Abeona

When children can take their first steps outside the family home in a warm and caring environment, that is a wonderful gift. Our parent-run cooperative „Kinderstube Abeona" is named after the Roman goddess of protection who lovingly accompanies exactly these first independent steps a child takes without their parents.

Kinderstube Abeona is a parent-run cooperative, founded in 2017 and named after Abeona — the Roman goddess who watched over children's first steps outside the home. We care for up to 25 children aged one to six in two groups in Alt-Treptow/Neukölln, Berlin.

Our daily life is shaped by Waldorf pedagogy, music, and an active community of parents, children and educators.

Premises

"The space is the third educator." — Loris Malaguzzi. Our rooms at Elsenstraße 41 are designed to invite exploration, wonder, and independent play.

Our premises are located at Elsenstraße 41, 12435 Berlin, directly along the former border strip, just a few minutes from Neukölln. Bus lines 104 and 171 stop nearby, and from S-Bahn station Treptower Park it is approximately a 10-minute walk.

Pedagogy

Our pedagogical work combines Rudolf Steiner's Waldorf approach with the Berlin Education Programme — always with the whole child in view.

Waldorf Foundations

Our work is rooted in Rudolf Steiner's Waldorf pedagogy: seeing the child as a whole and supporting development at their own pace. Learning happens through imitation and modelling — through experience, not early instruction.

Daily Rhythm

A structured, recurring daily rhythm gives children stability and builds trust. Free play, shared breakfast, circle time, creative activities and outdoor time follow a consistent sequence.

Music and Arts

Music is woven into every day: morning circle, finger games, songs and rounds. Modelling with beeswax, painting and crafts develop the children's artistic capacities.

Areas of Development

We support children in their emotional, social, motor and cognitive development, as well as creativity and resilience.

Berlin Educational Framework

Our pedagogical concept fulfils the requirements of Berlin's Bildungsprogramm while remaining rooted in Waldorf pedagogy.

Wir haben einen Garten und wenn wir treulich warten und wenn wir wacker gießen, dann sprossen und dann sprießen die Kapuziner, zart und klein, auf schlanken, schwanken Stengelein, die grünen Blätterteller so rund als wie ein Heller, und wenn wir sie behüten, so tragen sie uns Blüten, die liebe Sonne hat's gewollt, nun flammt es feuerrot und gold.

– Marianne Graf

Team

Experienced, Waldorf-qualified educators — our team accompanies children with skill, warmth, and a wide breadth of training and experience.

Our two groups are each accompanied by three educators. All educators hold Waldorf qualifications and bring additional expertise in areas such as music, special needs pedagogy, or early childhood development.

Pedagogical Team

Educator names and portraits will be added here.

Additional Staff

The team is supported by specialist teachers for eurythmy and music, as well as kitchen and cleaning staff.

Training and Volunteers

The Kinderstube trains student educators and offers places in the Federal Voluntary Service (BFD) and Voluntary Social Year (FSJ).

Continuing Education

Regular supervision, pedagogical evaluations and professional development workshops are a permanent part of our quality assurance.

Association

Kinderstube Abeona is a community project — founded and run by parents who actively shape both the day-care and the association.

History

Founded 2016, opened May 2017 — built by parents, for children.

Committed parents founded the association, developed a concept, and converted a former restaurant at Elsenstraße 41 using Berlin Senate funding and volunteer effort. A project from the community — for the community.

Association

A non-profit association, carried by the families of enrolled children.

Members are typically parents during the period of enrolment — open to other supporters too. The annual membership fee is €50, with voting rights at the general assembly.

Self-governance

Parents actively shape the Kinderstube — in organisation and decisions.

The board is responsible for finances; the pedagogical team for the educational concept and children's welfare. Admissions and new staff are decided jointly between team and board.

Parental involvement

Parental involvement is the foundation, not an add-on — and a prerequisite for a place.

Every family contributes their strengths: in a working group, at events like the summer festival, or on the board. Every form of involvement is equally valued.

Parental Involvement

Kinderstube Abeona is a parent-run cooperative — parental involvement is not optional but the foundation of everything. Every family takes on tasks in two working groups at the start of each kindergarten year. Willingness to participate is a prerequisite for a place.

Working Groups

Maintenance & Garden Group — Repairs, furniture and floor care, garden work and coordination with the neighbouring project "Kuhfuß".

Events & Sponsoring Group — Planning and running the annual events: lantern walk, Advent garden, summer festival. Making crafts and baked goods included.

Laundry & Sewing Group — Washing towels and bibs roughly every 6–8 weeks over weekends; mending costumes, pillowcases, and seasonal items.

Shopping Group — Weekly grocery run (Mondays), bread on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Other Tasks

Cleaning — Each family cleans the rooms roughly twice per half-year over a weekend (3–4 hours, two families per weekend).
Project days — Building and renovation work, outdoor area design, Rixdorf Christmas market.
Voluntary roles — Educational projects, communications, board work.

Why parental involvement?

Parent-initiative day-cares thrive on community. Working together builds real connections between families and educators — and children see adults taking responsibility for one another. Every contribution is equally valued, whether cleaning or board work.

More on the organisational structure in the Association section.