News & Projects

“From small to large – the animals are on the loose at Campulino”

...this was the theme of our big in-house project this year. 

• As they do every year, the children at our nursery voted democratically to choose the project that interested them most from a shortlist of three topics. From May until early June, the nursery was buzzing with animal-themed activities during regular open sessions in the nursery area, in the lunchtime circles of the core groups, and in the crèche groups. 
• The children in the nursery groups focused mainly on ‘native animals’ from our local area. In the ‘Green Groups’, particular attention was paid to the squirrel, which had built a nest in a tree in our ‘Grüne Langeweile’ garden and which we regularly encounter on our walks.
• In the ‘Blue Groups’, the animals of the ‘meadow’ habitat were examined in particular detail. The children searched for firebugs and snails every day, which gave rise to the idea of creating a ‘snail faunarium’. All the snails the children found in the garden were placed inside. Equipped with bark, fresh vegetables every day and a watering system, the snails felt so at home that we were able to observe many snail eggs after just a short time. Of course, we also explored many other native animals, their respective families, food chains and habitats together with the children. 
• In the nursery groups, the ‘Orange Group’ focused specifically on native forest animals, whilst the ‘Yellow Group’ concentrated on aquatic animals. The nursery teachers decorated the group rooms with great creativity. Books and animal figures were used in particular to bring the project to life. 
• This year, we celebrated the conclusion of our project at our “Children’s Day party” on 4 June.
• Stations where the children could guess animal tracks, get creative and demonstrate their dexterity were just as popular as the animal face painting or our highlight in the “Green Boredom” area. In this part of the garden, a female hunter and a forester, together with her dog, were waiting for our inquisitive “Campulinos”. Here, the children were free to ask all sorts of questions; they looked at antlers and pictures, and were told about the responsibilities of the job, what the dog is actually capable of, and how it assists the hunter. 
• With the help of our large ‘talking wall’, on which many pictures, information and finished products relating to our project were displayed – and which grew daily – the children were able to show their parents what they had been working on. 
• The house project was once again a resounding success this year, and we are already looking forward to seeing what the theme will be next year. 

On 4 July 2023, our Campulino nursery held its annual summer party. And at the same time, we celebrated our nursery’s 5th birthday! There were little gifts, delicious food, fantastic performances by the little ones and an exciting treasure hunt around the nursery grounds.

We’re already looking forward to next year!

Together with our children, we celebrated their special day.

In keeping with the ‘Building and Constructing’ project, the children were divided into building teams. One pre-schooler acted as site manager and ensured that all building tasks were completed.

The building teams tackled eight different stations. These included: hammering a nail into wood with the fewest blows, painting a house blindfolded, completing an obstacle course and transporting building materials, building a watertight beaver dam, constructing the tallest tower out of cardboard boxes, solving construction puzzles, identifying tools by touch, and recreating structures.

After a job well done, they were rewarded with an ice cream to cool down.

Finally, the best construction team was chosen and awarded a medal.

We’d been waiting, planning and thinking about it for a long time. Now the time had finally come!

• Since 29 August 2022, our children have been using the newly refurbished rooms in the nursery area.
• Many thanks once again to our parents for their active support; without them, the refurbishment would not have been possible.
• The newly designed learning spaces offer a stimulating, clearly structured environment with materials presented in an appealing way.
• Each room is complemented by thematically appropriate books, pictures and changing materials, designed to stimulate the children in a variety of ways.
• Experiences of self-efficacy, initiative and a desire to explore through research, building or creating are at the forefront of play in the learning spaces.
• The range of materials and the layout of the rooms are tailored to the children’s needs and interests, as well as their own observations. As a result, every single room is in a state of constant change.
• It is of great importance that the children can identify with the rooms: recognising their own artwork, constructions, photos and personal belongings. True to the motto: document rather than decorate.
• The rooms are designed by educators who are experts capable of delving into the many aspects of the themes within the rooms. This process requires the educators to be attentive and to possess a childlike curiosity. “Children need other children and things to play with, but not toys.” (A. Wieland)
• With this in mind, we try to recreate the children’s everyday world for them, in which they can construct their own reality. (Stephanie Fischer)