Maren Kürger (former director) and Connor Schinkewitz (assistant director) from CompanyKids Königskinder in Hanover
News
18.09.2026 Ifenna Ekezie 175

20 Years of CompanyKids Königskinder: childcare center Celebrates a Major Anniversary

Hanover, September 1, 2026 – CompanyKids Königskinder celebrated its 20th anniversary on Wednesday. As the first company-run daycare center in Hanover, the facility—with its two groups—has provided families with a reliable place where work-life balance is a reality since its founding. To mark the occasion, the center hosted a special art opening: Under the theme “Yayoi Kusama,” the children presented works they had created over the course of several months in the workshops at the “ childcare center .” 

Thanks to the Team and Founders 

“Twenty years—at first glance, that sounds like a long time. And yet it’s clear that this place thrives because of the people who shape it,”said Regional Director Linda Kiryakos in her anniversary speech. 

Special recognition was given to Maren Krüger, the facility’s former director, for her many years of work in establishing and continuously supporting the facility, as well as to Nicole Jardon for her early leadership partnership.

A very special thank you went out to Nicole Herbst: After previously working in childcare, she returned to the field and now, as director, shapes the “ childcare center ” with a focus on pedagogy, consistency, and new ideas. Connor Schinkewitz was also welcomed as the new assistant director, bringing fresh perspectives to the team. 

An Opening Reception to Celebrate the Anniversary 

The CompanyKids Königskinder program is based on the principle of workshop-style education —with a focus on free experimentation and sensory discovery. This concept also served as the framework for the anniversary exhibition themed “Yayoi Kusama”:

For weeks, the children explored dots, circles, and curves—across all the workshops. The result was a collection of individual and group works that were lovingly arranged and displayed. 

To celebrate, numerous hands-on activities gave young and old alike the chance to get involved: A confetti table invited visitors to explore, touch, and feel; large cardboard building blocks could be decorated with dot stickers in the building workshop; and in the studio, light experiments using a projector and an overhead projector left everyone in awe. The exhibition allowed everyone to experience the children’s creativity and their joy in creating together. 

Postcards and canvases for a good cause 

The parent representatives actively supported the event: Postcards designed by the children themselves were offered for sale. Canvases, on which the children could experiment extensively with paint, were auctioned off. The proceeds will go toward a garden easel for the children—so that their creative work can continue outdoors as well. 

Contact information for CompanyKids Königskinder in Hanover 

Facility Director: Nicole Herbst 

CompanyKids Königskinder 

Königstraße 35, 30175 Hanover 

Phone: 0511 – 30025437 

Email: companykids.koenigskinder@familienservice.de 

More information:CompanyKids Königskinder

The pme Familienservice learning worlds 

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

About the pme Familienservice - work-life pioneer since 1991 

On behalf of more than 1,400 employers, the pme Familienservice Group helps employees successfully balance their professional and personal lives. More than 90 child care and educational facilities offer high-quality, flexible educational programs. The pme Familienservice Group operates in more than 70 locations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic and employs over 2,000 staff members as well as numerous experts from various fields. 

zero Vacation for family caregivers: how it works

Old woman in a wheelchair
Age & care
23.03.2026 Gabriele Strasser 38784

Vacation for family caregivers? This is how it works!

Many family caregivers would like to take a break now and then—perhaps for a vacation, when they’re sick, or simply to recharge. But what happens to the caregiving during that time?

The good news: Long-term care insurance supports family caregivers when they are temporarily unable to provide care. Benefits are available to help arrange substitute care at home or temporary care in a long-term care facility.
Since the 2025 long-term care reform, these benefits canbe used with greater flexibility.

Read more in this article:

Organizing respite care at home 

If family caregivers are unable to provide care—for example, due to vacation, illness, or other commitments—another person can temporarily take over the caregiving duties. This service is called respite care. Care can continue to be provided in the person’s own home . Various forms of support are available:

  • Care provided by family members (restrictions for close relatives).
  • Support from friends, neighbors, or other people you know well.
  • Use of an outpatient nursing service.
  • A team of several helpers.

Respite care can be arranged on an hourly basis (less than 8 hours per day), on a daily basis, or for several weeks (more than 8 hours per day).

Good to know!

For close relatives up to the second degree of kinship, the long-term care insurance fund reimburses twice the amount of the care allowance, but not the annual respite care budget.

Temporary care in a nursing facility (short-term care)

Sometimes it makes more sense for the person in need of care to be temporarily cared for in a facility. This is the case, for example, when

  • when family caregivers go on longer trips,
  • more extensive care is needed,
  • home care is temporarily not possible.

In such cases, the person in need of care can be placed in a nursing home with short-term care beds for a limited period of time.

In addition to nursing care, short-term care often provides social activities and structure in daily life. Many families also use it as an opportunity to get to know an inpatient facility without any obligation.

Who is eligible for respite care and short-term care?

People in need of care who have been assigned at least care level 2 and who are primarily cared for at home are eligible for respite care and short-term care.

Applications for benefits on behalf of the person in need of care are submitted to the relevant long-term care insurance fund.

Important to know!

There is no longer a specific minimum duration requirement for home care. In principle, these benefits can be accessed as soon as the recipient is classified at care level 2 or higher and the care is primarily organized privately.

How much is the relief budget?

Since July 2025, there has been a single annual respite care budget for respite and short-term care. Those in need of care have up to 3,539 euros per calendar year available for this purpose. This budget can be used flexibly, for example:

  • fully covered for respite care,
  • fully covered for short-term care,
  • combined for both services.

Both respite care and short-term care can be utilized for up to eight weeks per year . However, the actual duration of these services depends on how quickly the shared budget is exhausted.

Important to know!

In the case of daily respite care (8 hours or more per day, e.g., when the caregiver is on vacation), the care allowance is reduced to 50%, except on the first and last days of the absence.

For hourly respite care (less than 8 hours per day, e.g., for an afternoon yoga class), the care allowance continues to be paid in full. In the latter case, the joint respite care budget of €3,539 can be spread out over the entire year.

What should you keep in mind when planning a vacation?

When planning a vacation , it’s a good idea to think counter-cyclically: Most Germans take their vacations during the summer and Christmas breaks. As a result, care services and short-term care facilities have limited capacity during these periods. It’s easier to find alternative care options outside of the vacation seasons.

"I highly recommend that all caregivers take advantage of this budget provided by the long-term care insurance fund to give themselves a break. It allows you to recharge your batteries and step back from the daily routine of caregiving. For those in need of care, respite care or short-term care is often an interesting and enriching experience as well. Short-term care, in particular, is an ideal way to get a feel for living in a care facility for a short time, with no obligation." Jürgen Griesbeck, Product Manager for Homecare and Eldercare, pme Familienservice

pme Familienservice Group - Your EAP provider since 1991

On behalf of more than 900 employers, the pme Familienservice Group supports employees in achieving a successful work-life balance and being able to work with a clear head.
The pme Familienservice Group supports employees in crises, e.g. conflicts at work, addiction or partnership problems. With a homecare eldercare service, it relieves the burden on professionals in organizing and financing care services and offers psychosocial support. The pme Academy offers seminars, workshops and coaching on the topics of personnel management and development.
You can find out more about the pme Familienservice Group here: www.familienservice.de/wer-wir-sind

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