And now? Daycare centers often can no longer guarantee reliable care!

German daycare centers are increasingly short of staff. In order to ensure that they can continue to operate, they are working in emergency mode. At the expense of safety, says the VBE education association.

According to a survey, the shortage of staff in German daycare centers continues to grow. According to nursery managers, this is leading to a high workload and poorer educational quality. The information comes from a survey conducted by the Association for Education and Training (VBE) in cooperation with the company Fleet Education Events. According to the survey, an estimated 10,000 daycare centers worked with too few staff more than half the time last year.

A so-called staff shortage always occurs when fewer employees are on duty than required by the guidelines, for example, for supervisory duties. According to the survey, the affected daycare centers were only able to open by violating these specifications.

“On average, the daycare centers were able to maintain operations on more than every other day only by jeopardizing the safety of the children in their care,” the report says. In the past three years, the numbers of facilities unable to guarantee reliable care at times have thus doubled.

The results of the survey are presented annually at the Kitalleitungskongress (DKLK) in Düsseldorf.

They are considered an important indicator of the situation in German daycare centers. This year, 5,387 daycare center managers took part in the survey – more than ever before.

Ninety-five percent of respondents said that the staff shortage had worsened over the past twelve months and that it had become even more difficult to fill vacancies with suitable applicants. According to the respondents, this has had a particular impact on pedagogical quality. In 87 percent of the facilities, educational offerings and team meetings had to be cancelled. More than every second daycare center had to close earlier and merge groups.

Motivation to work decreases

Because educators are absent and caregivers are constantly changing, there is also a lack of exchange. More than 80 percent of the nursery managers surveyed said that professional topics can be discussed less frequently. According to the respondents, this also includes observing and documenting certain child behaviors. 89 percent have less time to prepare educational activities and reflect on their own work.

The stressful workload further exacerbates the tense situation because specialists are absent or sick more often – almost all respondents confirm this. A quarter of the nursery managers stated that employees had resigned in the past year because of the staff shortage.

Permanent emergency operations, excessive demands and a lack of time are now leading to less motivation to work in many facilities. More than four out of five daycare center managers report that employees are dissatisfied with their pedagogical work (83 percent) and that the lack of staff is taking away their enjoyment of their work (89 percent). Satisfaction with doing the job, on the other hand, has dropped only slightly (seven percent). Eighty percent of those surveyed still enjoy their management work very much.

The respondents who work under difficult conditions feel valued above all by the children and parents – and least of all by the politicians. The appreciation by local politics (37 percent) is perceived as stronger in comparison to the appreciation by state (15 percent) or federal politics (12 percent). There was a particularly significant drop in appreciation from state and federal politics.

“Urgent call for help”

“These are frightening results that make it clear that policymakers are not living up to their legal responsibilities. They are an urgent call for help and an obligation to act,” said Tomi Neckov, federal vice president of the Education Association.
In response to the survey results, the VBE calls for a “reliable, coordinated funding community of the federal government, states, municipalities and providers.” If supervisory duties could not be fulfilled due to a lack of staff, countermeasures would have to be taken immediately.

“In the coming years, a large proportion of management positions in Germany will have to be filled, and the all-day requirement further increases the need for personnel,” Neckov said. “There is an acute need for action.”

What Kindergarten & Caring People in Germany are earning:

The salary for kindergarten caring people in Germany can vary depending on several factors, such as location, education level, years of experience, and the specific employer. According to the German Federal Employment Agency, the average gross monthly salary for a kindergarten teacher in Germany is around 3,000 to 3,500 euros.

However, it’s important to note that the salary can vary depending on the type of institution where the kindergarten teacher is employed. Public institutions usually pay higher salaries than private ones. Additionally, kindergarten teachers who hold a university degree or have completed additional training may be eligible for a higher salary.

It’s also important to note that in Germany, employees typically pay a portion of their salary towards social security and other benefits, such as health insurance and pension contributions. This can reduce the take-home pay of kindergarten teachers compared to their gross salary.

What kind of different jobs you can find in Kindergarten and child caring branche?

there are different jobs related to kindergarten and child care in Germany, and wages vary based on job position, experience, and qualifications. Here are some examples of job positions and estimated wages according to information available as of my knowledge cutoff date:

1. Kindergarten teacher (Erzieher*in): The average monthly gross salary of a kindergarten teacher in Germany ranges from €2,800 to €3,500 depending on the state and experience.
2. Nursery nurse (Kinderpfleger*in): The average monthly gross salary of a nursery nurse in Germany ranges from €2,000 to €2,400 depending on the state and experience.
3. Daycare assistant (Kita-Helfer*in): The average monthly gross salary of a daycare assistant in Germany ranges from €1,800 to €2,000 depending on the state and experience.
4. Au pair: An au pair in Germany is typically paid a monthly stipend of €260-€450, plus room and board, in exchange for providing childcare and light household duties.

Please note that these are just rough estimates and may vary based on the specific employer, location, and other factors. It’s also worth noting that wages in Germany are typically higher than in many other countries due to the country’s strong labor laws and high cost of living.

What kind of eductation you need and witch certificates you need as a foreigner?

To work in kindergarten and child care in Germany, you generally need to have completed a recognized vocational training program or academic degree in early childhood education or a related field. This is typically a three-year program in Germany, but there may be variations in different states or for specific job positions.

Foreigners who want to work in these fields in Germany will need to have their education and qualifications recognized by the relevant authorities. Depending on the specific circumstances and the country where the education was obtained, this process can involve submitting documents and undergoing an evaluation of educational credentials. It’s important to note that the requirements for recognition of foreign qualifications can vary depending on the profession, the country of origin, and the state in Germany where the applicant intends to work.

For example, if you obtained your education outside the European Union (EU), you may need to have your qualifications assessed by the Central Office for Foreign Education (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen, ZAB). This organization evaluates foreign qualifications and issues a statement of comparability that can be used to apply for jobs in Germany.

Additionally, many employers may require proof of German language proficiency, particularly for positions that involve direct interaction with children and families. German language requirements can vary depending on the job position and employer, but typically range from B1 to C1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Overall, if you’re a foreigner interested in working in kindergarten and child care in Germany, it’s important to research the specific requirements for your situation and seek guidance from relevant authorities or organizations.

Do i have to talk in german or are there international jobs for english speaker too?

To work in kindergarten and child care in Germany, you will likely need to have at least a basic level of proficiency in German. This is because you will be working with children and families who primarily speak German, and you will need to be able to communicate effectively with them.

Most job postings in these fields will require applicants to have a certain level of German proficiency, which can vary depending on the specific position and employer. For example, some employers may require a B1 level of German proficiency on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), while others may require a higher level of proficiency, such as C1 or C2.

That being said, in some international schools or programs, there may be opportunities to work in English-speaking environments or with bilingual children. Additionally, there may be certain jobs in Germany, such as working with refugee children or families, where knowledge of other languages may be an asset.

Overall, it’s important to have at least a basic level of German proficiency if you want to work in kindergarten and child care in Germany. However, the specific language requirements will depend on the position and employer, so it’s important to check the job requirements before applying.