Group photo of the Loebrauck childcare center
News
16.07.2026 Ifenna Ekezie 1503

New childcare center in Marl to Open on August 1, 2026

(Marl, July 16, 2026) With the opening of the newchildcare center on August 1, the pme Familienservice is expanding its childcare services in North Rhine-Westphalia: The facility will be operated by Global Education gGmbH as part of the pme Familienservice and is the childcare center 20th childcare center in NRW. 

The childcare center is located in a natural setting in the Loebrauck development area in Marl and features a spacious outdoor area. In bright, welcoming group and activity rooms, the children have plenty of space to play, explore, and feel at home. 

Susanna Paßlick, Regional Manager:

"We see ourselves as a facility that complements the family. Working in partnership with parents is very important to us, and we rely on their active participation and involvement."

Care Philosophy and Services Offered by the childcare center

In the future, up to 75 children aged 4 months to 6 years will be cared for in four groups. The facility is committed to a family-oriented educational approach with the following priorities:  

  • Inclusion: The childcare center inclusive educational principles and focuses on the children's individual skills, strengths, and needs. 
  • Movement Approach: Our educational program is based on the approaches of Emmi Pikler and Elfriede Hengstenberg and promotes motor development and independence. 
  • Animal-Assisted Education: By caring for and tending to animals, children learn responsibility and gain a basic understanding of the environment. 
  • Media Education: Children are given an age-appropriate foundation for using digital media competently and creatively—for designing, exploring, and documenting. 
  • Child Protection: A mandatory protection plan safeguards children’s right to an upbringing free from violence and strengthens their rights and self-awareness. 
  • Nutritious Meals: Regional, seasonal, and balanced meals are prepared in the kitchen. Meals include breakfast, lunch, and a snack. 

Family-Friendly Thanks to a Flexible Childcare Model 

At the childcare center , parents can choose from flexible care options based on their needs: 25, 35, or 45 hours per week. Care hours can be adjusted annually.  

  • Estimated opening hours: Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (Subject to change based on the annual needs assessment) 
  • Open House Days: Dates will be announced once the new building is completed 
  • Closure days: 20 days per year 
  • You canregister through theCity of Marl’schildcare center” online system 

Would you like to find out about available places or vacancies?  

Susanna Paßlick, Regional Director
Email: childcare center  

childcare center
Bertha-von-Suttner-Straße 19
45770 Marl 

More information about childcare center . 

Information about the group photo of childcare center: Top (from right): Taja Szeny, Gina Dilley, Marcia Dobiey, Nick Hölscher, Thomas Lödding (cook), Jennifer Wunderlich. Bottom (from left): Andrea Rose, Monja Karakurt, Maximilian Liese. 

The pme Familienservice learning worlds     

With over 90 childcare and educational facilities nationwide, pme Familienservice is one of the largest private providers of such services. pme Familienservice views providing working parents with childcare close to their workplace Familienservice a genuine commitment by companies to work-life balance. Its educational approach focuses on flexible care hours, healthy nutrition, and, above all, high-quality education.   More information about the pme Lernwelten.

About the pme Familienservice - work-life pioneer since 1991    

For over 30 years, the pme Familienservice has been Germany’s leading provider of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) and family support services. With more than 2,000 employees, the company supports employers and their employees in all aspects of life—from childcare and elder care to mental health and work-life balance.

Press contact   

Ifenna Ekezie-Gellersen  
Press and Public Relations  
pme Familienservice
Flottwellstraße 4-5    
10785 Berlin  
 
Phone: 030 263935622 
Cell: 0151 68940705 
Email:familienservice  

zero Working with Long Covid: a case study

Woman with long covid with mask
Body & Soul
10.11.2022 Christin Müller 24134

Working with Long Covid: a case study

Long Covid patients are on sick leave for up to 105 days on average. Company integration management helps employers to reintegrate affected employees back into the workplace after a long period of absence.

IT project manager: "I could no longer cope with my work physically and mentally"

Sandra Schulze*, 42 years old, IT specialist in a medium-sized company, is affected by Long Covid. A Covid disease with an initially moderate course in November 2021 changed her life abruptly. Tiredness, difficulty concentrating and muscle pain have been daily companions in her job and private life ever since.

The journey to the shops or to work became torture for her: loud voices, the bright lights in the subway, her constantly ringing phone, the exhausting video calls - the simplest tasks were exhausting and almost impossible to cope with. Her GP pulled the ripcord and put the project manager on sick leave.

A clear case for occupational integration management

After six weeks of incapacity for work, the employer offered her the company integration management program.

The BEM process is a legally binding standard procedure in accordance with SGB IX §167 , which serves to reintegrate employees after a long period of incapacity for work. It is carried out if a sick employee has been unable to work for at least six weeks in a row or in total within a 12-month period.

This is intended to support the return to work, prevent a renewed incapacity to work and maintain the job.

Christiane Weidemann, BEM consultant at pme Familienservice, has already managed several long Covid cases: 

"Around one in ten people who are infected with the coronavirus still have symptoms weeks later. The variety of symptoms makes it difficult for those affected and many doctors to recognize a long Covid illness. They may also feel ashamed and guilty towards the company or colleagues because they are no longer able to perform their work at 100%. It is therefore important to take those affected seriously."

How does the BEM process work in the company?

The BEM process is clearly structured: "First, we contact the person concerned and offer a non-binding consultation. In this meeting, we provide information on fundamental questions about the BEM, e.g. the legal basis and data protection, as the consultations are subject to confidentiality. Unless the person concerned agrees to the manager, the works council or other persons being involved," explains Christiane Weidemann. "After this initial information meeting, the employee is free to decide whether they want to take part in the BEM process. If they decline, the process is complete." 

Sandra Schulze opted for the BEM process and also decided to involve her manager directly. After an initial meeting with the BEM expert, she quickly realized that she was in good hands. "I felt understood by Ms. Weidemann right from the start. She took me and my concerns very seriously and immediately showed me various ways in which I could improve my health situation. She also helped me to find suitable doctors with Long Covid experience and to apply for rehab. We also discussed a suitable re-entry strategy with my employer. This strong support gave me a good feeling".

Re-entry with Long Covid step by step

After a good eight months, Sandra Schulze was finally able to return to work and gradually increase her working hours - thanks to lots of short breaks, a tandem project partner who relieved her of a lot of extra work, close coordination loops with her boss and a limited number of virtual meetings. She was also able to take advantage of various relaxation programs through her employer, which helped her to continue to strengthen her health after rehab. She still suffers from milder symptoms today: "I can only concentrate fully on my work for a few hours a day. I usually work from home, as the journey to the office is simply too strenuous for me on some days. Unfortunately, the headaches are still a daily companion, but they are much more manageable."

The support Sandra Schulze experienced from her employer is something she wishes other people with a similar fate could also enjoy.

*Name changed.

 

pme health: Effective BGM in blended learning format 

Organizational consulting, GBU Psyche, BEM: Our occupational health management (OHM) services are characterized by their holistic approach and individuality. From strategy development, needs analysis and implementation of measures through to evaluation, we establish, supplement and optimize companies' occupational health management portfolios in order to keep their employees healthy, productive and motivated. 

Personal support for employees based on a new holistic mind-body & soul approach is one of our key factors and goes hand in hand with our blended learning concept. We combine digital and live formats to promote physical activity, nutrition, stress prevention and mindfulness and make our knowledge available regardless of time and place.