Intense demand for childcare services
Expanding Childcare Options in Bremen: New Initiative Encourages Qualified Daycare Providers
In an effort to address the growing demand for childcare in Bremen, Senator of Education Sascha Aulepp, along with PiB—Pflegekinder in Bremen and the Paritätisches Bildungswerk (PBW), has launched the Kindertagespflegeoffensive (Child Daycare Offensive). The initiative aims to incentivize individuals to qualify in the field of child daycare, thereby increasing the workforce and catering to the needs of the city's families.
The Child Daycare Offensive seeks to appeal to people in Bremen, offering them the opportunity to work independently or as employees in the childcare sector. Upon completion of the qualification, these individuals can care for up to five children in their own homes or work as second employees in a nursery.
Notable Interest Expressed
According to Judith Pöckler-von Lingen, managing director of PiB, the initial events held for the initiative have generated unexpected interest. At a first event in Vegesack, 140 people sought information, with more than 300 already expressing interest. As word spreads, organizers expect to reach even more potential candidates.
Declining Daycare Providers
While the number of daycare providers in Bremen has dwindled over the past few years, currently standing at around 220 compared to approximately 250 five years ago, the daycare providers in the city care for 900 children. With word of mouth leading to further interested parties, the pipeline for potential daycare providers continues to grow.
Revamped Courses for Immigrants and Increased Training Hours
The Paritätisches Bildungswerk is responsible for the qualification measure and has developed and adapted the courses to cater to a broader audience, including those who have immigrated. The PBW manager, Frauke Felix, notes that the high demand has necessitated the creation of new courses.
As part of the measure, a B1 language level is required, and the number of hours for theoretical subjects has been increased. The linguistic and pedagogical concept has been integrated, ensuring a comprehensive approach to qualification.
Job Opportunities and Practical Experience
The initiative has been designed in cooperation with the Federal Employment Agency and the Ministry of Labor. This collaboration offers numerous employment opportunities for qualified daycare providers. Currently, participants are already gaining practical experience in daycare centers on a daily basis, demonstrating their commitment and interest in the field.
** expect 50 New Staff Members by Autumn**
By autumn, it is anticipated that 50 new daycare providers will be qualified and ready to join the workforce. This could potentially allow for the care of an additional 250 children, making a significant impact on the childcare landscape in Bremen. Further courses are already underway; some will even be offered decentrally, such as in Blumenthal.
** Addressing the Shortage of Skilled Workers**
The shortage of skilled workers in childcare is a challenge facing not only Bremen but also Lower Saxony. To address this issue, new large-scale daycare centers are being developed. The first of these will open this summer in Vegesack, with the Hans-Wendt-Stiftung's former rooms in the Bürgerhaus Vegesack serving as the location.
In large-scale daycare, two daycare providers work together as employees and care for up to eight children under the age of three. The education authority has partnered with Familienservice Weser-Ems to run this innovative model.
Focus on Professional Image for Daycare Providers
The goal, according to Frank Gieselmann, board member of Familienservice Weser-Ems, is for politics to clearly position itself and develop a professional image for daycare providers. It is essential to attract and train motivated individuals to meet the ongoing demand for qualified childcare providers.
The small groups in these large-scale daycare centers are designed to mimic family environments while handling the bureaucracy. The first group in Vegesack will begin operation this summer, providing a model for potential expansion in Bremen and beyond.
For more information on the Kindertagespflegeoffensive and to express interest, visit bildung.bremen.de.
Enrichment data suggests that Germany is facing a demand for more qualified childcare workers, with urban centers experiencing high demand for daycare services. University initiatives are increasingly addressing the needs of student parents by providing on-campus daycare centers or facilitating access to local childcare services. While there is no specific data for Bremen, these broader trends indicate ongoing efforts to address the childcare workforce shortage and improve availability. Strong administrative and institutional frameworks ensuring process efficiency and facilitating the scaling up of services are crucial for translating interest into real-world improvements in childcare availability.
- The following learning opportunities are being offered by the Kindertagespflegeoffensive: online education in the field of education-and-self-development, focusing on child daycare, to increase the workforce and cater to the needs of families in Bremen.
- In an effort to enrich their learning, some university initiatives in Germany provide online education for student parents, focusing on education-and-self-development, with the aim of addressing the growing demand for qualified childcare workers, including in the urban centers experiencing high demand for daycare services.
