Nature as our most valuable place of learning.

A day with the Stadtküken is characterized by mindfulness, a connection to nature, and the children’s active participation in shaping the experience.

In the morning, the day begins with a warm welcome and a quiet arrival time, during which each child settles into the group at their own pace. Afterward, we gather for morning circle: Here, there’s time for conversation, singing together, small rituals, and planning the day—the children’s ideas are just as important as the suggestions from the staff.

A large part of the day is spent outdoors: in the garden, in the woods, or in nearby natural areas. There, the children are free to explore, discover, and play. They experience the seasons firsthand and learn to engage with nature using all their senses. This often leads to situations where the children decide for themselves how to shape their environment and which projects they’d like to pursue together with others.

We come together for meals in a respectful atmosphere. We focus on a healthy, balanced diet and make a point of taking time to eat together. Here, too, the children are encouraged to take on responsibilities, such as setting the table or serving food.

Throughout the day, periods of free play alternate with activities designed to foster the children’s creativity, love of movement, and curiosity. Quiet breaks, spaces to retreat, and moments of mindfulness are an integral part of the day—this allows each child to find their own balance between activity and rest.

In short: A day with the Stadtküken is colorful, lively, and close to nature—and always guided by the commitment to support each child individually and provide them with a space to grow.

Nature plays a central and irreplaceable role in the children’s development at Stadtküken.

When children interact with nature, they experience themselves and their environment in a particularly primal and intense way. They gather experiences through all their senses: the rustling of leaves, the smell of soil and flowers, observing animals, or feeling the wind and rain on their skin. These direct experiences not only promote physical health and activity but also foster children’s emotional well-being and resilience.

Furthermore, nature offers endless opportunities for learning: A beetle crawling across the path can serve as a starting point for curious questions and small research projects. Children learn to understand how things are connected, to take on responsibility, and to discover the diversity of life with wonder. This fosters a lasting awareness of the value of our environment.

Nature is also a valuable environment for emotional and social development. It offers peace and a sense of security, while at the same time providing opportunities for adventure and challenges. There, children learn to recognize their own limits, bravely try new things, and work together with others to find creative solutions.

In short: For the children at Stadtküken, nature is not just a playground, but a living space for development. It strengthens body and mind, sparks curiosity, builds self-confidence, and lays the foundation for a mindful and responsible attitude toward themselves, others, and our world.

For everyday life at the nature preschool, you don’t need special clothing—just appropriate clothing that protects, keeps children warm, and allows for freedom of movement. Since we’re outside in almost any weather, having the right gear is important so that children can enjoy nature without a care.

This includes weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes: a rain jacket with pants or a rain suit, rubber boots, warm winter clothing with a hat and gloves, and lightweight, breathable clothing for the summer. In the summer, sun protection is also important—for example, a sun hat or a cap, preferably with a neck flap. Sturdy, low-maintenance clothes are practical, allowing children to climb, run, and splash around without you having to worry.

Having a change of clothes at daycare is helpful in case something gets wet or dirty.

The children’s safety is our top priority in all activities. Our nature-rich outdoor area right outside our door is a major advantage: It’s familiar, secured with fences, and regularly inspected and maintained. This allows us to easily “open the doors” as part of our daily routine and provide the children with safe experiences in nature—without long walks or additional risks.

When going on field trips, we carefully assess the surroundings in advance, plan routes and meeting points, and ensure that there are always enough staff members accompanying the group. Everyone is provided with emergency contacts and important phone numbers.

Clear rules, recurring rituals, and established agreements provide children with guidance and a sense of security, even on field trips. This way, they always know what is allowed and who they can turn to.

At the same time, we make sure that, despite all our precautions, there is still plenty of room for the joy of discovery and freedom. Children are encouraged to experiment, explore, and gain their own experiences—always within a safe and supportive environment where they feel secure and at ease.

The children at Stadtküken experience nature firsthand every day right in the heart of the city. Our nature-filled outdoor area is right outside the door—with trees, shrubs, flower beds, and plenty of opportunities for discovery, exploration, and play. Here, the children can tend to plants, observe animals, play in the mud, balance, or climb.

Nature is present indoors, too: We bring natural materials inside to use for crafts, exploration, and creative activities. Sticks, stones, leaves, and chestnuts are transformed into small works of art, experiments, or role-playing games—nature sparks the imagination and connects the indoors and outdoors in a completely natural way.

In addition, we incorporate topics related to nature and sustainability into our projects—from litter cleanup and the water cycle to seasonal gardening. In this way, the children develop an awareness, through play, of just how valuable our environment is and how important it is to protect it.

At Stadtküken, there are many exciting nature projects. One highlight is our “AckerRacker” project: The children plant and tend their own raised garden beds and see how vegetables grow from seeds. Through the “Klimafuchs” project, we explore sustainability and climate protection in a playful way. Special partnerships—for example, with beekeepers—allow the children to observe bees up close and better understand the value of nature. Of course, everyday life includes exploring and discovering in our nature-oriented outdoor area, as well as crafting with natural materials.

Here, we can feel and experience the seasons every day. In the spring, the children sow seeds and plant, watch buds open, and witness nature coming to life. In the summer, we spend a lot of time in the shade of the trees, cool off with water, and observe insects. In the fall, we collect colorful leaves, harvest produce from the garden, and discover how nature changes. And in the winter—bundled up warm—we venture out into the snow and cold, where silence and unique sensory experiences await.

This is how children come to know and appreciate the rhythm of nature—and each season becomes an adventure with its own unique experiences.

In a nature-based preschool, nature becomes an integral part of everyday life—both outdoors and indoors. The children experience nature while playing, exploring, and discovering the outdoors, and they also find it reflected in the classroom spaces: natural materials, soothing colors, and a simple design create a sense of security and spark the imagination. Through our annual projects on sustainability topics, nature accompanies the children throughout the year. This fosters a deep awareness of the environment and responsibility—and the children come to realize that nature doesn’t begin “out there” somewhere, but is alive right in the midst of their everyday lives.