Childcare provider

Care provided by a child care provider has become an integral part of child care in recent years. It is no longer used merely as a temporary solution, but is deliberately chosen as an alternative to daycare.

One advantage of child day care is that the hours are often more flexible. This can be particularly helpful for families with shift work, irregular work schedules, or business travel, as these needs are not always met by the hours of operation of child care facilities. In many regions, care provided by a daycare provider is also a readily available option for children under the age of three.

In addition, many parents appreciate the intimate, family-like environment with small groups, where children can receive individualized support.

Daycare providers nationwide hold a recognized qualification and complete comprehensive training. Upon completion, they receive a nursing license and are eligible for state funding.

Supervision of child day care centers is the responsibility of local youth welfare offices and is handled differently from region to region. Therefore, ask to see the child care provider’s valid child care license, and if necessary, also ask to see an extended criminal background check.

In many places, childcare provided by child care providers is now subsidized in much the same way as a spot in a daycare center, so that you, as parents, only pay a “parent contribution” toward the childcare costs. Our expert advisors will be happy to explain how this is handled in your municipality, or you can contact the relevant youth welfare office for more information.

How to Find the Right Childcare Provider

During an initial, no-obligation meeting, you can determine whether the child care provider is a good fit for your family. The following questions are particularly helpful in this regard:

• How many children are cared for, and what age groups do they come from?
• What childcare hours are offered, and can they be adjusted by arrangement?
• What motivation and educational philosophy underlie this work?
• What qualifications and training does the child care provider have, and does she regularly participate in continuing education?
• What is the family situation in the household? Are the caregiver’s own children also being cared for, and how does the community view the caregiving work?
• Are the facilities child-friendly and large enough?
• What play equipment is available, and what outdoor activities are offered?
• How are meals organized, and what does a typical meal plan look like?

Another equally important aspect is the impression you make when you first meet someone. If possible, bring your child to the meeting and observe how the child care provider interacts with your child. If your child is old enough, their perspective after the appointment can also provide valuable insights.

You can find more information on this in our checklist for child day care.

Large-Scale Day Care

A combination of a family-like setting and institutional care

Large-scale daycare is a relatively new form of childcare. Two or three child care providers work together to care for up to ten children in specially rented rooms. It combines the intimate atmosphere of day care with elements of institutional care.

Compared to providing care in one’s own home, the qualifications required of daycare providers are often more stringent. Depending on the municipality, there may be a requirement that at least one caregiver have training in early childhood education or several years of experience in child care.

When making their choice, parents should consider criteria similar to those they would use when selecting a child care provider. It is also important to note that the childcare contract is always signed with a specific daycare provider to whom your child is permanently assigned.

In many municipalities, large-scale daycare receives public funding similar to that for a daycare spot. Parents then pay only an income-based parental contribution. You can obtain information about local regulations from the relevant youth welfare office.