In view of the long waiting lists for daycare centers, childminders are more in demand than ever. For this reason, the Birkenfeld District Youth Welfare Office and the Idar-Oberstein Municipal Youth Welfare Office, in cooperation with the District Adult Education Center, are once again offering a course to qualify childminders, which starts on Friday, February 16, 2024 and is scheduled to conclude with an examination at the end of September 2024.
Enjoying working with children is certainly the most important prerequisite for working as a childminder. When dealing with children, skills such as patience, imagination, reliability and resilience also pay off. You should also have experience in looking after children (your own or other people's) for this responsible job.
In addition, working as a childminder requires a proven professional qualification. Participants obtain this in a 160-hour course that covers all areas important for daycare - in particular legal principles, tax and insurance issues, pedagogical and psychological topics, developmental support and education, cooperation with parents, organization of the settling-in and farewell phase as well as hygiene standards. During this time, a 40-hour internship must also be completed. After passing the exam, the Youth Welfare Office issues a care license for a maximum of five children. In order for childminders to be sure that they are applying their newly acquired knowledge in the best possible way, they are supported for 50 hours during their first steps. As has been customary since the coronavirus crisis, the course is planned partly in person in Idar-Oberstein and partly online.
Information events will take place on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the youth welfare office of the Birkenfeld district administration and on Thursday, January 11, 2024, in Idar-Oberstein in the VHS pavilion at the technology department of the vocational school in Vollmersbachstraße. Both events start at 4.30 pm.
- If you are interested in taking on this task in the area of the Birkenfeld District Youth Welfare Office or the Idar-Oberstein Municipal Youth Welfare Office, please contact Sandra Schindler-Lörsch, Birkenfeld District Youth Welfare Office, telephone 06782/15-234. The youth welfare offices provide information on all questions relating to the work and remuneration of childminders and advise parents who would like to have their child looked after in daycare as an alternative to daycare centers, and arrange childminders.