Kettiger Zwergenwiese is a child day-care service in Kettig, Germany, founded by Lisa Watembach to bring together early childhood care, nature and animals. Watembach studied pedagogy, with a focus on child and youth services, and has experience working with children as a riding instructor and in an employer-based day-care setting. The service operates from a ground-floor home with a bright playroom, reading and quiet areas, shared dining space, and sleeping facilities for up to five children.

A large, enclosed garden offers outdoor play equipment, a sandpit and mud kitchen, as well as a separate enclosure for two sheep and four chickens. Children can help feed and care for the animals and collect eggs, while ponies and nearby small-animal attractions provide additional opportunities for contact with animals. The care approach emphasizes outdoor exploration, sensory and motor development, social skills, responsibility, and children’s participation in decisions.

Children are encouraged to choose activities and learn through play, everyday routines, and caring for their surroundings