Guidelines of CASA BIMBO:

Great care/attention is devoted to the period of “fitting in”. Parents and children are offered a variety of possibilities to gradually explore the new environment and meet the operators and the other children.

Throughout these first encounters parents will be present most of the time and share group activities with their child and share all necessary information with the operators to make their child feel at home and to be able to fully respect his/her needs.

During this period the Tagesmutter starts her observation which will guide her in her interaction with the children and exchange with the families. This process will be documented with written notes as well as with pictures which are going to become a “remembrance” of the development each child goes through during his/her stay at the Tagesmutter’s. During the period of fitting in the Tagesmutter will be supported and helped by the coordinators and counsellors.

Another important moment linked with everyday routines is the “welcome” which is at the same time the moment to say goodbye to the parent and which every day is structured in the same way to be reassuring for the child. Even if with parents we may exchange just greetings due to little time, the child will be welcomed warmly and daily activities such as games etc. will be presented and it will be introduced in the group through a series of activities which are the same every day (f.ex. reading the menu together, putting away the child’s jacket and putting on their slippers..), so that the child can take his/her time and slowly meet up with the other children and join in their activities, all this knowing that the parent “has left but will return”. The same attention will be devoted to the moment of leavetaking   so that the children can leave happily and  wish to return.

Another point which is important to us is the environment and spaces. The rooms, furniture and any household goods can become a true educational resource and need therefore to be suited to children’s age and developmental stage so that they are enabled to be as autonomous as possible in their movements as well as in the use of the objects and toys which are at their disposal.

We are also committed to paying attention to the attitude towards the children the operators need to assume: we want to give the children the freedom they need  and at the same time want to be an attentive and reassuring presence as we are conscious of the influence our behaviour has on the children who are staying with us.

We respect children’s times and organise the day so that all the activities can be done in a relaxed atmosphere and respecting their interests.

We try to make as much use of everyday situations as possible (mealtimes, naptime, personal hygiene etc.) so that children can develop their autonomy without building up a dependence on the adult but developing significant relationships where they can experience safety and confidence.