European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Kindergruppe Farbklecks

What is the Kindergruppe Farbklecks?

Kindergruppe, in German, means children´s group and Farbklecks dab of paint.
The Farbklecks is a special form of a kindergarten located in the 18th district in Vienna; it is a non-profit organisation which is run by parents who support the pedagogical aims as well as the day centre on a voluntary basis. The group consists of 14 children between the age of two and a half and six years. The different ages of the children should empower the social learning aspects of younger from elder children and vice versa.

Proposed activities

As a volunteer you will support the teachers (4 pedagogues, they work in groups of two) in the daily activities with the children.
Tasks and learning outcomes can be:
✓ helping the children with their daily routines
✓ playing an active role in preparing and leading projects with children
✓ giving a supportive hand
✓ reading, singing or other activities
✓ social learning by dealing with the support of the children´s needs and by learning how to react to children in different life and emotional stages
✓ personal development inside a team
✓ being sensitive for special activities (sports, graphics, music, language etc.) which could be incorporated by you through programs or projects
✓ preparing meals

A typical day at the Kindergruppe Farbklecks looks like this:

8:00 The day begins. One teacher is present. The 14 children enter between 8 and 9.30 a.m.
Making handicrafts and reading books are very popular activities during the morning session.
9:00 You should enter Farbklecks and get prepared for joint care (such as supporting the children in their daily needs). At 10:00 the second teacher will join the team.
10:00 breakfast After breakfast the group will go outside for outdoor activities, returning before lunch.
A common interactive circle will draw attention to the solidarity and communication between the children and the staff.
13:00 Lunch. After lunch there is a smooth time where the children can play freely or join in calming activities. In the afternoon the group will get smaller again and the second teacher will leave at 14.00.
A joint decision will be made for the following program. This could for example be going to a park.
15:00 Your day ends.
16:00 The Farbklecks closes.

As a volunteer, you will work 30-38 hours per week. Your main role is to support the pedagogues in taking care of the children in their daily environment.

Volunteer Profile and Recruitment Process

As a volunteer, you should be an open-minded person and willing to work in a team and fulfill tasks. It would be great if you are interested in cultural and outdoor activities. Since you should be able to communicate with the children and the staff, you also should be willing to learn German during you volunteering.

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 (Kindergruppe Farbklecks), 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