Short Interview: "Schlauschlümpfe"

Irma Herwald:

After my parental leave from 1999 to 2005, I completed training as a child care provider in 2007 and cared for up to five children in my own home.

My previous profession was as an IT specialist.

Since 2023, I’ve been offering childcare spots for nine children at a large daycare center together with my colleague Joanna Polanska.

I’m outgoing, humorous, spontaneous, and able to handle stress well. I’m good at listening to children and treat them with empathy. Together, we create a structured daily routine with lovingly set boundaries. Treating others with respect is important to me.

Joanna Polanska:

For the past ten years, I have been supporting and nurturing children’s personal, social, and emotional development at a large daycare center. Individual support is always my top priority.
Thanks to my communicative and empathetic nature, I quickly gain the children’s trust and build stable, reliable relationships. I place great value on providing loving and respectful care. I work in a structured and motivated manner, and I have a big heart for children.

What do you prioritize when caring for children?

Joint response:

A safe and stable environment with a clear daily structure is very important to us. There should be plenty of time for free play, emotional attention, and shared discovery. The children should feel seen and be able to develop their own personalities.

In a family-like atmosphere, we support each child individually and guide them through their first steps toward independence. Care takes place in a quiet, child-friendly setting where there’s plenty of laughter. Our daily routine is marked by rituals and consistency to give each child a sense of familiarity.

Daily Routine:

• Morning gathering
• Breakfast
• Outdoor play
• Age-appropriate games
• Lunch
• Afternoon nap
• Play
• Pickup

What do you like to do most with the children?

Joint answer:

In addition to crafts and painting, one of our passions at the daycare center is reading aloud and singing with the children. When the weather is nice, we enjoy spending time outdoors, where physical activities help the children develop body awareness and learn through play.

Of course, the activities depend on the children’s ages.

We structure the year around festivals and special events. Here, the children learn about traditions, experience a sense of community, and look forward to special days.

Some of our activities include:

• Celebrating birthdays: The birthday child takes center stage, receives a crown, gets to choose a song, or takes part in small rituals.
• Christmas: Making Christmas decorations, baking cookies, singing Christmas carols, Advent calendars, and sometimes a visit from Santa Claus or St. Nicholas.
• Easter: Painting eggs, making Easter baskets, and an Easter egg hunt.
• Harvest Festival: Looking at fruits and vegetables together, doing crafts with natural materials, and talking about the harvest.