Settling in with the Stadtküken.

A good start to daycare begins with trust—and we take the time to build that. Our adjustment period is divided into three gentle phases: Arrival, Being There, and Participation. Every child is allowed to settle in at their own pace, accompanied by a trusted caregiver and a sensitive team.

Before we get started: Before the adjustment period begins, we’ll hold a personal intake interview. During this meeting, we’d like to get to know your child and your family better: What does your child need? What helps them thrive? What’s important to you? You’ll also receive an information packet with all the important details about the daily schedule, our facilities, and our educational approach—so you can be well-prepared for a smooth start.

Settling In: During the first phase, a primary caregiver stays with the child in the group. The child is allowed to observe at their own pace, form initial impressions, and gradually build trust—in the environment, the caregiver, and the other children.

Being Present: Once the child feels more secure, the “being present” phase begins. The child moves around the room more independently and begins to accept initial interactions, while the caregiver remains present. During this time, we also begin introducing brief separations, which we handle very gently.

A special companion in this phase is our Care App—an app for parent communication through which we send you photos or short messages from daycare life. This helps you approach the first steps of separation with a good feeling and see how your child is gaining their first experiences without you.

Participation: In the final phase, your child becomes more and more a part of the group. They actively participate in daily life, find a sense of direction in recurring rituals, and build strong relationships. Separation times are gradually extended until the child feels secure and settled.

We tailor the adjustment period to each child’s individual needs, with care and in close collaboration with you. No child is rushed, and no goodbye goes unaccompanied. Because a secure start is the foundation for a trusting experience at daycare—and that’s exactly why we’re here.

As parents, you play an important role in your child’s adjustment from the very beginning. During the first few days, stay close to your child so they feel safe and find the comfort they’re used to in your presence. Gradually, you can step back a bit and stay in a designated spot in the room—that way, you’re still there, but your child can explore on their own. This gentle approach is important for you as parents, too: Step by step, you’ll build trust and know that your child already has a primary caregiver by their side when the first separation occurs.

Yes, every settling-in period at our center is as individual as the child is and proceeds at the child’s own pace. We don’t have a rigid schedule; instead, we adapt flexibly based on how your child responds and what they need. Our teachers observe your child closely and coordinate each next step closely with you as parents.

A reliable caregiver provides children with a sense of security, guidance, and safety in their daily lives. Especially during the adjustment period, it is important for them to have a consistent caregiver who is attuned to their needs and responds to them with sensitivity.

Sometimes, however, children intuitively choose a different caregiver than was originally planned. That, too, is perfectly fine. After all, what matters isn’t who takes on this role, but that the child is able to build a trusting and loving relationship.

A clear, loving goodbye to your child is very important to us. Even though it might be tempting to sneak away quietly, we strongly advise against it—your child would notice that you’re suddenly gone and might lose trust in you. Instead, a brief goodbye ritual is better: for example, a hug, a kiss, a wave, or the same short phrase every time, so your child knows that you’re leaving and will come back later. A recurring ritual like this provides a sense of security, and before long it will become a familiar routine that your child can even look forward to.

We base our work on the Berlin Settling-In Model, which calls for a gentle and gradual separation process. During the first few days, the focus is on building a relationship between your child and their primary caregiver, while parents or trusted individuals remain nearby. Only once your child has accepted the caregiver as a trusted figure do we attempt the first brief separation—and even after that, we remain flexible in adapting to the child’s needs. This model provides your child with the necessary sense of security because we can tailor the process carefully and individually.

You can help your child get ready for daycare in a playful way by fostering positive curiosity and anticipation ahead of time. For example, tell stories about your own experiences at daycare or look at picture books about daycare together. It’s also helpful if your child gets used to being cared for by other familiar people from time to time: Maybe they can spend an hour or so with their grandparents or a babysitter before daycare starts. This way, your child learns that you’ll always come back, and saying goodbye at daycare will be easier for them.

If tears flow when it’s time to say goodbye, we’re of course there for your child with love and care. Our teachers will comfort your child with empathy and show them that they understand their feelings. We don’t rush anything; instead, we respond to your child with care and adjust the adjustment period if the separation comes too soon or if your child needs more support. It’s important that your child feels: It’s okay to be sad, and we’ll stay by their side until they can smile again.

At our daycare, we want your child to feel comfortable not only with the teachers but also within the group of children. As soon as your child is ready, we gently encourage interaction with the other children—your child can make friends and participate in group activities at their own pace. During the third phase of adjustment, you’ll usually notice that your child is actively becoming part of the group and is proud to play with the others. We make sure to pick up on your child’s interests and preferences and show them: “We see you, and you belong here.” —this builds trust, and strangers become playmates.