FAQ

The Pankonauten are a parent-initiative daycare (EKI) in Berlin-Wedding. Our non-profit association, the Pankonauten e.V., is run by committed parents who shape everyday daycare life together with a dedicated pedagogical team. We care for 18 children between the ages of 18 months and 6 years.

A parent-initiative daycare (also called "Kinderladen" or EKT) is founded and self-managed by parents. The sponsoring association – in our case the Pankonauten e.V. – makes all essential decisions independently. All parents can become members of the association, have voting rights, and actively shape the daycare. The result is a particularly family-like atmosphere and short decision-making paths. Parent-initiative daycares are subject to the same legal regulations as all other Berlin daycares.

Our daycare is at Ravenéstraße 10, 13347 Berlin (Wedding/Mitte). The rooms are cozy and child-friendly, furnished predominantly with natural materials. We don't have our own garden, but directly opposite there is a playground that the children lovingly call "our daycare playground".

Children can be dropped off from 8:15 a.m. The daycare day ends at 4:45 p.m. (pick-up time).

Yes. In Berlin, daycares may close for a maximum of 25 days per year. The exact closure periods (e.g. over Christmas, in summer, or on bridge days) are announced in good time.

Availability changes regularly. The best thing is to send us an enquiry via the contact form with your child's age and the desired start date – we'll get back to you promptly. Most spots become available on 1 August when the oldest children start school.

You'll find everything about this on the "New Families" page.

Yes, the Kita voucher (Kita-Gutschein) is a prerequisite for a publicly funded childcare place in Berlin. It is the state of Berlin's funding commitment to the daycare provider. No childcare contract can be signed without a voucher.

You apply for the voucher at the youth welfare office (Jugendamt) of your home district – this is also possible online via the Kita-Navigator (kita-navigator.berlin.de). Allow at least 2 months lead time before your desired start date (at most 9 months in advance).

For part-time care (up to 7 hours per day) you only need your ID and your child's birth certificate. For longer care, additional documents are required, e.g. employer's certificate, enrolment certificate, or similar.

We admit children from approximately 18 months and accompany them until they start school (approx. 6 years). In Berlin, children have a legal right to a childcare place from their first year of life. Get in touch early so we can offer you a spot.

For children attending daycare for the first time, we plan a settling-in phase of approx. 4–6 weeks. We follow the Berlin settling-in model and proceed gently and individually. One parent accompanies the child in the first days and gradually steps back – always at the child's own pace. The exact start date is agreed together with the educators.

Daycare in Berlin is generally free of charge (since August 2018). There is only a statutory meal contribution of €23 per month for lunch.

As a parent-initiative daycare, we additionally charge an association membership fee of €50 and a top-up of €30 for additional services such as organic food, afternoon snacks, excursions, and special educational offerings.

Families with low income can apply for an exemption from the meal fee through the Education and Participation Package (Berlinpass-BuT).

Unlike regular daycares, the association membership fee at an EKI is binding and cannot be cancelled unilaterally. This is because parents are simultaneously members of the sponsoring association and jointly decide on the services and their financing. In return, you have direct influence over how the money is used. In cases of financial hardship, the association may be able to temporarily reduce the top-up without excluding the child from services.

Yes. The meal contribution and association fee are charged as a monthly flat rate and are payable regardless of your child's actual attendance. The spot is held even during absences.

Our day follows a clear structure that gives the children a sense of security. See what a day can look like on the Daily Life page.

We place great importance on healthy, balanced nutrition. Lunch is prepared fresh daily and in organic quality wherever possible. In the afternoon there is a snack. Breakfast is brought by the parents themselves.

We source most of our food through SuperCoop Berlin, a cooperative supermarket for sustainable, fairly produced food at affordable prices.

Our approach is attachment- and relationship-oriented. We see children as competent, curious individuals who actively explore their world. The educators see themselves as companions of children's development – not as teachers.

Core values are participation, self-efficacy, and mindfulness. We draw on methods from Reggio, Montessori, and Waldorf pedagogy. Play is central: free, unobserved, and guided play alike. Our team consists of state-certified educators with various pedagogical areas of focus who undergo regular further training.

Sick children cannot be cared for at the daycare – this is to protect all children and the team. Please let us know as early as possible in the morning. For contagious illnesses (e.g. gastroenteritis, hand-foot-mouth disease) we ask you to wait at least 48 hours after symptoms have subsided before your child returns.

Important: In Berlin, proof of measles vaccination is legally required for daycare attendance. Please have this ready for admission.

We don't have our own outdoor area – but we do have several playgrounds in the immediate vicinity. Directly opposite the entrance is a playground the children consider "our daycare playground". From 3 p.m. we go outside every day and explore the surroundings.

Each family commits to contributing up to 30 hours per year to the daycare. This is spread well across the year and is a central part of our community. Without the active involvement of parents, our daycare would not exist.

Organisational tasks are divided into various departments. Each family takes responsibility for one area, e.g. hygiene, maintenance, food, celebrations & gifts, IT, or safety. Twice a year, everyone pitches in together for the big daycare clean.

In cases of staffing shortages – when no substitute is available – parents step in themselves and help with childcare. For this, there is a biannual parent duty roster (back-up plan) that sets out who can step in and when. This is not only support for the team, but also a great opportunity to experience daily daycare life first-hand.

No. Daily cooking and cleaning are not part of parental involvement. Both are handled by external specialists and companies.

As a member of the sponsoring association, you have extensive co-determination rights. The members' assembly is the highest decision-making body – every association member has one vote. You can have a say on finances, pedagogical orientation, and organisational matters. In addition, there are regular pedagogical parents' evenings, parents' assemblies, and annual development meetings with the educators about your child.

We consciously rely on notices at the daycare and personal conversations rather than constant digital availability of the team. This keeps the focus on working with the children. For communication among parents and for organisational information, we use digital messenger groups where we can exchange ideas easily. WhatsApp messages via the daycare phone are deliberately avoided.

Yes. At least once a year there is a detailed development meeting between you and the educators. In addition, you can have short conversations at drop-off or pick-up at any time, or arrange a separate appointment.

Sustainability runs through our entire daily life:

• Food: Organic quality wherever possible, sourced through the cooperative supermarket SuperCoop.
• Energy: We use green electricity and playfully raise children's awareness of conscious energy use.
• Materials: Environmentally friendly materials, waste avoidance, recycling projects with the children.
• Cooperations: Visits to the children's farm, campaigns to reduce waste, collaboration with sustainable educational institutions.

You'll receive the exact list from your contact person before the start. Typically this includes: a change of clothes, indoor shoes, rain gear, nappies (if needed), breakfast for your child, and possibly a cuddly toy and bedding for the midday rest.

For admission you will generally need:

• A valid Kita voucher from the youth welfare office
• Proof of measles vaccination for your child
• If applicable, a medical certificate regarding allergies or special needs
• The completed contract documents of the association

The best way to reach us is by email at info@pankonauten.de or via the contact form on our website. For pedagogical questions, the educators' team is available directly at the daycare. If you are already part of the Pankonauten, you also have your personal contact person from the parent community.

Our umbrella organisation, DaKS (Dachverband Berliner Kinder- und Schülerläden), also offers advice and support for all questions relating to parent-initiative daycares in Berlin.