Kindergartenmuseum Nordrhein-Westfalen

About the museum

Behind the Kindergartenmuseum is a nonprofit association that was founded in 1994 to collect evidence of public early childhood care. Ten years later, in 2004, the museum opened at Quirlsberg in the center of Bergisch Gladbach. It sees itself as the only museum of its kind so far in North Rhine-Westphalia and is still run almost entirely by volunteers and financed through membership fees, donations, admissions, and tours.

On about 200 square meters in the lower part of the Protestant youth center Q1, the exhibition traces over 200 years of institutional child care – from the early custodial institutions (Bewahranstalten) through the Fröbel kindergarten to today's daycare center. A fully furnished group room from the 1970s, furniture from a GDR nursery, and display cases with play materials after Fröbel, Montessori, and Steiner make differences in educational concepts visible.

Further rooms are devoted to the training of kindergarten teachers and educators, including during the Nazi era, as well as toys, dolls, and picture books from middle-class nurseries. Most recently the exhibition was expanded with areas on Reggio and Pikler pedagogy. In addition to tours in the museum, the association offers online tours and visits daycare centers and senior care facilities with a museum suitcase full of historic toys.

Highlights

• Originally furnished kindergarten room of the 1970s
• Nursery furniture and play materials from the GDR
• Play and work materials after Fröbel, Montessori, and Steiner
• Areas on Reggio and Pikler pedagogy
• Toys, dollhouses, and picture books in the "Schätzchenraum" (treasures room)

Permanent exhibitions

• Geschichte der Kinderbetreuung – Seven rooms show the path from early care institutions to today's daycare center – with a furnished 1970s group room, GDR nursery, educators' room, and toy collection.

Founded

2004

Operated by

Kindergarten-Museum NRW e.V.

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is accessible at ground level via the upper side entrance of the youth center Q1.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Getting there & parking

The museum is at the end of the pedestrian zone next to the Protestant Gnadenkirche; arrival by bus and train is recommended.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

The seminar and special exhibition room with about 20 seats, tea kitchen, screen, and flip chart can be rented for training courses and conferences.

Plan your visit