European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Kindergarten BOKU
What is Kindergarten BOKU?
The kindergarten cooperates with the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, it is organized as a parent-managed corporation. It is open to the children of students and university employees. It is located in the 18th district in Vienna, near the University, in a quiet and green neighbourhood of Vienna, surrounded by several parks. The kindergarten has one toddler group (1-3 year old children) and two family groups (2-6 year old children), in each group there are two teachers and one assistant. An employed cook prepares fresh and mainly organic food for the children and staff every day (breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack). Additionally, our members – the children’s parents – are actively involved in the kindergarten, they care about all administrative duties and join special days or excursions as extra support for the staff.
The kindergarten is financed by subsidies from the city of Vienna, a membership fee, the BOKU University, the ÖH (student Union) and special charity events to increase the budget.
In total, 55 children between one and six years visit the kindergarten.
The pedagogy of the kindergarten is based on the situational approach. The kindergarten teachers offer activities according to the needs of the children, such as creativity and sports (indoors and outdoors) and pay attention to an appreciative functioning of the community as well as to individual needs.
You can find more info about the kindergarten here: BOKU Kindergarten
Proposed activities
As a volunteer, we would like you to be present about 31 hours per week per week. The opening hours of the kindergarten are Monday – Thursday 7:45 to 17:15 and Friday 7:45 – 15:30. You will have your breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack with the children. Additionally, there are regular planning meetings with your mentor (one of the parents) and the teachers. Following activities are a fixed part of the programme and vary according to the group size:
• Creative activities like painting, handcraft, drawing etc.
• Sports or movement in general is also part of the programme: The kindergarten has a garden and an indoor exercise room where there are many opportunities for sports and games; there are many parks near the kindergarten and as many times as possible the groups visit them. Furthermore, excursions to the Vienna Woods, to museums or theatres are organised. In summer the older ones also go swimming.
• Themes: Many activities are also organised according to themes and seasons: Christmas, Easter, Autumn etc. But as well other themes that are of interest for the children are subject of special projects.
• Events: There are small events throughout the year to which the volunteers are invited and warmly welcome. For example, the lantern festival or the Summer Party, which are organised as common activities of children, parents and staff. They usually place in the park and parents, children and employees are invited. It’s a saying “good bye” to the past kindergarten year before the kindergarten closes for its summer holidays. A Christmas party and a summer dinner are organized for the staff.
As a volunteer, we would like you to give input to all these activities:
• For example, play a typical game from your home country
• Teach us songs or rhymes in your language
• Prepare a special project week about your home country
• Prepare typical food from your home country
Feel free to think of anything that could fit in with regard to your personal talents and interests
Such activities will be planned with the teachers, but you will also participate during the regular activities. Additionally, just like the other staff, the teachers and parents, you will help to clean the rooms and do some laundry (not too much!).
Volunteer profile and selection process
As a volunteer, we would like a person who really enjoys spending time with children. You should be interested in children’s development and behaviour. It would be nice if you are creative and willing to bring in your ideas. Additionally, it´s an advantage if you are an open-mined and flexible person. No skills or prior knowledge is required; however, it would be of advantage if you have basic knowledge of English (or German) to be able to communicate with the team, and if you are motivated to learn/improve your German during your volunteering.
How to apply
This European Solidarity Corps (ESC) project in Vienna is coordinated by the association Grenzenlos within the MELANGE program. If you want to apply for this project, please fill in the Melange application form and send it together with your CV (curriculum vitae) and motivation letter to application@melange.wien
Please state the name of the ESC project (Kindergarten BOKU), that you would like to apply for, in the subject of your e-mail. Grenzenlos will forward your documents to us, the hosting project, where the selection will be made.
Important! Your application will only be accepted if it is complete and if you already have a supporting (sending) organization.
All ESC placements coordinated by Grenzenlos are generally available to everyone between the age of 18 and 30 who is residing in an ESC program or partner country. However, in the selection procedure a preference is shown for candidates with fewer opportunities. You will be informed about the outcome of the recruitment process after the application deadline.
For more information, please visit www.melange.wien
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