Waldkindergarten Wittmund celebrates 5 years - a festival for nature!

Waldkindergarten Wittmund celebrates 5 years - a festival for nature!

Wittmund, Deutschland - On June 20, 2025, the Johanniter Waldkindergarten celebrated a special anniversary in the Wittmund local association: its fifth anniversary! The celebrations included the inauguration of a shelter and an open day that attracted numerous visitors. Here Demian Wempen, Head of Education and Education Weser-Ems, paid tribute to the progress and success of the facility on behalf of the board. The forest kindergarten is special because it is the first and only of its kind in Lower Saxony.

to hear a horn, a bitter fragrance of fresh bratwurst in the air and the sight of children who play with joy in nature - that was the day on which the kindergarten with mobile, hands -on stations and images for the development of the day care center was festively decorated. The daycare manager, Iris Münchinger, praised the excellent collaboration with different partners such as the nature reserve, the Rotaryclub and the city. All of this would not have been possible without the commitment of volunteers who provided cake, coffee and sausages.

a room for nature and learning

The foundation of the forest kindergarten began modestly with a construction trailer. But the development really picked up speed after the pandemic. The educators: inside grew in the team, and additional facilities such as a large tent and a mud kitchen could be added. Onno Poppinga, who acquired the property, expressed the desire for a second daycare group. The 700 hectare forest is described as a true oasis in East Frisia and offers the children countless opportunities for development and learning.

forest kindergartens have been in Germany since 1993 and their roots go back to Denmark. Nature plays the main role here: the children experience playing, learning and singing an environment that promotes and shapes them. The focus is on the development of the children, whereby the forest acts as an ideal movement space. These experiences are invaluable, shape the children to adulthood and strengthen their motor skills. But every forest kindergarten has its own focus on whether this is a nature experience or personality development.

forest kindergarten in Rielasingen-Worblingen

Another example of the positive development of forest kindergartens offers the newly opened forest kindergarten in Rielasingen-Worblingen, which has been under the sponsorship of Johanniter-accident help since March 1, 2024. With space for up to 40 children from the age of three and groups, which are lovingly called "forest foxes" and "field bunnies", the facility shows how important a natural education is. Mayor Ralf Baumert welcomed the expansion of the care offer, since there is also a short waiting list for Ü3 care places.

A total of 514 care places are available in the community, including 90 crèche places that are already fully busy. There are currently 12 places available in the forest kindergarten. The positive response to the new facilities shows that forest kindergartens are not only very popular, but also return a good deal for the life of children in nature.

The events that offer Johanniter are a sign that children in a natural environment not only feel good, but also benefit in their development. A lesson for everyone who is involved in the upbringing of our little ones!

For more information about the forest kindergartens and their importance for early childhood development, the upbringing outdoors and the collaboration with nature, visit the websites of , Wochenblatt and sdw .