Six daycare centers in West Mecklenburg recognized as nun-Kita M-V”!

Six daycare centers in West Mecklenburg recognized as nun-Kita M-V”!

On October 6, 2025, twelve daycare centers from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania were awarded the title “nun-Kita M-V” in Schwerin. This title stands for “North German and sustainable” and highlights the special role that these institutions play in education for sustainable development (ESD). For daycare centers, this is not only a nice title, but also an important signal in times when sustainability is becoming increasingly important. Education Minister Simone Oldenburg emphasized how essential daycare centers are as learning places to teach children the skills for sustainable development, reports NDR.

The excellent facilities did not appear out of nowhere. Starting in April 2024, the teams took part in five intensive workshops that prepared for a comprehensive certification process. In spring 2025, a three-person assessment team visited the daycare centers to ensure that they meet the criteria for the award. This also included the development of a quality framework as part of the “Kita der Zukunft” project, which aims at a holistic ESD approach.

The prize winners

The twelve award-winning daycare centers are:

• Kita Rappelkiste in Rostock
• Hort Jenaplanschule in Rostock
• Kindergarten der Werkstattschule in Rostock
• Kita Zwergenparadies in Leezen
• Kita Sternberger Kinnings in Sternberg
• Hort Paulo Freire Schule in Parchim
• Kita Peermoor in Herrnburg
• Kita Stadtspatzen in Wismar
• Kita Neumühler Strolche in Schwerin
• Kita Uns Darßer Kinnerstuw in Prerow
• Kita SpielZeit in Neustrelitz
• Montessori Kinderhaus in Hinrichshagen (HGW)

The entire process is supported by Über.Morgen gGmbH in collaboration with the state ESD working group and runs from August 2023 to March 2026 with funding of around 130,670 euros.

Importance of ESD

Education for sustainable development aims to raise awareness of the consequences of one's own actions beyond one's personal environment. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has supported this approach since 2015 and coordinates the implementation of the UNESCO programs for ESD in Germany. The goal is clear: sustainability should be firmly anchored in all areas of education. And this means that the daycare centers that apply for the award can also make a valuable contribution to the development of their little protégés.

ESD is a sub-goal of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations and serves not only to promote equal opportunities, but also to improve the quality of life for everyone. Therefore, committed daycare centers will continue to have the opportunity to be recognized as “nun-Kita M-V” in the future. This is another step in the right direction to integrate sustainability into our children's everyday lives, according to Minister Oldenburg's assessment.

An all-round successful project that shows how early childhood education can lay a strong foundation for a sustainable future. Responsibility for our environment is also taught from an early age. We can only hope that many more daycare centers will follow this example and become actively involved in ESD.

NDR reports about the award of the daycare centers. The state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania highlights the importance of ESD, and that BMBF provides the framework for implementation.