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German Australian Playschool (The GAP) - and - Spiel und Spass German Playgroups - and - German Australian Pfadfinder Scouts

On this page:

1. The German Australian Playschool (GAP) (for children 3-5 yrs)

2. German playgroups in Canberra (for children 0-5 yrs)

3. German Australian Pfadfinder Scouts (Scouts in German for boys and girls)

4. Information about where else to find German in Canberra

5. Information for newly arrived families to Canberra

6. Information about other schools in Canberra - bilingual, German LOTE and other playschools

7. Community, Supporters and Links

Click here to download our latest Spielwelt newsletter the "Spiel-Spiegel" (840kb in PDF)

TEACHER and ASSISTANT TEACHER for GERMAN PLAYSCHOOL WANTED for 2010: Join our wonderful team! The German Australian Playschool is looking for a German-speaking teacher and assistant teacher to join us for 3 days a week, starting in February 2010. Approx 20 hours per week, Wednesdays to Fridays. Email Lisa on spielwelt@homemail.com.au

Here it is again, for those job-hunting in German:

Leiterin / Erzieherin fuer Deutschsprachige Vorschule in Australien gesucht (2010): Dynamische Vorschulleiterin gesucht, um ein freundliches und paedagogisches Programm fuer 3-4 jaehrige Kinder in deutscher Sprache zu erstellen und auszufuehren. Wir sind eine Elterninitiative die in Canberra Programme in deutscher Sprache anbietet.

Arbeitszeit 20 Stunde pro Woche, Mittwochs bis Freitags in Canberra. Ab Februar 2010.

Ausbildung: 3/4 eines Diploms in Kindererziehung, oder halbwegs durch einen 3-jaehrigen Universitaetsabschluss der fruehn Erziehungswissenschaft.

Dies waere z.B. ein Diplom in Sozialpaedagogik der Erziehungswissenschaft, und dann als Praktikum als Vorschulleiterin ein einem deutschsprachigen Kindergarten in Australien.

Unterkunft: Es besteht die Moeglichkeit, als aupaire fuer eine Familie gegen Unterkunft zu arbeiten.

Wir wuerden uns ueber ein Email freuen!

NEWS FLASH: SPIELWELT WINS $12,000 ACT GOVERNMENT GRANT: Spielwelt was successful in gaining matched funding under the ACT Government's Community Services and Infrastructure Grant 2009. The Government has awarded us $12,000, which we will match in cash and in-kind donations of equipment and labour. The money will be used to upgrade the heating and safety of the Scout Hall, for all users, and to further reduce our carbon footprint.

Where can I find all these Spielwelt German children's groups?

Click here for a map.

The new home for all our groups is located at the Scout Hall, at 5 Masson Street in Turner, in the lovely Haig Park. Turner is the suburb just north of Civic. Thanks to the hard work of our parents who contributed $25,000 of labour and equipment, plus $10,000 in cash; and with the help of a $35,000 Community Services and Infrastructure Grant from the ACT government in December 2008, the Scout Hall is now upgraded and licensed for playschool use. The Scout Hall has a full kitchen, toilets, showers, an office, a German children's library, equipment shed, and a fully enclosed outdoor play area.

1. The German Australian Playschool (The GAP)

About the Playschool

We take children 3 to 5 years old. Children generally attend one or two sessions a week .

The GAP operates Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. You can select a short session (9:30am to 1:30pm) or a long session (9:30am to 3:30pm). Drop-off any time from 9:15am is possible.

Obviously, the more sessions a child attends, the more they will get out of the program (and the more German they will learn). Click here to view a typical daily routine, which is indicative of the sort of program we run, and outlines some of our educational objectives.

You can also download our song book and our 2010 program. 

The activities are run in German, by German speaking staff and volunteers. Children from all language backgrounds are welcome, and no previous knowledge is necessary. We support non-German speaking parents in various ways - please let us know if you would like this support.

The basic philosophy of the German Australian Playschool is to impart a second language (ie German) to the children in a fun, supportive and caring manner. Our priorities are: 1) the child; 2) the child's friends and family; 3) the child's environment and possessions. You will see these priorities reflected in the children's lessons and activities at Playschool, in our school philosophies and policies, and in the way our staff and volunteers handle the children. We are a non-toxic, environmentally friendly, healthy-habits school, where children enjoy their activities and experience joy in learning.

Wednesdays and Thursdays are the "Fluent / Immersion Days". These days are an immersion program, with very little (if any) English spoken to the children. This encourages the children to use their German more, and teachers don't need to interrupt the children's program for translations.

Fridays are especially designed for our new learners! On "Learners / Bilingual Day", the children have their stories told bilingually so they can follow along and enjoy it all. They have specific target words and phrases presented to them. They, like the children on the fluent days, also play German games, sing German songs, and learn German rhymes and so on, of course. This style of teaching program is far more beneficial to a learner at this age, we find. This program is designed to help them move more confidently to the immersion class the following year. So on Friday, the focus is more about children being taught German (rather than being taught IN German).

There is loads more information in our Parent Handbook, a copy of which is a mouse-click away and in our Parent Volunteer Guide. If you wish to enrol your child, please contact us as soon as possible, as places are limited for this year, and waiting lists have started for 2011, 2012 and 2013.

GAP Fees

Fees for 2010 are:

Short sessions (9:30am to 1:30pm) cost $340 for a 10-week term.
Long sessions (9:30am to 3:30pm) cost $455 for a 10-week term.

(If the child attends two sessions, then double the amounts.)

There are 4 terms per year. Term dates are the same at the ACT government schools. The dates can be found at http://www.det.act.gov.au/school_education/term_dates_and_public_holidays

The GAP is a Registered Childcare Provider. Download our information sheet for families for more information about claiming your 50 cents per hour of care.  Please let our Financial Administrator know if you would like receipts.  They are issued at the end of each term, usually.

Considering Enrolling? Want to come and look around first?

Want to check us out first, before enrolling? We welcome visits to the German Playschool. We affectionately call them "Schnuppertage" (sniffing around days!) Prospective families are most welcome to come to the GAP and join in one of our sessions for free. Schnuppertage take place in week 2 and week 5 of each term. If you are enrolling your child for next year, it might be best to do your visit in term 4, ie October onwards. However, if you want to make your decision earlier, you are most welcome to come in terms 1-3.

Basically, we recommend arriving at the GAP around 9:20am. Bring morning tea and a water bottle. When you arrive, join straight in with the sign in process and some outdoor play. Please let us know (by email) which day you intend to come, so we can let the teachers know you are coming. (It is so much nicer and welcoming for your child, if the staff already know your child's name, and we can make sure there are enough craft items to include your child that day. Having children and their families feeling included and welcome is important to us.)

On arrival, children hang up their bags in the cloakroom, put their drink bottles on the counter, and their food in the fridge. Parents sign their children in, in the sign in book. (You will need to sign in as a visitor.) Most children usually take a little time to warm up, and so there is time each morning for all our children to play outdoors. When it is time to go inside, children hang up their hats and coats, with their bags.

When everyone has arrived, the teacher calls the children to "Morgenkreis" (morning circle) and the children sing a welcome song, and the theme of the day is discussed. After this, the children chant a little saying ("Rolle, rolle, rolle") about getting ready to eat, then they go to wash their hands and sit at the tables for morning tea, before going outside for outdoor play. We encourage you and your child to join in all the fun right from the start.

When the children go outside for outdoor play (usually around 10:30am), one of the staff or volunteers will have time to step aside and officially welcome you, give you the tour around and answer any questions you might have. After outdoor play, the children return indoors for some craft or special activity time. You are welcome to stay and participate in this too - in fact, we encourage you to do so, so that (with any luck, and depending on the program that day) your child will have something to take home to show everyone what we made at Playschool today!

Of course, as your child is not officially enrolled, you are responsible to supervise your own child while on the premises. Siblings are also made welcome, and are also your responsibility, naturally.

We look forward to your visit, and hope you have a great "Schnuppertag"!

Here's one family's account of their Schnuppertag: "At first I thought [my child] seemed a little uninterested, but we got home and he announced, "I can speak German: Alles"!!! ["Everything!"] He then requested a German video, and later a German bedtime story. He has since been asking to return, so it seems necessary that I should get his name on the waiting list!"

And another mother's comment: "This might sound crazy, but I took a look around the room at lunch time, and I could see that these kids are from families who really care about quality education and take the aims of the GAP seriously. All the lunches were quality, healthy meals - lots of fruit, vegetables, wholewheat bread, even some German rye breads (!) - and the kids were very at home with that. Even the way lots of the kids were dressed - there was a definite European quality to it. I had this feeling the kids there were expected to go far in life! I'd love [my child] to have that advantage in life of a second language. Where do I sign?!"

Does your child turn 3 mid-year?

If your child turns 3 part way through the year, she or he is welcome to start mid-year this year (any time after the child's 3rd birthday). Please enrol as early as possible though. You don't need to wait until their birthday to enrol. And you don't necessarily need to wait until the new year, unless you want to. In fact, as your child's third birthday approaches, they can even attend the GAP while he/she is still 2 years old, as long as a parent or guardian stays with him/her.

How much German can I expect my child to learn at the GAP?

Children in the 0-5 year age range are in language acquisition mode developmentally. This is by far the best time in life to expose them to a second language (but this should not deter you from exposing them to it at ANY age). Indeed, all long-standing research into bilingualism shows that learning a second language actually enriches and enhances the acquisition and use of the first language.

We find that typically, by the end of Term 1, children attending one or two days a week can understand the routine expressions. They understand words like: morning circle, hand washing, drying, hats, lunch, eating; plus the names of a few colours, parts of the body or items of clothing.

It can be difficult for the non-German speaking parent to assess their child's progress. Language learners of all ages develop a passive understanding of the language before they begin an active use of it. The best method to assess your child's comprehension levels is to check with the teachers.

What a parent can expect is to hear one or two German words dropped into regular conversation, or the child trying out the language to him or herself. Parents also comment that they overhear their children singing snippets of songs, counting, or chanting... which is great.

Occasional use of German words or phrases interspersed into regular conversation, participation in routines in classroom, following instructions in German, figuring out, "If I am wearing something green, then it is my turn to go and wash my hands," etc., answering German questions in English, participation in sport and games when instructed in German, are all things our teachers will be watching for to assess the children's progress.

How can I help my child to learn German?

At home: read stories, listen to CDs, listen to stories on CD, watch videos, talk to them in German as much as possible, put the German radio program on (Bretzelfunk Thursday mornings 7-9am on 91.1FM) in the background, play German CDs in the car and at home (even if they are adult oriented - just to give the children the lilt and feel of the language, which all helps).

Whether you speak a smattering of German or only English at home, you can download the GAP Sign Language posters, and start using the sign language together with either the German or the English words, in your day to day activities with your child. Eventually, your child will understand what is meant when only the German word and the sign are presented (as they are at the GAP) - with no need for an English translation. This is an excellent way for the brain to make a direction connection with comprehension and the German word, without the need for an internal translation to English.

Hire a German speaking babysitter. Email the Spielwelt address for a list of German speaking babysitters in Canberra, including some of our wonderfully qualified teaching staff.

How to support fluent children 5yrs plus: (ie from bilingual homes): Join Pfadfinder Scouts (more info on this webpage), continue to meet with German friends, go to Brindabella Christian College, go to another school that teaches German (as of 2010 all ACT schools will teach a LOTE, and Mount Rogers Primary School in Melba is offering German now (as are the neighbouring Copland College and Melba High School), enrol at the German Language School for Saturday morning classes (children and adults).

How to support learner children 5yrs plus: Join Pfadfinder Scouts (medium comprehension levels minimum; and subject to 5 fluent:1 learner ratio of children in Scout group... BUT we are taking expressions of interest for a German-Learner Scout group, so please let us know if you would be interested in that group), go to Brindabella Christian College, go to another school that teaches German (as of 2010 all ACT schools will teach a LOTE), enrol at the German Language School for Saturday morning classes (children and adults).

Enrol now!

Please click on this link to download our 2010 enrolment form (v5) which you can fill in on-screen and email to us.

Spielwelt German Parents Association Inc. PO Box 835 Belconnen ACT 2616 T: (02) 6251 7743 E: spielwelt@homemail.com.au

German Experience Week for 2-4 yr olds

German Experience Weeks run in the October school holidays.

Children 2-4 years old can come to experience a taste of the German Australian Playschool, with the flavour of the German playgroups. This is an ideal opportunity to do something different in the school holidays; or to see if your child would enjoy the GAP; or for our current GAP enrollees to bring their younger siblings along to try out their playschool! Each day has a different theme. We sing, we bake, we play, we eat morning tea alfresco, we hear stories... all in German.... and the kids love it!

For 2010, the dates will be Tues 28 September to Fri 1 October; from 9:30am to 12 noon. The cost is likely to be around $95 per child.

Playschool or Playgroup? What are the differences?

At Playschool, our qualified paid staff run excellent programs, and parents return to pick children up when the session finishes. Playschool sessions typically run once or twice a week for 4 to 6 hours. At playgroups, however, parents stay with their children to participate in the fun and games; and these typically meet once a week for 2 hours.

2. German Playgroups in Canberra

Spiel und Spass (0-5 yrs)

The Spiel und Spass playgroup meets on Tuesdays from 10am to 12 noon, during ACT public school terms, at the home of the GAP and the Pfadfinder Scouts, at the Scout Hall at 5 Masson Street in Turner. Park outside the building, and follow the red "Kinder" arrow to the playground gate.

This group is for 0-5 year olds.

You may attend any ACT playgroup twice without paying the PGA or individual playgroup fees, to see if you like it or not.

The aim of Spiel und Spass playgroup is to promote the German language amongst our children, and have a great time together! We do crafts, play, sing songs, read stories, celebrate German holidays and have very exciting themes each term. We occasionally have guest speakers and go on excursions. Sometimes it is the English speaking parent (from a German bilingual home or a non-German home) who brings the children to playgroup, so sometimes you will hear English spoken at the group. You will notice that German is used where possible though, but particularly that German is used when interacting with the children. You are encouraged to bring a healthy snack or piece of fruit for your child's morning tea. At the end of each session, everyone pitches in to help tidy up the room again.

The group is LOADS of fun for the kids, and there is a really lovely sense of family and friendship amongst the mums and dads who attend.

The fees for Spiel und Spass are $35 per term, with $5 for each extra sibling over 6 months old. As a paid-up member, you are entitled to make use of our library. Be sure to check out a booklet we have called, "Raising Children Bilingually in Australia", which we've found very useful and informative.

Spiel und Spurfinder (5 yrs)

Spiel und Spurfinder playgroup takes 5 year olds, and they meet together with the Joey Scouts on Monday evenings from 6-7pm at the Scout Hall. They do all the activities that Joey-Scouts do, but will have white scarves (instead of the red/yellow ones that Pfadfinder have). As this is a playgroup, parents stay with their children for this.

Want to join our Playgroup?

If you decide to be a member of any playgroup in Canberra, you must join the Playgroups Association (PGA) (about $30 per family (or $20 concession) per year). This covers your insurance, and gets you a quarterly magazine. You can then join as many playgroups as you like (there are many English ones of course, and there are also French, Spanish, Indonesian and Hungarian playgroups in the ACT).

To join Spiel und Spass, see our Playgroup Activities Coordinator on Tuesday morning at playgroup. You might like to email Spielwelt first to let us know you are coming, or just show up when you are ready!

Bringing a new baby to playgroup?

Babies love all the excitement of a playgroup. It can be a bit overwhelming at first though. We used to find it helpful to give our baby a nice warm bath as soon as we got home from playgroup, to help relax the baby again, and it seemed to really help our baby not to catch all the coughs and colds that older kids can sometimes bring to the group. (Second and third children's immune systems seem to be already used to this exposure and stimulation - but first babies may not be.)

3. German Australian Pfadfinder Scouts

Scouts for boys and girls, aged 6* years and up, in German, in Canberra! What a great way for your child to practice, use and maintain their German! Join us now! Come along for a free trial, before you decide -- we are sure you'll be impressed! Our leaders are fantastic,energetic, enthusiastic, and deliver an amazing program.

*Parents may bring 5 year olds along to participate, as long as the parent accompanies them and takes full responsibility for them at all times. These children will belong to our Spiel und Spurfinder playgroup.

Join the boys and girls of Canberra's only language-based Scout group, the German Australian Pfadfinder Scouts, as a Joey (6-8 years) or a Cub (8-10 years), or a Scout (11+).

Children need to know enough German to understand basic instructions. Fluent and passive bilingual children are given priority enrolment. Children learning German are also welcome as long as our 5 to 1 fluent to learner ratio is met.

Would you be interested in a German-learner Scout group? Please let us know!

What you need to know:
* Boys and Girls
* Meetings at the First Canberra Scout Hall, in Turner -- close to the centre of Canberra -- great access for north and south siders!
* Mondays, 6-7pm, for Joeys (6-8 years) and Cubs (8-10 years) and Scouts (11 years plus)
* Program is delivered in German
* Five-year-olds may join Joeys as Spurfinder, but their parent must remain with them until their 6th birthday, for insurance reasons.
* Scouts costs $50 per term (4 terms per year), plus uniform, and occasional excursions.

The GAP photos were taken a few years ago... those same kids have grown a bit older and now they are the inaugural members of our Pfadfinder group! Here they are, test-driving the Scouts' canoe and their new Scout scarves. Our scarves are yellow (like Scouts in Germany) and red (the common colour which appears on the German, Austrian, Swiss and Australian flags).

Here's some info about Scouts in general

Scouts has the aim of developing young people physically, intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and socially. Scouting emphasises nature, adventure, citizenship, leadership and having FUN!!! Join the world's largest youth organisation - SCOUTS!

JOEYS (6-8 years)

You can jump into Joeys and have lots and lots of fun! The Joeys' motto is HOP: Help Other People.

Boys and girls in Joey Scouts have lots of adventure and make new friends. You'll learn all about nature, sing songs, go on fun trips, make crafts, play games and even do some cooking! Sometimes we have special visitors who'll help Joeys Scouts with nature knowledge.

Do you know how to cook chocolate spiders? Or how to make a waterscope and see under the water? You can learn this at Joeys. You can even make your own frog puppets, and earn your very own badges.

When you're a Joey Scout you'll have a special Joey Scout scarf, a woggle to keep it in place, and your own Joey Scout shirt.

When you are older, you can then join Cubs, the next stage of Scouting. Then you can become a Scout, Venturer Scout, and finally, a Rover when you're 17.

CUBS (8-10 years)

Cub Scouts have a lot of fun doing a lot of interesting things! There are games to play, codes and skills to learn, places to see and new friends to meet. Cub Scouts all help each other, and try to help other people too. And you'll be able to collect special badges to put on your uniform to show your achievements.

Cub Scouts can earn achievement badges by doing things that interest them and by learning new skills like cycling, electronics, sports, cookery, boating, writing and more. There are also special Boomerang Badges earned by doing things like tying knots, first aid, hiking in the bush and building models. There are three levels: Bronze, Silver and Gold Boomerang Badges.

Cub Scouts also have a special Cub Scout scarf, a woggle to keep it in place, and their own Cub Scout shirt.

You'll learn the Scout Salute, the Handshake, the Motto, the Grand Howl, Pack Calls, the Cub Scout Law and the Cub Scout Promise. The leaders will help you. You'll soon be making friends with the other Cub Scouts and having a terrific time!

4. Where else can I find German in Canberra?

Other German Groups in Canberra

There are a number of other German groups (for adults and families) in Canberra. There is a German choir, German radio shows, a German language school, German info centre, etc. Download a list and the contact details of these groups.

5. New to Canberra or Australia?

Health First

The ACT Government runs a free program called Health First. You can ring any time (24 hours / day, 7 days a week) and talk to a nurse about any health issue you or your child has. Anything from 'my child has a fever' to 'my pregnancy is feeling unusual' or even 'my child has had a bump on the head and seems groggy, what should I do?" They will give you advice about home-treatment or what sort of treatment you should seek. By all accounts, they are excellent, and give fantastic advice, and are friendly and helpful. The number is 6207 7777. Put that on your fridge door!

Info on Living, Working, Childcare and more in Canberra

There is a great publication from the Dept of Immigration on living in Canberra. It covers taxes, education, childcare, working, and much much more. You can download it in German

www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/settle-in-australia/beginning-life/_pdf/act/ger.pdf

or in English

www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/settle-in-australia/beginning-life/_pdf/act/eng.pdf

You can also download our Welcome Pack (compiled by Spiel und Spass parents, editted by Jo Nebel) for Germans / Austrians / Swiss families new to Canberra... find out where to buy "proper" bread, second hand kids' clothes, where to borrow a cot, where are the Sunday markets, where you can buy organic produce, and much more...

Was your child born overseas or interstate?

Children living in Canberra are entitled to a "Blue Book" (children's health record book). You can get one by ringing 6207 9977. Get yourself enrolled for the free government-run Maternal And Child Health (MACH) program, so that you can see a nurse with any health questions you have, for free. They can also see to your child's immunisation if you wish.

6. Information about other schools in Canberra

Other bilingual schools and playgroups in Canberra

* Yarralumla Italian Primary School http://www.yarralumlaps.act.edu.au
* Chinese Australian Early Childhood Center http://alma.anu.edu.au/chineseschool.htm
* Mandarin Intensive Program at Mawson Primary School http://www.mawsonps.act.edu.au
* French Australia Preschool at Telopea http://www.frenchaustralianpreschool.com.au
* Telopea Park School, Lycee Franco-Australien de Canberra http://www.telopea.act.edu.au/home
* St Nicholas Greek Australian Preschool and Childcare Centre, in Yarralumla - 6285 2669
* All sorts of other language playgroups in Canberra - contact ACT Playgroups Association for details playgroupsact@ixa.net.au
* Italian playgroup called *I Tresorini* in Canberra - contact xenophilia [at] hotmail.com or ring 0415 691 050  and see http://itesoriniplaygroup.weebly.com/
* AlphaTykes offer French, Italian and Spanish to kids 18months to 3 years  www.alphatykes.com.au  and they have a program at the Southside Community Centre in Narrabundah

* French Playgroup *Petites Etoiles * : Children 0-5 years old can enjoy playgroup activities, crafts, songs and play time in French. The French Playgroup * Petites Etoiles * meets at the Turner Scout Hall on Monday mornings (during school terms) from 9:30-11:30am. Bring your own morning tea. Cost is $45 per family per term, which goes towards hiring the hall and some basic early education equipment, and the development of a French children's library for 0-5 year olds and their families. For more info email Anna atitalauschick@ yahoo.com.au (take out the space after the @ symbol when you type in the email address)

Schools offering German in Canberra

German Language School (6-18 yrs plus adult)

German Language School runs Saturday morning programs, see www.actgermanschool.org.au or contact ACTGermanSchool@yahoo.de

German LOTE Schools

LOTE = Language Other Than English. LOTEs are typically taught 1 hour per week.

Brindabella Christian College has German as a LOTE from P-10 www.bcc.act.edu.au

Mount Rogers Primary School (public school in Melba) from K-6. You can then go on to:

Melba High School and Copland College, which both offer German (as do quite a few other secondary schools in Canberra).

Orana Steiner School in Weston http://www.oranaschool.com/

See Dept of Ed website for other public schools offering German as a LOTE. There will be a LOTE in every school in the ACT from 2010, and German is one of the eight languages selected for teaching in the ACT... so we should see an improvement soon! Here is the link to which public schools teach which LOTE this year: http://www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/word_doc/0013/20461/Languages-in-Schools.doc

Looking for other playschools in Canberra?

A list of the other great playschools in Canberra, together with their contact details, can be

downloaded here. The other playschools are English only.

7. Community, Supporters and Links

Our German groups in the Community

From time to time, all the Spielwelt groups get together for excursions and to celebrate traditional German holidays, like the ever-popular Lantern Walk, and our own home-made fun at Story Night. We very often hear positive feedback from the community about how enthusiastic, polite and cheerful our group is.

German Community Notices

German choir is taking new members! The German Harmonie Choir is accepting new members. No audition necessary. They rehearse weekly at the German Harmonie club in Narrabundah, ACT, and perform all over Canberra and sometimes interstate too. They sing in German and in English, but you don't need to speak German to be in the choir. Email their dynamic and enthusiastic president on ckhummel@hotmail.com for more information.

House sitters available. Planning a trip? Going away? Free house-sitting available. Retired professional couple will look after your home, pets, garden, and mail, in exchange for accommodation. They pay for their own electricity and phone calls. Non-smokers. References available. As one client said, "They were the best house sitters we've ever had. It was real peace of mind for us while we were away. They walked our dogs, and cared for our garden better than we do! We can't wait to go away again next year." - Paul and Shirley, Aranda Email spielwelt@homemail.com.au to enquire about booking this couple to house sit your home in Canberra.

Our Patrons Professor Roger Hillman (Australian National University - German) "Canberra's multicultural strengths must be enhanced by the enterprising children's programs run by the Spielwelt German Parents Association: the German language playgroups, the German Australian Playschool, and the Pfadfinder Scouts. These kinds of programs enrich both English- and German-speaking communities. The opportunity to consolidate, or be exposed to, a second language at such a young age is enviable: For pronunciation, vocabulary, ease of acquisition, I wish I'd had it! Beyond that there is the opportunity and challenge of cultural socialization. To manage all that, while retaining the element of play, is a wonderful achievement. These programs are sure to offer a rich experience and lots of fun for the children enrolled. Viel Spass und alles Gute!"
Dr Klaus-Peter Klaiber, former German Ambassador, Distinguished visiting fellow at the ANU, former Assistant Secretary General to NATO "Greetings as a patron. I am very supportive of the successful establishment of German language playgroups, the German Australian Playschool and the German Australian Pfadfinder Scouts in Australia's capital city Canberra. As a former diplomat, I know from experience in many different countries that a sound education and the mastery of foreign languages is the key to lasting success in our globalised world. The earlier children are introduced to different cultures and languages, the better they will appreciate our fascinating planet earth. I therefore wish the Spielwelt German children's groups the best of success."
Professor Michael Clyne Emeritus Professor, School of Languages Cultures and Linguistics, Monash University Hon. Professorial Fellow, School of Languages and Linguistics, University of Melbourne "I am delighted to be a patron of Spielwelt. It propagates the kind of Australia that I strive to be part of, a culturally inclusive Australia. Both through its own activities (including playschool, language classes, bilingual scouting) and through information dissemination about other organisations, it encourages bilingualism and biculturalism in Australia at all levels from early childhood to adult. It collaborates with and encourages similar activities in other language groups. "Spielwelt is one of the grassroots organisations which aims to break down the hurdle of monolingualism and to overcome the monolingual mindset in this country. "Bilingualism is not only a key to two cultures and for many an expression of multiple identities. Nor is it just an investment in a global future. Most importantly it promotes a different kind of cognitive development with potential advantages to the individual across the life span and to this multicultural nation."

Supporters and Donors

The German Australian Playschool, playgroups and Pfadfinder would like to thank the following people and organisations who generously supported us:

• The ACT Government's Community Support and Infrastructure grant in Dec 2009 ($12,000)
• The ACT Government's Community Support and Infrastructure grant in Dec 2008 ($35,000)
• The ACT Government's Multicultural Grants Program - for grants in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 (ranging between $800 and $3000)
  
• The ACT Government's Community Language Grants program - grant in May 2009
• The German Embassy - for establishment costs for Pfadfinder Scouts, and gifts for GAP www.canberra.diplo.de
• Steve Dodt of Canberra Online - for website services and hosting
• Bunnings Belconnen - for fundraising opportunities and donations of equipment
• Scullin Preschool P&C - for allowing us to use their outdoor equipment and sharing their premises in 2007 and 2008
• Theodore Primary School - for the donation of German educational books
• Canberra Preschool Society - for their administrative support
• The Hofer Family - for the donation of German books from overseas
• The Rankin Family - for the donation of German children's books
• Glenn from the Mind Games store in Canberra www.mindgamescanberra.com for a raffle prize donation
• Pharmacists Ms Honor Combley and Ms Cathy Rice from Wanniassa Capital Chemist - for a raffle prize donation
• Angus & Robertson Belconnen
• EcoHeat- for the supply and installation of an environmentally friendly solar space heater / cooler. www.ecoheat.com.au
• Rivoland Tiles - for the supply of heavily discounted floor tiles www.rivoland.com.au
• Rodgers Electrical - for installation of heating/air conditioning rodgerselectrical (at) bigpond.com
• E&E Stephan - for cash donation to Pfadfinder Scouts
• The Klaiber Family - for donations of German children's toys
• Clark Rubber - for huge discounts on the plastic cones for our traditional First Day of School Gifts www.clarkrubber.com.au
• K&K Glass (be sure to ask for Kevin Stephenson) - for fitting our new windows at a great price www.kkglass.net
• Three families who each wish to remain anonymous, who donated money towards a little girl's GAP fees and made it possible for her to attend
• Super Toy World and Hobbies store in Fyshwick, Canberra, for their kind donation of German language toys for our Nikolaus presents at Spiel und Spass in 2009 www.toyworldact.com
• Chris at Badgelink for great service and super name badges www.badgelink.com.au
• the Pfadfinder Leaders who volunteer their time every week and some weekends to run amazing activities for the Scouts
• and to all the GAP parents who generously donate of their time and expertise, to make the GAP the wonderful place it is.
• Spielwelt endorses and recommends Smartkiddies Maths:
Smartkiddies Maths, learn maths online

Have FUN while learning maths, kids maths games, worksheets, lessons, videos and activities. Smartkiddies is developed exclusively by experienced teachers and is school curriculum based, No 1 for primary school use.

Links

• Deutsche Schule Melbourne http://www.dsm.org.au
• Society for Australian-German Student Exchange (SAGSE) http://sagse.org.au
• Network of Australian Teachers of German http://wwwausdaf.edu.au
• German International School Sydney http://www.germanschoolsydney.com
• A wonderful collection of German nursery rhymes and songs (including some sung by the GAP children!), with translations and free downloadable tunes and sometimes sheet music http://www.mamalisa.com/?p=235&t=ec&c=38
• German stories read aloud for young kids online, and links for teachers of German:ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/languages/Goldilocks/default.htm and www.bayswaterps.vic.edu.au/lote/interactive.html
• A site dedicated to all things concerning bilingual families in Australia http://www.lingo.org.au
• German lessons for children online www.education.vic.gov.au/languagesonline/german/german.htm

Recent Events

Winter Lantern Walk 2009 Thanks to the 300 or so folk who joined us for the traditional German Lantern Walk ( the Laternenumzug ) in Glebe Park (in Civic) on Sunday 21 June, 2009, from 6pm to 7:30pm. We enjoyed Gluehwein, Kindergluehwein, Sankt Martins Broetchen, sausages, rolls and desserts all for a gold coin donation each. Prams, grandparents, friends, parents, children - anyone with an interest in the German lantern walk - were all made welcome. Song sheets helped us to sing along with the saxophone and guitar.. and an enchanting parade of bobbing lanterns lit up the park!

Official Opening The German Australian Playschool was officially opened in February 2007 by the (then) German Ambassador Martin Lutz, and ACT Multicultural Minister John Hargreaves MLA.