Our educational focus
Berlin Education Program
Like all Berlin daycare centers, we follow the Berlin Education Program, a scientifically backed and professionally tested framework that guides our educational approach. This program outlines the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities children need to successfully navigate their life journey. It provides a clear roadmap of the content children should explore and how they can be supported based on their developmental stage and individual interests.
The goal of the Berlin Education Program is to ensure that children are well-prepared for their transition to school and beyond, setting them up for future success. To do this, the program emphasizes targeted learning in areas that are crucial for a child's growth. These six key educational areas include:
- Health
- Mathematics
- Social skills
- Creativity
- Communication
- Nature
A particular focus of this educational framework is language development. To support this, each child receives a language learning diary, where educators regularly document their linguistic progress, helping to track and nurture their language skills over time.
Bilingualism
One Person, One Language
At Kita TreeHaus, we follow a "one person, one language" approach. Half of our educators are German speakers, while the other half are native English speakers who are also fluent in German. Each group of children is cared for by a team of both German and English-speaking educators, allowing children to experience and learn both languages in natural, everyday contexts. Through this immersive approach, children acquire vocabulary and grammar in both languages, developing a strong foundation in bilingual communication.
Sign Language as a Bridge
To further support language development, we also incorporate children's supportive sign language as a bridge between German and English. This practice, which we started in 2021, helps children connect spoken words with hand signs, making it easier for them to understand and use both languages. As the children build their vocabulary in sign language, they can express themselves more effectively—whether they are finding the right words in either language or simply communicating their needs before they are fully verbal. This approach creates an inclusive and supportive learning environment where language learning is accessible and engaging for everyone.
Anti-bias education
Anti-bias education is an approach designed to help us better understand and appreciate differences, while actively challenging prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination. One of its core beliefs is that prejudice is learned—throughout our childhood, we are exposed to messages about our own identity and the identities of others. These messages can shape our self-image and worldview in ways that last a lifetime.
Anti-bias pedagogy has four main goals, all of which are embedded in our everyday practices:
- Every child should develop self-confidence, self-assurance, and a positive social identity.
- Every child should feel comfortable and find joy in the diversity of people and the deep, loving relationships they share with others.
- Every child should become more aware of injustice, be able to recognize and describe it, and understand how it can cause harm.
- Every child should feel empowered to take action against prejudice and discrimination, whether on their own or alongside others.
In practice, this means providing materials that reflect diversity, such as books, dolls, and other resources, so every child can see themselves represented. It also involves fostering curiosity, encouraging regular self-reflection among educators (to recognize and challenge their own biases), and engaging children in thoughtful, meaningful conversations. We use a situational approach to help children develop empathy, fairness, and critical thinking—skills that will stay with them as they grow and interact with the world around them.