On 3 July, the ‘Waldwichtel’ inclusive daycare facility was opened on Rastpfuhl in the presence of Minister of Education Streichert-Clivot, Regional Association Director Dr. Lehberger and Mayor Conradt. The newly constructed building, with a daycare and accessible apartments, is one of the most modern facilities of its kind in the state.
The ‘Waldwichtel’ (‘forest elf’) daycare occupies more than 1,200 m2 with two infant groups and four kindergarten groups, offering a total of 123 childcare places, nine of which are open to children with increased support needs. This facility forms part of a neighbourhood-oriented concept that goes beyond just care: the newly constructed building also contains eight accessible flats that are available to people with disabilities.
The work recently completed on the outdoor area means that the new building has now been completed and the daycare and apartments can be put to full use.
At the invitation of the building owner Wohnungsgesellschaft Saarland (WOGE Saar) and the facility operator Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft für Paritätische Sozialarbeit (GPS), the building’s inauguration was celebrated alongside the three funding providers the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Saarbrücken Regional Association and the state capital Saarbrücken – along with musical performances by the daycare children and the joint planting campaign ‘We want to grow’, created by the children themselves.
Christine Streichert-Clivot, Minister of Education and Culture: ‘By opening the “Waldwichtel” inclusive daycare, we are sending a strong message of active inclusion and togetherness across all generations. This building is much more than just a daycare. It is a truly multigenerational building that provides a shared living and learning space for children both with and without support needs. It is not just a community, but also children who are growing here – together, with a tone of diversity and mutual respect. This modern, sustainable new building offers ideal conditions and is an impressive demonstration of how inclusion can operate on an everyday level: accessible, open and future-oriented.’
Dr. Carolin Lehberger, Director of the Saarbrücken Regional Association: ‘Early childhood education must not be a privilege, but rather must be open to all children regardless of their origins, disabilities or social background. The “Waldwichtel” daycare’s inclusive approach is not only helping to meet the regional association’s growing need for childcare places, but also standing as a strong role model for equal opportunities and diversity in practice. This is an impressive demonstration of how modern daycare development and inclusion can go hand in hand.’
Uwe Conradt, Mayor of the state capital Saarbrücken: ‘Thank you to the owner and the property operator. They have made a vital contribution to our city with the new “Waldwichtel” daycare facility. Every new daycare relieves family burdens, promotes combining family and a career, and increases educational opportunities. The state capital Saarbrücken is committed to supporting independent operators far beyond the legal requirements, through subsidies for investments and operating costs. This partnership is making an impact, as we are gradually approaching our goal of a childcare place for every child.’
Bernadette Hiery-Spaniol, CEO of GPS: ‘With the new “Waldwichtel” daycare, we have been able to further develop our concept of an inclusive learning and living space from the first inclusive daycare “Raabe” in Burbach, meaning that “Waldwichtel” is able to offer intercultural and intergenerational development, participation, diversity and community as part of a neighbourhood-oriented concept and a multigenerational building with more than 100 children, their families, the eight inhabitants of the eight accessible apartments, the entire facility team and neighbours. This is a flagship project for the region and GPS is proud to be part of this unique undertaking. We are bringing diversity to life.’
Mirco Bertucci, CEO of WOGE Saar: ‘With the construction of this new, inclusive daycare and these accessible apartments, WOGE has created one of the most modern facilities of its kind in the state. Just under two years from planning permission to completion is exceptional for such an extensive project and also highlights WOGE’s project expertise. I would like to thank the funding providers for their support, without which a project of this scale would not have been possible.’
The new building has four floors and is semi-detached. The daycare facility occupies the ground and first floors and there are four accessible apartments (approx. 52 m2) on each of the second and third floors. These are accessed via a separate stairwell and lift. The ground floor of the daycare houses infant and administration rooms, as well as a central marketplace area that serves as a meeting point, a multipurpose room, and a bistro connected to a large kitchen. There is an inner courtyard at the centre of the building.
The systems and installations, from sanitation through to carbon-neutral district heating, are in line with the latest standards. The building meets all requirements of the Building Energy Act and the apartments comply with the KfW 55 standard.
WOGE Saar is the building owner and project developer. The facility operator for both the daycare and the apartments is GPS. The overall costs of the project, with the inclusive daycare and the accessible apartments, are approximately €7.5 million gross. The funds were provided by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Saarbrücken Regional Association and the state capital Saarbrücken. The funding quota is approximately 95%.
Photos: Oliver Dietze
