Kinderhaus Friedenau e.V.

Kinderhaus Friedenau e.V. was a Berlin-based registered association (eingetragener Verein) that operated the first integrative daycare center (Kita) in Berlin and the German-speaking world. Founded by parents of children with and without disabilities, together with pediatrician Bahram Karimi, the initiative began in the late 1960s as a center for early detection and treatment of children with cerebral movement disorders in West Berlin's Friedenau district. In 1972, parents rented a shop in Friedenau, converted it for children's needs, and established therapeutic groups where children with and without disabilities were educated together. After demonstrating in front of the youth senator's building, they secured financial support and moved into a house at Hedwigstraße 13 in Berlin-Schöneberg. The association itself was formally founded in 1978, with its statutes established on June 2 and November 8, 1978, and registered on February 6, 1979, at the Charlottenburg district court (VR 5891 Nz). The organization was instrumental in extending integrative education to primary schools. In 1975, it petitioned the nearby Fläming-Grundschule to admit its first school-age group to preschool classes. Despite initial setbacks, including a 1978 report questioning integration, the parents' advocacy led to the establishment of the first integrative classes at a state school in Germany at the Fläming-Grundschule. By 2013, the Kinderhaus had around 120 children in nine groups, with about 20–25 percent having special educational needs. On February 1, 2014, the association transferred all its facilities to the Nachbarschaftsheim Schöneberg, effectively ceasing its direct operations. The legacy of Kinderhaus Friedenau lies in its pioneering role in integrative education, which influenced the nationwide development of inclusive practices.

The origins of Kinderhaus Friedenau e.V. trace back to the late 1960s, when pediatrician Bahram Karimi founded a center for early detection and early treatment of children with cerebral movement disorders in the West Berlin district of Friedenau. This center primarily provided outpatient treatment. In 1972, some parents of disabled children felt that physical therapy alone was insufficient. In May 1972, they submitted a methodological, financial, and personnel concept to the Berlin Senate, justifying the need for therapeutic groups with disabled and non-disabled children. By the time the concept was being processed in May 1972, two groups were already operating. The parents had rented a shop in Friedenau, converted it during weekends and after-work hours to meet the children's needs, and had begun developing a joint educational concept. The financial situation was still insecure, and Der Spiegel commented: "Without financial support, the project is doomed to fail." After the parents demonstrated in front of the youth senator's building, financial support was assured, and the house at Hedwigstraße 13 in Berlin-Schöneberg (near the border with Friedenau) was occupied as a Kinderhaus. In 1975, the members' assembly of the Kinderhaus dealt for the first time with the problem of schooling for the Kinderhaus groups. They discussed the 1973 recommendation of the Education Commission of the German Education Council, which stated that "centers for early support should be established" and that increased preschool education for disabled children, together with support courses and hours, should promote integration into regular schools. On February 6, 1975, the Kinderhaus wrote to the nearby Fläming-Grundschule requesting admission of the first group that was becoming school-age to preschool classes starting in autumn 1975. In March 1975, the Kinderhaus submitted a school concept to the Berlin school authorities. After negotiations, the first group was allowed to attend the Fläming-Grundschule with the approval of the school administration. However, after completing the preschool class, this group was denied further attendance because one of the disabled children did not "fit" into the class. The disabled children had to transfer to a special facility after preschool. The parents continued their efforts and obtained a commitment from the Senate for the establishment of an integrative class at the Fläming-Grundschule for the next year. In 1978, a report by the school psychological counseling center questioned the integrative classes, stating that "mentally" disabled children did not belong in a regular school but in a special school. The parents obtained a counter-report and campaigned with flyers for the preservation of the integrative classes, eventually gaining approval from the responsible school inspector in Berlin. Through their efforts, the parents achieved the establishment of the first integrative classes at a state school in Germany at the Fläming-Grundschule. Until 1978, the Kinderhaus Friedenau existed only as a Kita in Berlin. The association as the supporting body of the Kinderhaus was founded in 1978. The statutes were established on June 2 and November 8, 1978, and registered on February 6, 1979, in the association register of the Charlottenburg district court (VR 5891 Nz). On February 1, 2014, the Kinderhaus Friedenau e.V. transferred all its facilities to the sponsorship of the Nachbarschaftsheim Schöneberg. As of 2013, the Kinderhaus had around 120 children in nine groups, with about 20–25 percent having special educational needs. The organization's pioneering work in integrative education influenced the nationwide development of inclusive practices.

• 2014

  All facilities transferred to Nachbarschaftsheim Schöneberg.

• 1979

  Association registered at Charlottenburg district court (VR 5891 Nz).

• 1978

  Association founded; statutes established; first integrative classes at Fläming-Grundschule achieved.

• 1975

  First group admitted to Fläming-Grundschule preschool; school concept submitted.

• 1972

  Parents rent a shop in Friedenau and establish integrative groups; concept submitted to Berlin Senate.

Pioneer of integrative education for children with and without disabilities in Germany.

• Integrative daycare (Kita)

  Daycare groups where children with and without disabilities are educated together.

• Therapeutic groups

  Groups combining therapy and education for children with disabilities.

• Integrative classes at Fläming-Grundschule

  First integrative classes at a state school in Germany.

1. 1Kinderhaus Friedenau e.V. - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Kinderhaus Friedenau - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org