European Solidarity Corps volunteering at Kindergruppe Teddybär 

What is the Kindergruppe Teddybär? 

Our group is an initiative by parents who want to secure high-quality care for their children and located in the 7^th district of Vienna (Wimbergergasse 13). We are a children´s group for up to 14 children between the age of two to six. The children are supported by a team of early childhood educators, daily work includes outdoors and group activities, sports, preparing food and assisting the kids with all their needs during daytime. 

Our four kindergarten teachers closely work together with the parents, who play an important role in the organisation of the kindergarten. The parents cook meals, keep the garden, and help taking care of the children if need be. They are also involved in all decisions concerning the children, the site, and the activities of the group. The small group and a co-operative approach enable the children to develop their social, intellectual, and motoric skills according to their needs and with all the time they need. Creativity, outdoor-experiences and being in contact with the needs of the children are very important to us. 

Our kindergarten teachers have been working for Teddybär for some time and are experienced in handling all possible activities, new group situations and occurring difficulties. We have been working with volunteers for some time and experiences have always been positive – for the children as well as for the volunteers.

Proposed activities

Regular activities of the group are:
✓ Outdoor days
✓ Visits to museums, theatres or similar
✓ PE-trainings (at gyms, swimming, ice-skating etc.)
✓ Indoor activities according to given themes or needs of the group (music, movement, creativity, language, pre-school-trainings etc.)

As a volunteer, you will be working with a team of early childhood educators and get the chance of deeper insights in the work with children aged two to six. You will:

✓ Support the educators in their work, which includes an interesting daily routine for the children
✓ Have the chance to learn German and some of the cultural surroundings in Vienna
✓ Train your communication and social skills
✓ Bring in your own ideas, plan and realize activities with the children under competent supervision
✓ Share your language and cultural background
✓ Get to know the organizational structure of an NGO

A typical day could look like this:
8:00 – 10:00: Welcoming of the children; breakfast; children can engage in free play, creative work and activities offered by the kindergarten teachers.
12:30: Lunchtime. You will have your lunch together with the children.
Ca. 13:00 – 14:00: Calmer phase of resting and reading.
14:00: flexible time. Create own projects and support the daily rhythm of the kindergarten.
The rest of the day (normally: till 17:00, Monday 16:30, Friday 16:00) can be spent in free
play, in the outdoor area or with other activities.

Volunteer profile and recruitment process

Ideally you should be interested in working with children and taking part in the above-mentioned activities. All young people who are interested are invited to apply.
If you want to see more about our Kindergarten, take a look at our homepage:
https://www.kindergruppe.info/

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 Teddybär) in the subject of your e-mail. Grenzenlos will forward your documents to 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) organisation. 

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 a few weeks after the application deadline. For more information, please visit www.melange.wien.