Klimabiber - Climate and Sustainability Education in Daycare Centers

The Added Value of ESD—How Daycare Centers in Erlangen Benefit from the Klimabiber Project:

1. Your daycare center becomes a place of learning about sustainable development: This involves improving the quality of education in line with ESD principles.
2. You invest in the professional development of your educators. And we contribute factual knowledge, methods, and educational approaches, while providing a personal connection to the topic.
3. The project creates a motivating ESD network: We facilitate exchange among participating daycare centers and with relevant local ESD stakeholders.
4. You’ll develop ideas for the long-term implementation of the Whole Kita Approach in your own facility: Together and individually, you’ll shape a sustainable (educational) daily routine.
5. Upon request, our subject matter experts provide guidance on aligning material procurement, operations, and resource management with the principle of sustainability.
6. Your center will embark on a journey to embed sustainability in its strategic and organizational development, as well as in its mission statement and quality management concept.

Would you like more information about the project? Please feel free to contact us.

Content and Structure of the training modules

Holistic Climate and Sustainability Education in Erlangen Daycare Centers

Training Coordinator: BavarianAssociation for Bird and Nature Conservation (LBV), ESD-certified

Module 1: Introduction to the ESD Educational Concept (+ SDGs)

Module 2: Introduction to the Whole Kita Approach: Individual Assessment and Action Plan

Module 3: Pedagogical Practice with a Focus on Climate: Implementation Methods and Best Practice Examples

Module 4: AnchoringESD in the Educational Concept: Focus on Participation and Project Planning

Module 5: Creating Optimal Conditions: Individual Solutions for Obstacles

Module 6: BuildingNetworks with ESD Stakeholders and Expanding Educational Partnerships with Parents

Working Framework: Agenda 2030, ESD Reference Framework for Early Childhood Education, BayBEP.

Project Content:

1. ESD Training Series for Early Childhood Education

For early childhood educators

• Educators serve as advocates for ESD in the childcare center.
• Establishment of an ESD team to implement the measures.
• Support with educational materials (handouts, checklists, and much more).
• Assignments for independent actions and initiatives.
• Individual support.

2. Consulting Services: Support for the sustainable management of the facility

For operating agencies, daycare center directors, housekeeping staff, and custodians

Environmental Office’s consulting portfolio:

• Energy consulting, energy-saving tips
• Climate adaptation, heat protection
• Sustainable procurement
• Sustainable (organic) nutrition
• Waste management consulting, waste separation
• Biodiversity: Natural gardens, greenery in facilities
• and much more

Support through the publication of a funding guide.

3rd Network Meeting on ESD Projects & Sustainability Measures in Daycare Centers

For “Klimabiber” daycare centers

• Mutual exchange, peer-to-peer consultation.
• Deepening and supporting the transformation process.
• Presentation of implemented measures and projects; sharing of best-practice examples.
• Speed dating with external ESD stakeholders and learning venues in Erlangen.

4. Recognizing Commitment—Awarding Certificates to Participants

For early childhood educators and “Klimabiber” daycare centers

• Awards ceremony honoring the daycare centers.
• Ceremonial presentation of certificates to educators in the Klimabiber project.
• Recognition for commitment to climate protection and exemplary measures to promote greater sustainability in daycare practice.
• Accompanying public relations efforts: Reports on the commitment of the daycare centers as flagship institutions for ESD in Erlangen.
• Participation in an evaluation.

Training series “ESD in Early Childhood Education”—good to know:

Duration: October 2026 through September 2028, 2 years

Scope: 6 modules of 6 hours each, 2 networking meetings

Target audience: Educators in Erlangen’s nurseries, kindergartens, after-school care centers, and elementary school classrooms across all providers

Cost: Free of charge for the professional development series and consultation, including workshop materials and refreshments

Certificate: issued to the childcare center and the educator

We would like to thank the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region Climate Fund, the Erlangen Community Foundation, the Mauss-Daeschler Foundation, and other donors for their financial support of this project.

Anyone interested in participating in the project can find all the information about fundraising on the website of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region Climate Fund. Thank you very much!