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PLAYgroup

LeNy is a playgroup. As the name suggests, free play is our main focus. The needs of each child are at the center of everything. Children broaden their range of activities and their social network, and learn how to behave socially in a group of peers. A constant, stable group of children provides the best conditions for this. The playgroup does not follow a fixed play or teaching plan. The children largely determine the activities themselves. The group leader supports and encourages the children’s free play.

Through play with peers, children learn to assert themselves, cope with rejection, negotiate with one another and adapt their own ideas. All of these are important experiences for developing social skills. They can expand their practical, language and motor skills, express their creativity and gain experience with many different materials. They can test their independence and become familiar with norms, rules and boundaries. The children regularly separate from their closest caregivers for several hours at a time. This creates a gradual transition from care within the family, to care in the playgroup by people who are initially unfamiliar to the child in a constant small group, and finally to integration into a larger group in kindergarten.

Free Play

Free play is at the heart of the playgroup. The child decides independently with whom and with what to play, and for how long. The playgroup leader takes on an observing role. She purposefully supports desired behaviour and accompanies the children individually and according to the situation in cases of conflict or inappropriate behaviour.

Creativity

In addition to free play, activities are provided in which children can express themselves creatively. Whether and what kind of product is created is of secondary importance. The process (trying things out, combining, reflecting, feeling, smelling, discovering, etc.) is the main focus. These activities are always voluntary.

Language Support

Children are supported in expressing their needs, interests and feelings. During everyday playgroup activities, the children are encouraged to speak. In addition, various language support strategies (open questions, corrective feedback, etc.) as well as stories, rhymes and songs are used to foster the children’s language development. Children with a different mother tongue also learn integratively through play with German-speaking children.

Quality

Early education needs to be of high quality. Therefore we follow the quality standards of the SSLV (Swiss Playgroup Leaders Association).