much more relaxed and resilient: "It's wonderful," stated Krötz.

Forest kindergartens – there are now over 2000 across Germany – may still be something “unfamiliar” for some.

However, the organizational operation does not differ from a regular kindergarten.

And: “It is also strict.

The children have to follow rules in the forest.”

The forest kindergarten should complement the existing local kindergartens, not compete with them

Krötz and Schlickenrieder expressly emphasized that they do not want to create any competition with the existing kindergartens in Polling.

"It's about working together." The whale kindergarten was intended as a "supplementary offer": "It enhances a community," says Krötz.

Not every child is suitable for a natural kindergarten - however: "Children are not made of cotton wool.

There is only wrong clothing, but no wrong weather.”

"Naturally!

- Understanding nature" has an operating license as a supporting association in accordance with the Social Security Code.

The pedagogy is based on the Bavarian education and training plan.

The supervision key is designed for three supervisors in the core time.

Children from the age of two and a half are specified as the target group.

The contribution rates correspond to those of the community day-care center.

The forest kindergarten concept was well received by the municipal council: "We think it's great," enthused Petra Buchner (CSU), as did Robert Erhard (UWPEO): "I think it's strong.

I would have liked a kindergarten like that for my children, but unfortunately they are already of school age.” The new kindergarten year at Schafsbichl could start as early as September: “The staff and the yurt are there,” says Krötz.

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