The Familiarisation Phase Based on the Berlin Method
A new chapter begins for you and your child, when you enrol your child in Kita Regenbogen. Our wish for you is to experience this phase in the most comfortable and stress-free manner as possible.
In order to ensure a wonderful start at a new place, we believe that children need to go through a familiarisation phase (a.k.a settling-in period or Eingewöhnung in German) for at least two weeks. We attach great importance to this familiarisation period, knowing that a thoughtful introduction and a secure attachment to the nursery is the basis for your child to feel comfortable at our Kita Regenbogen.
Children should be given sufficient time to find their way into this new situation and get to know their Early Years Practitioners, as well as other children in their group. Your child will be leading with his/her own rhythm and needs. We take care that we attend to every individual child’s different needs, by being empathetic to the signs they give us.
Our process of the familiarisation phase is based on the ‘Berlin Method’ (Das Berliner Eingewöhnungsmodel) and is designed as follows:
The familiarisation phase usually takes two full weeks (2 five-day week). Every child is unique and depending on how the child reacts to the new environment and his/her group’s key person, it could also take longer than the recommended time. We always adapt according to the comfort level the child.
During the first three days, you will be visiting with your child for a good hour at his/her new group. The person accompanying the child could be the mother, father, grandparent, a nanny or anyone with whom the child has a close bonding relationship.
The presence of a family member during the first three days is of utmost importance to the child, as it gives him/her the essential security and the support to explore his/her new environment.
During the first part of the day, we get acquainted with the child and family member(s) of the family, learn and record information about your child, as well as introduce the group to you and your child. We also use this time to explain our pedagogical approaches (for example, principles of Dr. Emmi Pikler, educational methods and educational partnerships, etc.) and basic principles.
Once the child feels more at ease in his/her new environment and more confident in temporary detachment from his/her mum or dad, as well as feeling more assured in the presence of his/her group key person, then the first separation takes place on the fourth day. The separation takes about half an hour. Parents are usually encouraged to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in the meeting room, away from their child.
Depending on the child’s comfort level, we would then decide whether or not to increase the periods of separation in the next few days, in a slow and calm manner. The familiarisation phase is completed once the child feels comfortable in the new environment, moves freely in the room, focuses in his own/her own playtime, eats and sleeps in the vicinity, has established a bond with two Early Years Practitioners in his/her group, and is willing to be comforted and calmed by them.
Parents’ participation in the familiarisation phase gives the opportunity to define the relationship between the Kita and the parent(s), as a joint relationship. The establishment of trust between parents and our staff serves as prerequisite for our mutual benefit.
In preparation for Kita admission, the parents are given an initial information letter two months before their entry at Kita Regenbogen. The information letter also details the upcoming first day, along with further planning and preparation.
About one month before your first day at Kita Regenbogen, the key person of your group will be in touch via telephone, about your child’s upcoming familiarisation phase/settling-in period. An appointment will be made with you and he/she will be able to answer any question(s) you may have.
Following this telephone conversation, parents will receive an information folder, with the following content:
- Important information: our familiarisation phase for your children: a gentle start in a new place
- Fact sheet: what you should bring in the first few days
- Fact sheet: our wishes and expectations, for the parents
- Questionnaire: What do we need to know about your child