Aunt Elke says goodbye after 40 years - a moving farewell!

Aunt Elke says goodbye after 40 years - a moving farewell!

On June 14, 2025, an emotional farewell party for the long-time daycare center manager Elke Reichow took place in the “Kastanienstübchen” village daycare center in Carmzow. After more than 40 years in child care, the educator, affectionately known by everyone as “Aunt Elke,” is retiring. Her daycare career began in 1981 in what was then the GDR, where she initially worked in various roles, including daycare director, before taking over the management of the facility in 2010. Her tireless passion and dedication to the children she looked after until they started school are part of the many ups and downs she experienced during her tenure. The challenging time after the fall of the Wall particularly shaped her path, but she never wanted to work anywhere else and always put her heart and soul into supporting her little protégés. Mayor Jörn Muranko, himself a former daycare visitor, acknowledged her commitment and initiated the search for her successor, Vanessa Glöde.

The farewell party was a surprise party attended not only by current parents but also by former children who brought gifts. The children of the daycare created a touching moment when they sang a song and presented the outgoing director with a garden bench with their handprints as a souvenir. This gesture shows how deeply Elke Reichow is anchored in the hearts of children. The celebration was accompanied by flowers and bushes, which were presented to her as a token of appreciation. With a beaming smile, Elke is now looking forward to the upcoming adventures in retirement, which will include more time with the family and travel.

A farewell full of emotions

Saying goodbye is particularly important when handing over daycare places to school. As a tour of the lovingly decorated rooms shows, saying goodbye is an important, emotional step for many children. At the Arche Noah daycare center in Hornberg, this transition is celebrated with a colorful festival. With lively music, the Maxi children proudly march in a line through homemade rainbows, clouds and hearts. The song “I’ll give you a rainbow” is played here while colorful soap bubbles enchant the air.

The children use this opportunity to write their wishes for the start of school on cards, which they then release into the sky with balloons. This ritual symbolizes the hope for feedback as the little adventurers playfully start their new phase of life. Such farewell parties not only provide an emotional setting, but also enable the children to show off the skills they have learned in front of friends and family.

An important time in children's lives

The farewell parties are of great importance not only for the children, but also for the teachers. After all, this is a new phase of life for the children, who often have to say goodbye to friends and trusted teachers. With a comprehensive program that ranges from dancing and singing to lovingly designed gifts, the farewell will be an unforgettable experience. Parents are also actively involved by contributing various dishes to the buffet. Such communal celebrations strengthen solidarity and leave behind wonderful memories of the children's time in kindergarten.

Whether in the “Kastanienstübchen” or in the Arche Noah daycare center – farewell parties are the highlight of every kindergarten year and a nice opportunity to properly honor the experiences gained before the children set off on their next adventures.