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The protection concept serves to prevent all forms of violence, in particular sexual violence by employees, parents and guardians, and other adults against children, as well as violence among children.
It serves as a guide for employees and is intended to help them reflect on their own behavior and actions.
Legal basis
The legislator has defined the protection mandate of childcare centers (§ 8a SGB VIII). It emphasizes the responsibility for the well-being of the children and defines how the facility can fulfill this responsibility in close contact with the parents. Our goal is to maintain parental contact even in crisis situations and to do so in such a way that the child's well-being is always the focus.
Dealing with concrete threats to the child's well-being
On the basis of the above-mentioned law in conjunction with the Federal Child Protection Act (Bundeskinderschutzgesetz, BKiSchG), the responsible public youth welfare authority (Jugendamt) has concluded a written "Agreement to ensure the protection mandate according to § 8a SGB VIII" with each of its daycare providers. According to this agreement, the staff of daycare centers is obligated to be attentive to indications of a risk to the well-being of children and - with the help of an experienced specialist - to assess the risk of danger, e.g. in the case of physical and emotional neglect, emotional and/or physical abuse, and sexual violence. The specialist staff works with the legal guardians to ensure that measures are taken to avert the risk of danger, e.g. health care, counseling, family support. If these measures are not taken up and / or an acute risk exists, the staff is obligated to immediately notify the Youth Welfare Office / General Social Services.
Dealing with an increased developmental risk
If, based on their observations, the pedagogical staff identifies signs of an increased developmental risk (e.g. with regard to a severe developmental delay or an impending or existing disability), they are obligated to inform the parents about this and advise them accordingly. In this way, the further course of action is to be coordinated with the parents and it is to be discussed whether and which specialized services should be called in, with the goal of supporting the child - inside and outside the daycare center - according to his or her specific needs.
Pedagogics
In their pedagogical work, the nursery staff follow a situation-oriented approach: the focus of their educational activities is on the situation in the group. The pedagogical staff pays specific attention to the children's signals and responds to their questions and interests. Each child is accepted with his or her individual needs and wishes.
The strengths of the children are taken into account and built upon. In this way, our staff recognize and encourage special preferences, abilities and skills even at this age. Due to the age and gender mix in our groups, the children automatically gain experiences that they need for their own identity development.
Our staff is open and appreciative towards children and parents and helps new group members to integrate into the group and the facility.
During the children's play, the pedagogical staff is an observer and develops projects together with the children from the interests that are present in the group.
As a family-supporting institution, the resources of the whole family are included. A holistic view of the individual child helps our pedagogical teams to support his or her personality development.
Destination
In our work with and for children, children's rights are a very special concern for us. We stand up for children, especially for their right to physical, mental and sexual integrity, to respectful treatment, and for their protection and support.
The 10 most important children's rights at a glance
The respective articles can be read in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Our employees see it as their pedagogical task to strengthen the resources and competences of the parents in order to enable a positive, strengthening environment for the child and to protect it from influences and conditions that hinder its development.
Scope of application
The protection concept applies to all persons regardless of gender, age, country of origin or a physical/mental limitation who come in and out of our daycare centers. It is both a protection and a guide to action for all involved.
Participation
Participation is an important part of our work. We involve the children in decisions that affect their lives and life in the daycare community. The basis for this is § 8 SGB VIII (Child and Youth Welfare Act), the Bavarian Child Education and Care Act (BayKiBiG) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Art. 12.
In concrete terms, this means in everyday life that the children decide, depending on their situation and mood, whether and to what extent they want to participate in small group work or individual support, or to gain their own experiences in play groups. Every child has the right to say "yes" or "no", or to signal this.
In our daycare centers, the children actively participate in decisions. For example, they express whether they want to sing along with a song or not, whether they want to eat or not, etc.
There are other forms of participation that are embedded as rituals in the daily routine, such as the morning circle.
Furthermore, it is possible at any time for the child's interests to be represented by the parents or a staff member.
Daily routine
The child has the right to a regulated daily routine that offers the child security and orientation.
Drop-off and pick-up situations
We place great value on a cooperative and respectful relationship between parents and children, as well as between staff and parents. We intervene in the event of boundary violations between adults and children in need of protection. This includes: pushing, hitting, yelling, humiliating.
Conflict situations between staff and parents/guardians are discussed in a parent meeting and not in front of the children. If staff members need protection in a conflict situation, the other colleagues will also step in.
The drop-off and pick-up situations are made pleasant for the children.
Children are only handed over to persons authorized to pick them up.
Free play
Free play is of particular importance to the children, as it allows them to develop freely in all areas. During free play, the children choose their own play materials and play partners. They determine, within possible limits, the place, course and duration of the play.
It is the task of the pedagogical staff to observe the children, to give suggestions, to intervene in case of conflicts, to have an overview of the group activities and to take time for individual children.
The staff has the right to intervene in play actions or situations before or when the child endangers himself or others.
In the garden, children will be dressed at least in underpants, or diaper, for splashing.
Grooming situations
If given the opportunity, the child has the right to have a say in the circumstances of the diapering situation, i.e., how and by whom he or she wants to be diapered. The educational staff reserves the right to determine who will do the diapering when staffing is limited.
The children are cleaned on the penis, vagina and bottom, this is accompanied by language. The genitals are not manipulated. During diapering, no persons should disturb in order to preserve the child's intimacy.
The child has the right to decide for himself if and when he goes to the toilet. Before an outing, or before going to bed, the children are sent to the toilet once more. Only the children's toilet is used. The children are not taken to the lockable adult toilet.
The pedagogical staff reserves the right to determine that and when a child is changed or goes to the toilet if there is a danger to the child's health or if clothing and objects are soiled.
The principle of an unlocked door is to be upheld whenever possible in all services offered in the home, especially when assisting with toileting or diapering or changing.
We observe the physical condition of the children and check if, for example, bruises appear in unusual places. Observations are regularly exchanged in order to strive for further observations.
Food
We make sure that the children have a healthy and balanced diet. They are allowed to leave food, but do not have to try everything. No child is forced to eat.
We make sure that the children drink enough fluids.
We take into account intolerances, allergies and religious reasons that lead to restrictions in the choice of food.
The child has the right to rest and time and to eat and drink independently according to his or her development.
Since the changing area is located in the immediate vicinity of the dining table, children are only changed during mealtime in emergencies.
Sleeping
No child is prevented from sleeping, as sleeping is a basic need of every child. The child has the right to need satisfaction, e.g. by pacifier and/or cuddly toy.
The pedagogical staff reserves the right to take children to the quiet room at their own discretion (e.g. for a nap). However, no child will be forced to sleep or lie down. The nap is supervised by a sleep guard.
During naptime, caregivers lie next to the children's mattresses rather than on top of them.
We support the children in falling asleep independently. The staff responds to the child's signals, the child is not touched against his or her own will. To prevent assaults, the pedagogical staff rotates during the sleep watch until the end of the sleep situation.
Physical contact
The impulse for physical closeness comes from the child.
Children are not taken onto the lap or lifted up by the staff against their will.
In situations that require adult comfort, we ask the children if we should comfort them and act accordingly.
Children are never kissed on the mouth.
Any manipulation with child is accompanied by speech, be it changing diapers, changing clothes, feeding, etc.
Maintaining relationships
We communicate with children in an appreciative manner and no derogatory terms of endearment are used. The pedagogical staff speaks with the children in a non-judgmental manner, i.e. no judgmental statements are made about the person of the child. The focus is on developing an appreciative relationship with the children. This enables more cooperation and creativity in living together. Children are not forced to act in a certain way.
As a matter of principle, gifts are not given in the name of individual staff members, but only in the name of the team.
Staff members do not share secrets with the children. All agreements with children are made public.
Photos of children taken with a private camera or a staff member's private cell phone will be immediately forwarded to the nursery and then promptly deleted.
Premises
When furnishing the rooms, especially in the children's toilets and the changing room, we pay attention to the design, furniture, hygiene and protection of privacy.
In each facility, there are retreats for the children, but they are always visible to the pedagogical staff.
Prevention
As a matter of principle, our staff is only hired with an extended police clearance certificate and in consultation with the local supervisory authority.
The pedagogical staff regularly takes part in further training.
The pedagogical concept is developed and updated at regular intervals.
Regular team meetings are held to reflect on the pedagogical work.
We pay attention to the possibilities for the children to cross borders in different areas/rooms and check at regular intervals and take care of possible improvements.
We prevent abuse of power, exploitation of dependency, physical as well as verbal and non-verbal violence.
We wanted to offer support in difficult situations. We respect when a child says no.
Active listening, listening to understand and asking questions when something is unclear are essential pillars of our work.
Complaint
In daycare facilities, there is inevitably an unequal power relationship between the children and the adults. There is a danger that adults, due to the age difference, life experience and knowledge advantage, exploit their superiority over children.
It is therefore essential to inform children and their guardians of their rights and to provide them with the opportunity to complain.
We understand the term complaint to mean all verbal and/or written critical statements made by children or their guardians that affect the day-to-day life at the daycare center, in particular
decisions.
Complaint management includes all measures related to the receipt and processing of complaints. This means, for example, an attempt at clarification with all persons involved.
Complaint systems are an important instrument for safeguarding the rights of children. Among other things, they serve to protect children and to ensure or improve quality. Furthermore, they are an important instrument for reflecting on one's own work.
Possibilities of verbal complaints in the facility:
In the morning circle, we offer the opportunity to express wishes and suggestions. The children also have the opportunity to express their needs in the daily group routine.
During the daily drop-off and pick-up situations, in so-called "door-to-door conversations", parents have sufficient time to have a personal conversation with the pedagogical staff. Appointments can also be made at any time for a one-on-one discussion with the nursery management.
Options for complaining to the Parent Council:
Options for complaining to the sponsor
Daycare Administration
phone 09131/80 02 65/69
Room 317, 3rd floor on the right, Hofmannstraße 27, 91052 Erlangen
or to:
Mr. Uwe Scheer
Deputy Managing Director, Head of Communications & Social Services
phone 09131/80 02 62
Room 302, 3rd floor Head Office, Hofmannstrasse 27, 91052 Erlangen.
or by mail:
Studierendenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg
Abteilung 5
Hofmannstraße 27
91052 Erlangen.
We take all complaints seriously and see them as an opportunity to improve quality. When dealing with complaints, we pay attention to transparency and reliability.
Possibilities to complain to higher authorities:
Jugendamt der Stadt Nürnberg
Dietzstraße 4
90443 Nürnberg
Tel. 0911/2 31 – 0
Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Familie, Arbeit und Soziales
Winzererstraße 9
80797 München
Tel. 089/12 61 01
The protection concept was created on 21/03/2019 by the pedagogical team of the Studierendenwerk Erlangen-Nürnberg AöR.
