Denise Bayer and Verena Jozic have never regretted becoming childminders. Daughter and mother embarked on the "childminder" adventure together and now have their own small group that they look after at home. It was an easy step for them to take, as both had previously worked in childcare. However, this is not a must, as it is possible to start a career as a childminder even without previous professional experience in childcare.
"At an information afternoon at the competence center, we found out what you have to do to become a childminder," reports Bayer. "We found out that you can also run a children's nest or large-scale daycare at home. And that was suddenly a whole new and great option for us," she continues.
Her work allows the mother of two to kill two birds with one stone: "It has the advantage that I can also look after my children," says Bayer. "I can work and don't need external childcare."
The path to becoming a childminder: how to obtain the qualification
In order to become childminders, mother and daughter first had to obtain a basic qualification. The basic qualification was almost doubled and upgraded from 160 to 300 teaching units by the new administrative regulation on child day care in April 2021. It ensures a high standard and contributes to the professionalization of child day care. The qualification concludes with a colloquium.
With the basic qualification, childminders are trained for the job. Participation is a prerequisite for obtaining a care permit. 50 teaching units prepare participants for the job, after which they can obtain a care permit and start providing care if all other requirements are met. A further 250 teaching units support the practical work.
Bayer and Jozic describe the course as varied and interesting. "I thought the course would be boring for me as a specialist. That's actually not the case. My training was over 20 years ago. I hear and learn a lot of new things on the course," reports Bayer.
In addition to developmental psychology topics, key topics such as child protection and inclusion also play a major role, as does preparation for self-employment as a childminder.
Course participants well supported from day one
Each course is supervised by a permanent course instructor. Martina Hardwig and Celia Faißt from the Competence Center for Child Daycare at the Ludwigsburg District Office run the courses and are on hand to offer advice and support to the prospective childminders. "Each participant has a fixed course leader who is their contact person for the entire basic qualification. They also have a specialist educational advisor at their side who is available to answer any questions they may have about childcare," explains Hardwig.
After the first course with 50 teaching units, the aim is to prove whether you have what it takes to become a childcare provider: "During an interim reflection, the participants present their concept to us," explains Faißt. "At the end of the qualification after course two, the colloquium takes place, where a case study is discussed and the further developed concept is presented again." It is quite possible to fail the colloquium, says Faißt. However, this has not yet happened. "In principle, however, we assume that the participants who are admitted to the colloquium will pass. After all, they are at the end of a long qualification process at the time of the colloquium," adds Hardwig.
And what do she think you need to bring to the table as a childminder? "You have to have a certain openness." A willingness to cooperate is also important, says Faißt.
The course instructors and childminders agree on one thing: "Love for children comes first. It doesn't work without that," summarizes Jozic. "Childminding is not just a profession that is all about earning money. Childminding is a profession that you have to put your heart and soul into."
Regular information events on qualifications and the profession
From 15 to 21 April 2024, the nationwide campaign week "Gut betreut in der Kindertagespflege" will take place with the aim of raising public awareness of childminding as an important pillar of childcare and highlighting the valuable work of the many childminders. Further information on the campaign week as well as basic information on qualifications and childminders in general can be found on the homepage www.tageseltern-lb.de.
Online information events are also held regularly for all interested parties. The next event is on Tuesday, April 30, at 9.30 am. The following link will take you to the event: https://landkreis-ludwigsburg.webex.com/landkreis-ludwigsburg/j.php?MTID=m8cdb05ab6a676ed679be27bc2aafc6a2
